Monkerhostin faces small field

English Racing:  Monkerhostin completes his build-up for the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup, weather permitting, by facing just three rivals in the Aon Chase at Newbury today.

Philip Hobbs' King George VI Chase runner-up will lock horns with last year's Gold Cup second Take The Stand and the Martin Pipe-trained Comply Or Die.

Last season's Scottish Grand National winner, Joes Edge, completes the field for Ferdy Murphy.

Hobbs would have preferred a few more runners, but is not unduly concerned about the lack of numbers.

"It might not be ideal. A bigger field would probably have worked to his favour as he is a horse who is normally held up, but I'm not sure it's a big disadvantage either," said the Minehead trainer.

Should Newbury be lost to the weather, Hobbs would have to rethink plans for Monkerhostin ahead of the Gold Cup, for which he is 9 to 2 favourite with the sponsors.

Mick Fitzgerald expressed his delight after picking up the spare ride on Take The Stand, as Tony McCoy, who had been booked by trainer Peter Bowen, has been switched to ride at Warwick.

Fitzgerald said: "I've seen him plenty of times and he was a very good second when Dobbs (Tony Dobbin) rode him in the Gold Cup.

"He has the best form on offer from last year's Gold Cup so you'd hope for a bold show.

"He goes on quick ground, which will be a major plus."

The only horse among the Aon quartet not entered in the Gold Cup is Comply Or Die, who represents owner David Johnson and trainer Martin Pipe, rather than Celestial Gold.

"I had a multiple entry. I didn't want to run them all. I've not sure if racing will be on and the ground will probably be a bit on the quick side tomorrow. It will suit Comply Or Die," said Johnson.

Fitzgerald is also looking forward to teaming up with Kauto Star for the second time in the totepool Game Spirit Chase.

He replaced the injured Ruby Walsh when partnering the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding to victory in the Tingle Creek Trophy at Sandown in early December.

With Walsh sidelined again, Fitzgerald has the chance to continue his association on the six-year-old, who is favourite at around 2 to 1 for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at next month's Cheltenham Festival.

"He's a very good horse. I've ridden him once before and I've been down to school him. He felt fantastic and it's fingers crossed," said Fitzgerald.

Kauto Star faces five rivals the Grade One contest won last year by his sidelined stable companion Azertyuiop, the 2004 Queen Mother hero.

Nicholls also runs Armaturk, who was third in this race 12 months ago, while Martin Pipe is doubly-represented with Locksmith and Tamarinbleu.

All three of today's British National Hunt meetings are subject to early-morning inspections, although yesterday's meeting at Bangor managed to beat the frost.

Officials at Ayr were not so lucky as freezing overnight temperatures forced them to cancel yesterday afternoon's card.

Despite growing optimism today's meeting will be given the all-clear, Morshead has still called a 6.45am inspection.

"If the forecast is accurate then we should be okay," she said. "And if there is any frost tomorrow, then it should be minimal."

An inspection has been called for 7.30am at Newbury after the temperature got down to minus three degrees on Thursday night.