COOME HILL, the toast of Cornwall bolstered his Cheltenham Gold Cup claims when returning to a rapturous welcome after landing the Jim Ford Challenge Cup Chase at Wincanton yesterday.
The eight year old had blotted his copybook with an uncharacteristic tumble last time. But he was foot perfect for Jamie Osborne on this occasion, cutting out much of the running and coming home by a length and a quarter from Unguided Missile.
Bookmakers were impressed with Coral now the shortest at 11 to 2 for the Gold Cup. William Hill offer 6s with Ladbrokes the most generous at 7 to 1.
Trainer Walter Dennis expressed himself pleased with the going left handed around Cheltenham as this tight track would not have suited him.
"I think he will be better for this race as I haven't done a lot with him at home. It was a difficult time after his fall at Sandown as that put a bit of a cloud over things."
But Dennis admitted had not expected his charge to dominate the race. "I explained to Jamie how I'd like the horse ridden, but out there it was up to him as he knows him so well and knew he would stay forever," he said.
Osborne said: "We all realised this horse could get beaten if it became a sprint and it's made sense to make the running. I was very pleased with him and he's going to be very hard to get to the bottom of. I'm sure the Gold Cup and Grand National distances will suit.
"I went out there hoping Woody (on Unguided Missile) was going to make it a gallop but going to the first he's just sat there with the handbrake on so I thought I'd go on."
Coome Hill was installed 10 to 1 favourite for the Grand National with William Hill and Ladbrokes. Coral offer 12s.
Osborne added: "If he doesn't win the Gold Cup, the Grand National will be a hell of a consolation!"
Unguided Missile was far from disgraced, and a mistake two out hardly aided his cause. He will now join stablemate One Man, Addington Boy and The Grey Monk in the Gold Cup line up according to trainer Gordon Richards' son Nicky.
A copper and magnesium deficiency was diagnosed as the reason for Dreams End's poor recent form but he bounced back to his best to take the K J Pike and Sons Kingwell Hurdle.
Partnered by Richard Dunwoody, the 16 to 1 shot crept closer on the home turn before pouncing two out and galloping eight lengths clear of Romancer by the line to earn a Champion Hurdle quote of 40 to 1 from William Hill.
"He's run well as this tight track suits him but I must admit the rain getting into the ground was a bit of a worry," said trainer Peter Borwen. "He will take his chance at Cheltenham now but it's not really his track."
