Splash Of Ginge team chasing famous Cheltenham double

There are likely to be more scenes of wild celebration in the Cheltenham winner's enclosure if Splash Of Ginge can achieve a notable double in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup.

Owner John Neild and the rest of the self-proclaimed 'Ginge Army' were dancing in the rain at Prestbury Park last month after the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained nine-year-old ploughed through the mud to spring a 25-1 surprise in the BetVictor Gold Cup.

Top-class performer Exotic Dancer was the last horse to win both major prizes in the same season 11 years ago, and Neild believes his pride and joy can repeat the feat.

He said: "We're always optimistic, but if the ground is soft or worse I really think he's got a great chance. They've had snow on the track and there's more frost coming, so you'd think it won't be any better than soft.

"There are only 11 runners and seven of them ran in the race last month. Anything can happen in racing with fallers and what have you, but our horse has won three times over fences and they've all been at Cheltenham, two being in big handicaps.

"He was travelling like the winner in this race three years ago when he fell and he then went back to Cheltenham on New Year's Day and won off a mark of 145. Even after going up 5lb for winning last time he's now rated 139. I thought 5lb was very fair. People have called him a lot of names, saying he's in and out and things like that. He can spring a surprise, but if the opportunity is there he'll make the most of it."

While his focus is very much on the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup, proud Liverpudlian Neild already has one eye on a potential tilt at the Grand National in April.

Born just around the corner from Aintree, Neild used to play football between the famous fences as a child and admits it would be beyond his wildest dreams to have a runner in the race.

He added: "If he wins on Saturday or runs well and goes up another three or four pounds, I think that will make our decision to aim for the National. I've said all along he'll only run if the ground is soft, but I have no worries about his stamina - he'll stay all day. In a drunken state I had £1,000 on at 1000-1 for him to win the National, so it would be incredible to get him there."

Paul Nicholls saddled the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup winner for a record fourth time when Frodon prevailed 12 months ago and is triple-handed.

Clan Des Obeaux will have to defy the welter burden of 11st 12lb, but was seriously impressive on his latest appearance at Haydock. The multiple champion trainer also sends into battle BetVictor third and fifth Le Prezien and Romain De Senam.

Nicholls said: "Clan Des Obeaux loves it soft and was impressive the last day. He is a five-year-old with 11st 12lb, which is not easy, but he has improved for a wind operation and running in small fields the last twice has helped his confidence. He is in good shape.

"Romain De Senam does not want it too soft, but that track has not been watered so it will be different ground to the last meeting. I've often found that horses that have run ordinary races at the first meeting have gone well in the second one on the different track.

"Le Prezien is in good form and we just need him to jump better.

"All three are in good form and all three will run tidily, I would say. Clan Des Obeaux is probably the better one of the three, long term, but they are all nice horses."

David Pipe is full of hope Starchitect can gain revenge on Splash Of Ginge this time around.

Pipe said: "Hopefully he has got a decent chance. He won't mind what the ground is as he has got form on everything. I always thought he would be better on better ground, but I don't think we can use that as an excuse. Hopefully it is us and Splash Of Ginge fighting out the finish again. He seems to have come out of well and it comes at a good time since his last race, so it is a case of fingers crossed.

"He ran a cracker last time - it was probably the best race of his life - but it was frustrating at the time. He has been put up 4lb and I think that is fair enough. When you finish second in a big race like that, you have to go up like that. He deserves to get his head in front in a good one."

Ballyalton has suffered his fair share of injury problems, but trainer Ian Williams reports his charge to have had a good preparation for his latest assignment.

The Alvechurch-based handler said: "He's all set. We've had as good a run as we could have hoped for since his last run and we are very happy with him. We're looking forward to the race and we'd be happy if the ground isn't quite as desperate as it was for the last meeting."

Nicky Richards feels Guitar Pete did not have the opportunity to show his true colours a month ago.

The Greystoke-based trainer said: "Guitar Pete is in great fettle and the BetVictor Gold Cup was just a non-event for him, really. He got badly hampered at the first and basically that was the end of the story. I am quite sure he can be competitive on Saturday. He is a tough little horse and should run a good race, provided he gets that bit of luck you need in these big handicaps."

Course-and-distance winner King's Odyssey is a leading contender for Evan Williams after he blew away the cobwebs when third over an inadequate trip at Carlisle last month.

The Welsh trainer told At The Races: "He ran a very pleasing race at Carlisle. It was nice to see his enthusiasm back and he stayed on nicely in the closing stages. His best form is around Cheltenham, but we haven't seen it for a bit. He had a fair fall in this race last year and never really ran as we hoped he might (afterwards), so it was nice to get that run under his belt to prove he was in good form with himself. I'd like heavy ground. All his best form is on very soft ground and the softer the better for him."

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