Racing:Barry Geraghty is looking forward to his first ride for the Queen when he partners Barbers Shop in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham tomorrow.
The Irishman is seeking his second success in the race after steering Cyfor Malta to victory for Martin Pipe in 2002.
He will be hoping to cement his new partnership with Nicky Henderson, the Seven Barrows trainer also having taken the valuable handicap chase with Fondmort five years ago.
"I jumped a few fences on him this morning and he seems well and I'm looking forward to it," said Geraghty. "He ran well last year in the Jewson and I'd be hopeful."
Barbers Shop was beaten a neck in the Festival contest by Finger Onthe Pulse, ridden by Geraghty.
"I beat him in that race but he's a promising young horse, he looks well and I've not ridden for the Queen before," he added.
Tom Scudamore rides the unknown quantity of the race, David Pipe's Piraya, a recent French import and 12-1 with the sponsors.
At a press gathering earlier in the week Pipe suggested that the five-year-old would run a very big race but Scudamore admits that until he has run connections will not know his true ability.
"It's his first run in England, he's done plenty of schooling and I had a sit on him the other morning and gave him a school and he felt like a nice horse," said Scudamore.
"Obviously we won't know until he runs and it is a high-class race but he gave me a nice feel, his form in France is plenty good enough and I'm hoping he'll run a big race.
"He felt well but they always do when they pass trees. He gave me a good feel but we'll just have to see," he told At The Races.
Bible Lord has been well supported through the week and trainer Andy Turnell was relieved to see him sneak into the race near the bottom of the field.
The seven-year-old won just once last summer but ran creditable races at Cheltenham and Aintree before putting in a satisfactory effort when third on his reappearance at Prestbury Park last month.
"I was pleased he got in the race as it has been the plan for a while with him. It was the likely target through the summer and it would have been a shame if he missed out," said the Wiltshire handler.
"He seems really well in himself but I am just a little concerned about the ground. I would prefer it if it dried up a bit, I would sooner see good, good to soft in places rather than soft, good to soft in places as it is at the moment.
"He ran a good prep race at Cheltenham last month but this is obviously a big ask and you can make a case for several horses in the race.
"I think this is his best trip at present. We could go further with him again in the future but this appears his best distance for the moment."
Jonjo O'Neill and Tony McCoy combined to take the prize with Exotic Dancer two years ago and rely on Don't Push It this time.
"He's in good form and he runs well fresh. It's a hard race to win, but we're hopeful of a good run," said Frank Berry, racing manager to owner J P McManus.
Silverburn remains head of the market at 7-2 with the sponsors to give champion trainer Paul Nicholls his first Paddy Power Gold Cup success.
Paddy Power Gold Cup, sponsors bet: 7-2 Silverburn, 6-1 Imperial Commander, 7-1 Barbers Shop, 10-1 Maljimar, Ouzbeck, Don't Push It, Bible Lord, 12-1 Piraya, 20-1 Ashley Brook, Stan, Sky's the Limit, Vodka Bleu, 25-1 bar.