Triolo D'Alene given Gold Cup go ahead
Triolo D'Alene is set to take his chance in the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup according to trainer Nicky Henderson.
Last Updated: 02/03/14 12:57pm
The Hennessy Gold Cup winner has a clutch of entries at the Cheltenham Festival, but a promising workout on Sunday morning convinced connections to go for the big one.
Henderson said: "He's very good. We were delighted with him. He worked really well.
"He's got to go somewhere, and it (the Gold Cup) looks a wide-open race this year."
Triolo D'Alene has not been seen since his accomplished defeat of Rocky Creek in the Hennessy at Newbury last November, having constantly been blighted by the wet weather.
He is also still in contention for the Crabbie's Grand National at Aintree in April.
Henderson now has an especially strong hand in the Gold Cup as he is responsible for last year's winner Bobs Worth.
Like Triolo D'Alene, the nine-year-old was put through his paces on the Mandown gallops on Sunday morning.
The Seven Barrows handler said: "He's in very good nick and was another who worked well.
"It was a good morning for us."
Henderson was especially happy with last month's runaway Doncaster scorer Vaniteux, who is now poised to contest the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle.
The trainer said: "We are excited by him and he worked very well.
"He's improved physically and mentally since his last run, so he's got to come into the Supreme, I think."