Dunwoody gets the call

Saturday's Ascot winner The Toiseach is a definite runner in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday and will be ridden by Richard Dunwoody.

Trainer James Fanshawe requested the services of the former champion jockey on Sunday night provided he felt that the gelding showed he had recovered from his exertions by yesterday morning.

"James rang and said he wanted to see how the horse was this morning before making the final decision," Dunwoody's agent Robert Parsons said yesterday. "He confirmed the booking today and Richard is looking forward to riding him on Saturday."

Fanshawe is pleased with the progress made by the seven-year-old who was ridden by Tony Dobbin when landing Saturday's John Doyle Handicap Chase by 11 lengths from Court Melody.

"He has eaten up since the race and we're looking forward to Saturday," said the Newmarket trainer.

Meanwhile, Venetia Williams was under no illusions as to the task facing market leader Teeton Mill in Saturday's big race.

And the Hereford trainer, attempting to become only the second successful woman in the 42-year history of the race after Jenny Pitman's triumph with Burrough Hill Lad in 1984, admits the gelding's price for the Hennessy is "terrifying".

Teeton Mill, winner of the Horse & Hound Gold Cup at Stratford last season, emerged as the clear market leader for the Hennessy - he is quoted at 5-2 by Coral and 11-4 by William Hill - after winning the Badger Beer Chase at Wincanton earlier in the month by eight lengths from Menesonic.

Reminded of those odds yesterday Williams responded: "It's terrifying, especially as the next best horse is 8 to 1. But I don't know that that's a true reflection of the overall competitiveness of the race.

With the defection of Suny Bay at yesterday's five-day stage, Senor El Bettruti, who is also engaged in the Jacky Upton Handicap Chase at Newbury on Friday, could be asked to carry top-weight of 11st 10lb.

Susan Nock, trainer of Senor El Betrutti, victim of a heavy fall in the Murphy's Gold Cup at Cheltenham last time, has yet to reach a decision as to the grey's weekend target.