The 168-rated Aso has been allotted top-weight of 11st 12lb for the £160,000 G3 BetVictor Gold Cup (42 entries) at Cheltenham, details of which are revealed today.

Run over two and a half miles, the BetVictor Gold Cup is one of the most coveted handicap chases of the season and takes place on the second day of The November Meeting, Saturday, 16 November.

Aso (Venetia Williams) defied top-weight to win a G3 handicap chase on Festival Trials Day in January and then ended the campaign with a gallant second in the G1 Ryanair Chase at The Festival™ presented by Magners, both over intermediate distances. The nine-year-old, who is a 20/1 chance with BetVictor, took third on his comeback when upped in distance for the G2 Charlie Hall Chase over three miles at Wetherby on 2 November.

BetVictor's 6/1 favourite Slate House (Colin Tizzard) has been given 10st 5lb, following a dominant 11-length victory in the Matchbook Best Value Betting Exchange Novices' Chase over the course and distance at The Showcase on 26 October.

Saint Calvados (Harry Whittington, 11st 3lb) also triumphed at The Showcase, taking the two-mile Randox Health Handicap Chase in good style under top-weight. Three horses have won the Randox Health Handicap Chase, run over two and half miles until 2015, and the BetVictor Gold Cup in the same season - Johns Spirit (2013), Shooting Light (2001) and The Outback Way (1999).

Chris Gordon is eyeing a big run from second season chaser Highway One O One (10st 2lb), whose most recent start over fences saw him finish third in the G2 Cure Parkinson's And Hambo Foundation Silver Trophy Limited Handicap Chase at The April Meeting. Prior to that, his efforts included a good second in the Timeform Novices' Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on Festival Trials Day.

The seven-year-old, a 25/1 chance with the sponsor, warmed up for the BetVictor Gold Cup with an encouraging second in a handicap hurdle at Fontwell Park on 5 October.

Gordon said: "Highway One O One definitely goes for the BetVictor Gold Cup, provided nothing goes wrong between now and then.

"We know he handles the track well, having run a couple of solid races there last season, and it looks like he will have a lovely racing weight too.

"We thought about him starting him off Chepstow, but myself and the owner [Anthony Ward-Thomas] were due to go to the Czech Republic that weekend to watch the Velka Pardubice, so we decided to run a week earlier at Fontwell.

"I thought he ran a lovely race there and that should set us up nicely for Cheltenham a week on Saturday."

Cheltenham form is also held by rapid improver Siruh Du Lac (Nick Williams, 10st 8lb), who defeated Janika (Nicky Henderson, 11st 6lb ex 5lb penalty) and Spiritofthegames (Dan Skelton, 10st 8lb) in the G3 Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate Handicap Chase at The Festival™.

Janika has a 5lb penalty as a result of his victory in the G2 Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter on 5 November. His trainer Nicky Henderson also has Casablanca Mix (10st 12lb) among his five entries, who impressed in winning a Listed handicap chase at Market Rasen in July.

The three Irish-trained entries are led by Us And Them (Joseph O'Brien, 10st 10lb) and Articulum (Terence O'Brien, 10st 7lb). Both horses contested the two-mile G1 Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy at The Festival™, finishing second and third respectively behind impressive winner Duc Des Genievres.

Articulum returned from his summer break with a staying-on second behind stablemate Lakemilan in a grade B handicap chase over just shy of two and a quarter miles at Cork on 20 October. The nine-year-old is 25/1 with BetVictor.

O'Brien reported: "Articulum has a couple of entries at Navan and Naas this weekend, but I would say it is more than likely that he will go for the BetVictor Gold Cup.

"He is rated 148 over fences in Ireland, so I suppose 149 in England is OK. I would expect him to run up to his mark and if he could run a bit beyond it, he should be there or thereabouts - I think he can improve a bit.

"He has mainly run over two miles over fences, but he has won a couple of bumpers over two miles and three furlongs, as well as a point-to-point over three miles. I don't see the trip being a problem to be honest.

"I would like the ground to be on the easy side. I don't think the ground could be too soft for him."

Other notable contenders include Kalashnikov (Amy Murphy, 10st 13lb), a G1-winning novice over fences at Aintree last season, and Black Corton (11st 7lb), one of five contenders for champion trainer Paul Nicholls.

BetVictor Gold Cup - BetVictor prices:

6/1 Slate House

8/1 Janika, Kalashnikov, Saint Calvados, Spiritofthegames

10/1 Siruh du Lac

12/1 Casablanca Mix, Us And Them

14/1 Black Corton, Secret Investor

16/1 Brelan D'As, Capeland, Guitar Pete, Knocknanuss, Magic Saint, Springtown Lake, White Moon

20/1 Aso, Cepage, Count Meribel, Eamon An Cnoic, Happy Diva, Potterman, Whatswrongwithyou

25/1 Articulum, Charmant, Highway One O One, Sky Pirate, Warthog

33/1 Belami des Pictons, Dead Right, Dell Oro, Go Long, Gold Present, Got Away, Mercian Prince, O O Seven, Royal Village, The West's Awake, Western Miller

50/1 Demi Sang, Splash Of Ginge

Each-way 1/5 1,2,3,4,5

Sebastopol given 10st 9lb as weights unveiled for Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle

Leading fancy Sebastopol has been allotted 10st 9lb for the £100,000 G3 Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle (42 entries) over two miles, the highlight on the final day of The November Meeting, Sunday, 17 November.

Trained by Tom Lacey, Sebastopol is the 10/1 joint-favourite with Unibet alongside Fusil Raffles (11st 10lb) following an impressive seven-length success in a handicap hurdle at Wincanton on 17 October.

French import Fusil Raffles, one of eight contenders for trainer Nicky Henderson, is unbeaten in 2019, landing the G2 Adonis Juvenile Hurdle at Kempton Park in February and G1 Champion Four Year Old Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival in May.

The weights are topped on 11st 12lb by the 154-rated Le Patriote (Dr Richard Newland), who has not raced since landing the G3 Pertemps Network Swinton Handicap Hurdle at Haydock Park in May.

Others to note include Benny's Bridge (Fergal O'Brien, 10st 9lb), successful over the course and distance The Showcase last month.

Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle - Unibet prices:

10/1 Fusil Raffles, Sebastopol

12/1 Ecco, Gumball, Humble Hero, Janidil, Monsieur Lecoq, Quel Destin

14/1 Benny's Bridge, Epatante

16/1 Brain Power, Red Force One

20/1 Countister, Pic D'Orhy

25/1 Ajdali, Christopher Wood, Dame de Compagnie, Fanfan Du Seuil, Le Patriote, Lisp, Mohaayed, Nordic Combined, Project Bluebook, Rathill, Zanza

33/1 Beat The Judge, Brandon Castle, Didtheyleaveuoutto, Golden Spear, Hannon, Harambe, La Sorelita, Leoncavallo, Lust For Glory, Scaramanga

40/1 De Mazzaro, Man Of Plenty, Torcello, Quoi de Neuf

50/1 Monsieur d'Arque

66/1 Allez Dance, Grapevine

Each-way 1/4 1,2,3,4

The BetVictor Gold Cup

Grade 3 handicap chase, £160,000 total prize fund. Cheltenham, Saturday, 16 November. Two miles, four furlongs (2m 4f 44y). For four-year-olds and upwards. Penalties: after November 3, a winner of a chase 5lb. Entries closed October 29, entries revealed October 30 (42 entries). Weights revealed November 6. Five-day confirmation stage November 11, final declarations November 14. Maximum field size 20 runners plus 2 reserves.

 

Horse	Age	Wgt	Owner	Trainer
Aso (FR)	9	11-12	The Bellamy Partnership	Venetia Williams
Black Corton (FR)	8	11-07	The Brooks Family & J Kyle	Paul Nicholls
Janika (FR)	6	11-06 (ex5lb)	Simon Munir & Isaac Souede	Nicky Henderson
Saint Calvados (FR)	6	11-03	Kate & Andrew Brooks	Harry Whittington
O O Seven (IRE)	9	10-13	Christopher Hanbury	Nicky Henderson
Kalashnikov (IRE)	6	10-13	Paul Murphy	Amy Murphy
Casablanca Mix (FR)	7	10-12	E R Hanbury	Nicky Henderson
Gold Present (IRE)	9	10-10	John & Barbara Cotton	Nicky Henderson
Us And Them (IRE)	6	10-10	Burnham P & D Ltd	Joseph O'Brien IRE
Siruh du Lac (FR)	6	10-08	John White & Anne Underhill	Nick Williams
Spiritofthegames (IRE)	7	10-08	N W Lake	Dan Skelton
Secret Investor	7	10-08	Hills of Ledbury (Aga)	Paul Nicholls
Articulum (IRE)	9	10-07	Martin McDonagh/Paul Murphy/M Nixon	Terence O'Brien IRE
Magic Saint (FR)	5	10-06	John & Barbara Cotton	Paul Nicholls
Slate House (IRE)	7	10-05	Eric Jones, Geoff Nicholas, John Romans	Colin Tizzard
Cepage (FR)	7	10-05	The Bellamy Partnership	Venetia Williams
Belami des Pictons (FR)	8	10-04	Hills of Ledbury (Aga)	Venetia Williams
Count Meribel	7	10-04	Charles C Walker	Nigel Twiston-Davies
Mercian Prince (IRE)	8	10-04	Paul Murphy	Amy Murphy
Knocknanuss (IRE)	9	10-04	Hail Sargent Evans	Gary Moore
The West's Awake (IRE)	8	10-03	Sue Magnier	Edward O'Grady IRE
Highway One O One (IRE)	7	10-02	Anthony Ward-Thomas	Chris Gordon
Capeland (FR)	7	10-01	Kathy Stuart	Paul Nicholls
Happy Diva (IRE)	8	10-01	Will Roseff	Kerry Lee
Demi Sang (FR)	6	10-00	J P McManus	Ben Haslam
Royal Village (IRE)	7	10-00	R Triple H	Ian Williams
Potterman	6	10-00	James & Jean Potter Ltd	Alan King
Whatswrongwithyou (IRE)	8	10-00	5 Hertford Street Racing Club	Nicky Henderson
White Moon (GER)	7	10-00	Brocade Racing	Colin Tizzard
Guitar Pete (IRE)	9	9-13	Mrs Pat Sloan	Nicky Richards
Western Miller (IRE)	8	9-11	The Pantechnicons IV	Charlie Longsdon
Charmant (FR)	7	9-11	A Phillips & Mr&Mrs Sperling	James Ewart
Eamon An Cnoic (IRE)	8	9-10	The Angove Family	David Pipe
Brelan d'As (FR)	8	9-10	J P McManus	Paul Nicholls
Got Away (FR)	6	9-09	B McDonald and B Mellon	Oliver Sherwood
Springtown Lake (IRE)	7	9-09	Tim Syder	Philip Hobbs
Dell Oro (FR)	6	9-07	Galloping On The South Downs Partnership	Gary Moore
Warthog (FR)	7	9-04	Professor Caroline Tisdall & Bryan Drew	David Pipe
Sky Pirate	6	9-04	Lady Bamford & Alice Bamford	Jonjo O'Neill
Splash of Ginge	11	9-02	J D Neild	Nigel Twiston-Davies
Dead Right	7	9-02	J P McManus	Neil Mulholland
Go Long (IRE)	9	9-00	William & Angela Rucker	Evan Williams

42 entries

3 Irish-trained

 

The Unibet Greatwood Hurdle

Grade 3, £100,000 total prize fund. Cheltenham, Sunday, 17 November. Two miles and half a furlong (2m 87y). For four-year-olds and upwards. Penalties: after November 3, a winner of a hurdle 5lb. Entries closed October 29, entries revealed October 30 (42 entries). Weights revealed November 6. Six-day confirmation stage November 11, final declarations November 15. Maximum field size 24 runners.

Horse	Age	Wgt	Owner	Trainer
Le Patriote (FR)	7	11-12	Canard Vert Racing Club	Dr Richard Newland
Brain Power (IRE)	8	11-10	Michael Buckley	Nicky Henderson
Fusil Raffles (FR)	4	11-10	Simon Munir & Isaac Souede	Nicky Henderson
Mohaayed	7	11-07	June Watts	Dan Skelton
Quel Destin (FR)	4	11-07	Martin Broughton & Friends	Paul Nicholls
Gumball (FR)	5	11-05	Terry Warner	Philip Hobbs
Pic D'orhy (FR)	4	11-04	Mrs Johnny de la Hey	Paul Nicholls
Lisp (IRE)	5	11-03	Richard & Lizzie Kelvin-Hughes	Alan King
Monsieur Lecoq (FR)	5	11-03	Jane Williams	Jane Williams
Leoncavallo (IRE)	7	11-01	ValueRacingClubcouk	Dr Richard Newland
Countister (FR)	7	10-13	J P McManus	Nicky Henderson
Ecco	4	10-13	Colm Donlon	Paul Nicholls
Beat The Judge (IRE)	4	10-12	Ed Babington	Gary Moore
Christopher Wood (IRE)	4	10-12	Ms Sharon Kinsella	Paul Nicholls
Project Bluebook (FR)	6	10-12	J P McManus	John Quinn
Adjali (GER)	4	10-12	Simon Munir & Isaac Souede	Nicky Henderson
Golden Spear	8	10-11	John Breslin	Tony Martin IRE
Janidil (FR)	5	10-10	J P McManus	Willie Mullins IRE
Harambe	6	10-09	Niall Farrell & Friends	Alan King
Sebastopol (IRE)	5	10-09	C Boultbee-Brooks	Tom Lacey
Epatante (FR)	5	10-09	J P McManus	Nicky Henderson
Benny's Bridge (IRE)	6	10-09	Biddestone Racing I	Fergal O'Brien
Zanza (IRE)	5	10-08	Louisville Syndicate Elite	Philip Hobbs
Brandon Castle	7	10-07	I A Low & J S English	Neil King
Rathhill (IRE)	6	10-07	J P McManus	Nicky Henderson
Hannon (IRE)	4	10-07	D Kierans	John McConnell
Fanfan du Seuil (FR)	4	10-05	Crossed Fingers Partnership	Tom George
Lust For Glory (IRE)	6	10-04	Robert Waley-Cohen	Nicky Henderson
Dame de Compagnie (FR)	6	10-04	J P McManus	Nicky Henderson
Scaramanga (IRE)	4	10-04	Malcolm C Denmark	Paul Nicholls
Didtheyleaveuoutto (IRE)	6	10-04	J P McManus	Nick Gifford
Humble Hero (IRE)	5	10-03	Notalotterry	Dan Skelton
Quoi de Neuf (FR)	5	10-01	& Mrs William Rucker	Evan Williams
La Sorelita (FR)	4	10-01	K Alexander	Willie Mullins IRE
Red Force One	4	10-01	Done Ferguson Mason	Paul Nicholls
Allez Dance (FR)	5	9-13	Simon Munir/Isaac Souede	Willie Mullins IRE
Torcello (IRE)	5	9-13	Dan Gilbert	Shaun Lycett
Man of Plenty	10	9-11	G Thompson	Sophie Leech
Monsieur d'Arque (IRE)	5	9-11	Ian Lawrence	Dan Skelton
Nordic Combined (IRE)	5	9-10	Chris & David Stam	David Pipe
De Mazzaro (IRE)	5	9-09	John P McGovern	Tom McCourt IRE
Grapevine (IRE)	6	9-06	James Finch	Sophie Leech

42 entries

6 Irish-trained