TRAVADO can make the most of the 10lb he receives from Coulton to lift Exeter's William Hill Haldon Gold Challenge Cup for the fourth consecutive time. Nicky Henderson's 10 year old has returned from his summer break to contest this race for each of the past three seasons, and on each occasion he has been successful.
He began the sequence in 1993 when beating Deep Sensation by 20 lengths and followed up a year later when accounting for Absalom's Lady by three.
By the time the race was run 12 months ago, bookmakers had got wise to Travado's habit of winning it. Sent off the 30 to 100 favourite, Travado duly trounced What's In Orbit by 12 lengths.
He followed up that victory with another win, his second, in the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon, and made the frame in his five subsequent starts.
Having finished third to Sound Man in Sandown's Tingle Creek Chase, he then chased home Dublin Flyer in the John Bull Chase at Wincanton before again filling second, this time behind Viking Flagship in the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury.
Travado is slightly below top class but he is nevertheless a very useful performer, a point emphasised by his fourth to Klairon Davis in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
Tracking the leaders during the early stages, Travado began to struggle as the principals asserted going to the third last and soon could do no more, beaten just over 11 lengths.
Evidently a horse who does not take much getting fit, Travado still appears on a reasonable mark and looks ready to celebrate his fourth win in the race.
Coulton made an encouraging reappearance for Oliver Sherwood when gaining his second victory in the Desert Orchid South Western Pattern Chase at Wincanton last month and must be respected, though his burden of 11st 10lb is sure to be taxing.
Sherwood may enjoy better luck with Dark Nightingale in the William Hill Index Mares Only Handicap Hurdle. The Strong Gale mare, who was beset by problems last season, appeared to have conquered them when making all in a four runner handicap at Wincanton on her return, beating Peter Monamy with ease. She should be able to follow up.
At Redcar, John Gosden's recent good run looks set to continue with Enriched in the Sycamore Handicap.
A daughter of the 1991 Derby winner Generous, Enriched ran out the cosy half length winner of a 10 furlong handicap at Newbury towards the end of last month.
. Charlie Egerton has the Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival as Mysilv's target this season. The Chaddleworth trainer said at Plumpton yesterday after scoring with Bayerd in the opener: "Mysilv is having a bit of a rest after a hard time in her French races, and should be seen out after Christmas.
"She is not good enough for the Champion Hurdle and needs a trip. The mare also has not had enough experience for the fences at Cheltenham at this stage so it is the Stayers' for her."
