Pinkerton poised for December Gold Cup Cheltenham raid

Galway Plate hero Pinkerton looks set to bid for another major prize in the Nyetimber December Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday.

Also a winner at the Punchestown Festival in the spring, the eight-year-old provided trainer Noel Meade with his second victory in Galway’s €250,000 summer showpiece at the end of July, 10 years on from the triumph of his top-class chaser Road To Riches.

Pinkerton was last seen finishing second to Gordon Elliott’s subsequent Fortria Chase winner Found A Fifty in a Grade Two at Down Royal and was one of 14 horses to stand their ground for this weekend’s Cheltenham feature at Monday’s confirmation stage.

“He’s a probable runner. He’s got to work in the morning so we’ll see how that goes, but if the work goes good, there’s a good chance he’ll run,” said Meade.

“He’s in good form, I hope. We just want to get some blood tests done, as his blood was a bit off a fortnight ago. I’m hoping it’s back to normal.

“We wouldn’t want fast ground or anything like that, but I’m sure it won’t be and if he gets there well, he’d have his chance for sure.”

The December Gold Cup weights are headed by the Paul Nicholls-trained Stage Star, who will look to improve on his comeback run when fourth in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree.

Nicholls will also saddle Il Ridoto, who is out to complete a big Cheltenham double following his victory in last month’s Paddy Power Gold Cup.

The seven-year-old looks set to renew rivalry with plenty of those who finished behind him in the November feature, with the runner-up Ga Law (Jamie Snowden), the fourth home Madara (Dan Skelton) and the fifth placed Fugitif (Richard Hobson) – a thrilling winner of last year’s December Gold Cup over Il Ridoto – all in the mix.

The Venetia Williams-trained Gemirande, Alan King’s Grandeur D’Ame and James Du Berlais from the Willie Mullins yard also feature in a wide-open contest.