Racing/ News round-up: Nicky Henderson has given Irish Hussar the go ahead to run in Saturday's Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury and is to school the leading fancy in Lambourn today. Encouraged by the recent rain and a forecast of more later in the week, Henderson is set to pitch his seven-year-old in at the deep end for his first run of the season.

Speaking from Warwick, the Seven Barrows trainer said: "Newbury has had more rain than they have here and the plan is to run. Even if it's good to soft in places that will do and the horse is in great form.

"There is an alternative race at Sandown the following weekend but we feel that now is the time to ask him a serious question and at this moment in time he runs at Newbury."

Irish Hussar attracted support with Ladbrokes yesterday and has been trimmed from 6 to 1 to 11 to 2 joint-favourite with Strong Flow, trained by Paul Nicholls. Strong Flow is also in a novice chase at Newbury on Sunday and Nicholls reiterated that no decision has yet been made.

"We got some decisions to make. I'm having dinner with the owner tonight then we'll probably have a better idea what we are going to do," the Ditcheat trainer said yesterday.

"I have always said I will decide on Friday just to make sure he is right. If everything is right and we are happy with the ground the Hennessy is a strong possibility.

"There are lots of things to consider. He might look a good thing on Sunday in the novice chase which could be tempting so I'll have a good talk to the owner and we'll talk to Ruby (Walsh) and see what's right for the horse."

Robert Alner is happy with the condition of Sir Rembrandt, who has been backed down to as low as 8 to 1 in places despite being off the course since last December. "He had heat in his leg so we stopped with him and we've got him back now. We've been looking after him while the ground has been firm," said the Blandford trainer..

"We have had this race in mind for him as it's the first race really suitable to run him in. Hopefully the ground will be on the soft side of good so he'll take his chance." The ground at Newbury was still described as good yesterday.

Nigel Twiston-Davies indicated that his Hennessy hope Shardam may not repeat the forcing tactics which were employed so successfully on the gelding at Cheltenham's Open meeting when he beat Stormez by eight lengths.

"The horse has come out of it really well and the ground is irrelevant as he's won under all conditions," said the Cheltenham trainer, who sent out King's Road to win the Hennessy three years ago.

"I think he ran away with Carl (Llewellyn) at Cheltenham and I'm not sure whether the tactics will be repeated. He doesn't have to do it and at the end of the day Carl will make the decision."

One Knight pleased trainer Philip Hobbs at exercise today and remains firmly on course for the big race. Last season's Royal & SunAlliance Chase winner is 6 to 1 second favourite with William Hill to give Hobbs his second success in the race following What's Up Boys in 2001.

"He worked well and he's on target for Saturday," said Hobbs.