IF the luck presently enjoyed by owner Alistair Duff rubs off on his horse The Grey Monk, the hot favourite is already home and hosed in Saturday's Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup.

Duff, a retired company director, was recently reunited with a wallet and body belt containing cash and valuables that he lost on a trek to a remote amazon jungle 18 months ago.

He explained: "They had suffered through being out in the rainforest and they must have been a 1,000 to 1 chance to turn up at all, let alone intact.

"I lost them last February and I was very upset as I has bought the wallet on honeymoon almost 40 years ago.

Duff, on the board at Carlisle racecourse, is so delighted with the recovery of the belt and wallet that he has donated the contents in local currency to the Amero Indians who found his belongings.

He explained: "I feel it's the least they deserve for their honesty. That amount of cash was probably enough to have kept one of those families for an entire year."

Born in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle, Duff now lives in the village of Southwaite just south of Carlisle and he has a 60 per cent interest in The Grey Monk.

His son Roddy and trainer Gordon Richards are the other shareholders in the gelding who is unbeaten in seven races over fences, the latest of which saw him hammer former Gold Cup winner Jodami at Ayr.

But despite having an animal for whom he could name his own price, Duff insisted the horse is not on the market.

"He's not for sale at any price," he said. "I wouldn't even be interested if somebody offered me a large sum of money because I'm having so much fun with him.

"I never bet myself and all I want is for him to run well and, come back in one piece.

It could be quite a highland fling if The Grey Monk lands the first major staying chase of the jumps season and there are no prizes for guessing who'll be leading the way.