The prolonged saga of Suny Bay's participation in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup can end the way most journalists would appreciate - with a victory. The grey's trainer Charlie Brooks launched a vitriolic verbal assault on Newbury last week, claiming the ground was unsafe and the course treated jump racing as little more than an afterthought to the Flat.

He also warned that Suny Bay would not run in the £70,000-added Grade Three chase unless he felt the state of the terrain had improved.

But after walking the course on Thursday Brooks was satisfied it was suitable and gave the eight-year-old his blessing to run.

Suny Bay, a gallant if distant second to Lord Gyllene in the rescheduled Martell Grand National in April, has been aimed at the Hennessy ever since and despite his trainer's misgivings about the course, his preparation could scarcely have been better.

He made his reappearance in the Edward Hanmer Memorial Chase at Haydock earlier in the month and showed himself to be better than ever.

Starting second favourite in a field of 10, Suny Bay made all the running and had his rivals in trouble from the third-last fence, staying on to beat General Wolfe by 11 lengths.

He has a 4lb penalty for that victory, which gives him the unmistakable look of a well-handicapped animal.

Rain has fallen by the bucket-load during the week, making the ground good to soft on the chase course, which will be ideal for the son of Roselier.

Suny Bay once again has the assistance of Graham Bradley and the combination should be able to come out on top.

Pridwell's absence from the Grade Two Mitsubishi Mobile Phones Long Distance Hurdle should work to the advantage of Go-Informal. The Primitive Rising gelding was a very useful novice a couple of seasons ago, finishing second to Urubande in the Sun Alliance Novices' Hurdle at the 1996 Cheltenham Festival.

He missed the whole of last term with a leg injury but showed plenty of encouragement on his return over course and distance earlier in the month, finishing second to House Captain.

Sanmartino, successful at Kempton and Newbury this season, should prove too strong for four opponents in the Grade Two Equity Financial Collections Gerry Feilden Hurdle.

Newcastle's Grade Two `Fighting Fifth' Hurdle, a race which has lost its status as a stepping stone towards the Champion Hurdle, should go to Jimmy FitzGerald's Whip Hand.