SQUIRE SILK, who ran out of time when a fast-finishing fourth in the Ladbroke Hurdle at Leopardstown on his latest start, can make full use of Newbury's lengthy home straight to net the £80,000-added Tote Gold Trophy today.
The meeting looked doomed when Berkshire was savaged by the weather at the beginning of the week but the card has been saved by the thaw, leaving the ground on the soft side of good.
Provided that his efforts in Dublin have not taken their toll - and the race was four weeks ago - Andy Turnell's seven-year-old looks to have excellent claims.
The winner of a five-runner handicap on his reappearance, he then finished a good fourth to Jibber the Kibber in the Tote Silver Trophy at Chepstow surrendering his chance with a mistake at the penultimate flight.
He disappointed in Sandown's William Hill Handicap Hurdle in December but his performance behind Dance Beat at Leopardstown earmarked him as a leading candidate for this race.
Racing in midfield during the early stages, he was denied a clear run when trying to improve his position on the run to the third last. Stoked up by Paul Carberry, once in line for home, he missed a couple of gears before finally getting going on the run-in and stayed on against the far rail 46 take fourth place close home, beaten three lengths
This time Newbury's straight will afford Carberry sufficient time to deliver his challenge and, with the ground softening as each flake of snow melts, Squire Silk is napped to win this prestigious prize.
Viking Flagship, winner of the Queen Mother Champion Chase in each of the last two years, has failed to show his form in two outings this season but is taken to come good in the Grade 2 Mitsubishi Shogun Game Spirit Chase, a race in which he fell last season.
