RACING:Former winner War Of Attrition is "on track" for next month's Cheltenham Gold Cup, according to trainer Mouse Morris, though the handler admits he has slight concerns over the ground ahead of the race in a fortnight's time.
No horse has ever regained the Cheltenham Gold Cup but that is what War Of Attrition - and rival Kauto Star - will be out to achieve on March 13th.
"Touch wood, he's on track but I just hope they don't start watering, that's the only thing I'm worried about at this stage," said Morris.
"He's a spring horse and he does show much better form on good ground than the ground you get around Christmas time."
While Kauto Star will arrive at Prestbury Park on the back of winning his third King George, War Of Attrition is still searching to recapture his best.
The 10-year-old was at the top of the chasing tree before injury struck and he was off the track for nearly two years.
He won his first two races on his return but has struggled slightly since being pitched against the best.
"He's not been disgraced (since he came back) but I was slightly disappointed by him at Leopardstown in the Lexus.
"As long as he gets his ground I still think that (the Gold Cup) is his class. I don't think there's a whole lot between those at the top and the bottom this year.
"He arrived there in the John Durkan going really well and probably should have kicked on but he wasn't disgraced, he was staying on again and that was over two and a half.
"I can't pick one out of the Nicholls trio though, you have to fear him full stop," he told At The Races.
Meanwhile, Dominic Elsworth could be in line for the plum ride aboard Albertas Run in the Gold Cup — should Tony McCoy choose to partner Exotic Dancer.
McCoy has ridden last year's RSA Chase winner Albertas Run on all four of his starts this winter, including when second to Kauto Star in the King George on
Boxing Day.
The eight-year is a best-priced 20-1 with the sponsors for the Gold Cup, with his stablemate and Lexus Chase winner Exotic Dancer widely available at half the price.
The latter has been fifth and second in the last two runnings of the Gold Cup and trainer Jonjo O'Neill is expecting the 13-times champion to remain loyal.
He said: "I'd imagine Tony will ride Exotic and Noel Fehily, who has ridden Albertas a good few times, will be on Air Force One.
"In that case, Dominic Elsworth could ride him, and he is coming down to the yard to school him on Friday morning.
"The horse is in good form at home and but he does need to have good ground.
"Coming back to Cheltenham will help him and I think he has a big each-way chance if the ground comes up good.
"Exotic Dancer will also run in the race, and we left him in the Grand National to keep his options open."
The Queen's Barber's Shop will this weekend head to Newbury for a racecourse gallop to put the finishing touches to his preparation.
Nicky Henderson's seven-year-old was second in the Jewson Handicap Chase at the Festival last year and is a general 16-1 chance after relishing going a trip on his most recent start at Sandown in December.
Henderson said: "I haven't got any headaches with Barber's Shop. He is in good form and schooled the other day.
"Barry Geraghty will come round tomorrow morning and I will let him jump half a dozen fences and he will then go to Newbury on Sunday.
"I think the Gold Cup is better for him than the Ryanair as he has been around Cheltenham so many times in those two-mile-five-furlong races and they are fast and furious."