Harry Fry seeking Cheltenham BetVictor Gold with exciting recruit Kylemore Lough
Since leaving Kerry Lee's yard at the end of last season, Kylemore Lough has been building towards Saturday's BetVictor Gold Cup for his new trainer Harry Fry.
SATURDAY's BetVictor Gold Cup at Cheltenham could be a successful end to a long-term plan for Harry Fry's Kylemore Lough on his first start for the trainer.
Fry has had this valuable prize in mind ever since he was sent the Grade One-winning eight-year-old from Kerry Lee's stable after the end of last season.
"We've been grafting away at home and we are happy with his progress and what he has shown us," said Fry.
"He was top weight when fifth in the Caspian Caviar off 2lb higher than what he goes into Saturday's race. He has got a good record fresh as well, hence why we targeted the BetVictor when we mapped out his campaign.
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"The nice thing is that he turned up at the end of May. We were able to assess him, give him a break and start afresh with him. It is not as though he turned up a couple of weeks ago.
"This was always going to be his starting point."
Paul Nicholls had a plethora of entries for this race but relies on just the two chances, albeit two good ones, in Le Prezien and Romain De Senam.
"It was not always the aim for Romain De Senam until he won at Chepstow," admitted the Ditcheat trainer.
"He caught me by surprise a bit that day, but I think that race did fall apart and they went quite quick. "He ran again six days later, but I had to run him as he was going to go up 12lb. He won and won two good races in a week.
"I thought Le Prezien was going to get there most of the way (at Cheltenham last month), but he didn't.
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"He ran very well, he was only beaten a neck and obviously gets further than two. That was a good run. It sharpened his jumping up and two-mile-five probably suits him better than two miles."
Ian Williams enjoyed a big-race double last weekend with London Prize and Saunter, and reports Ballyalton to be in prime shape for this test.
"He is in great form. Tom (O'Brien) schooled him on Tuesday and he schooled very nicely for him," said the West Midlands trainer.
"He does come into the race with limited chasing experience against some of his rivals, but he has always performed well around Cheltenham and has enjoyed the track. We are looking forward to it, but it is a big ask."
Owner Barry Connell believes Tully East's liking for Cheltenham will stand him in good stead.
The seven-year-old, trained in Ireland by Alan Fleming, has performed creditably in two previous visits to Prestbury Park.
Templegate's TV Tips
1.50 Cheltenham - Mick Thonic: 'His defeat of Marracudja in May makes him nicely treated and Colin Tizzard’s hope has had excuses this season'
2.25 Cheltenham - Movewiththetimes: 'Smart hurdler last season and can improve on his chase debut with the step up in trip to suit'
3.00 Cheltenham - Auvergnat: 'Had a splendid prep run for today when third over hurdles at Galway last month and has the potential to improve this season'
3.35 Cheltenham - Vision Des Flos: 'Some effort to finish third on a tough hurdles debut and can reverse the form today'
"He's been there twice. He won last season and ran well in the Martin Pipe the year before," Connell told At The Races. "He seems to like the place and it looks an open enough race this year.
"Everything's gone well. We had a prep run over hurdles and he schooled over fences at Naas last weekend. We couldn't be happier.
"It's a nice pot. He's a course and distance winner and after he won in Cheltenham, we just felt it was the obvious race for him. It's a nice way to start off."
Champion trainer Nicky Henderson is double-handed with Theinval and Days Of Heaven while Nigel Twiston-Davies also has two in the race with Foxtail Hill and Splash Of Ginge.
Jamie Snowden's Double Treasure is seeking his fifth consecutive win and trainer Jamie Snowden feels the six-year-old is now ready to go up in class.
The Lambourn handler said: "He has got to improve again, but we think he has."