DAVID NICHOLSON yesterday warned that leading fancy Billygoat Gruff is not certain to run in Saturday's Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup.
If he considers the ground officially good at present unsuitable at Newbury he will not risk the gelding, who is 6 to 1 second favourite for the £70,000 added contest with William Hill.
"It's got to be good to sort or he won't run," the trainer said. "My assistant Alan King is walking the course tomorrow.
Billygoat Gruff won three times on a soft surface last term, notably in the Heineken Gold Cup at Punchestown in April, and finished second to Cherrynut on his reappearance at Worcester a fortnight ago.
Grand National winning jockey Mick Fitzgerald has two strings to his bow as he bids for another big race success. Rough Quest's rider has been booked by brother in law Paul Nicholls to partner less than certain starter Belmont King.
And if that runner is pulled out today he will switch to Noel Chance's Midnight Caller in the three and a quarter mile event.
"I will decide tomorrow morning but if the ground stays as it is Belmont King won't run," said Somerset trainer Nicholls.
"But if they have some rain and it is good to soft he will go, with Mick Fitzgerald riding. We have had unbelievable rain this morning but it never seems to get further east than Wincanton!
"Mick schooled him here this morning and he went very, very well. But the Welsh National is his race and we won't risk him on unsuitable ground."
Noel Chance admitted his jockeyplans were "fluid" pending a decision from Nicholls but is hoping for a bold show from Midnight Caller despite a 12 month lay off.
"He's in great form," the trainer said. "He's had a year off but he's always run well fresh. Don't forget a year ago he ran from 11lb out of the handicap against One Man and Jodami at Ayr and was beaten only 18 lengths and I think he is a better horse now.
"He'll be 2lb wrong this time as he is 1lb out of the handicap and Mick would put up 1lb overweight but he is in great shape."
. Nick Bentley received a three day suspension (December 6th, 7th, 9th) for dropping his hands on Nonios in the Federation Brewery Handicap Hurdle at Hexham yesterday.
