SAPHIR DU RHEU can make it second-time lucky in today's Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury.

The Paul Nicholls-trained seven-year-old was a beaten 9-2 favourite 12 months ago and not a lot has gone to plan since, including a temporary flirtation with a return to hurdles.

So much so that he is rather a forgotten horse ahead of this year's running of the historic handicap, despite the fact he is a stone lower in the weights.

A few onlookers appeared disappointed by his reappearance third to Antony at Ascot in the Sodexo Gold Cup – but Nicholls cut a positive figure in the paddock afterwards and was at pains to warn everyone how much he would come on for it.

With that in mind, there is every reason to have a go each-way at the very least as Nick Scholfield rides today's nap selection.

THISTLECRACK will not be a backable price in the bet365 Novices' Chase but will command as much attention as anything on the day and hails from the burgeoning Colin Tizzard yard, which has every chance in the Hennessy with Native River.

The World Hurdle hero will be having his third run over fences and while there was a blip or two on the way round at Cheltenham recently, it barely took anything out of the petrol tank.

He will be scrutinised closely, as befits his tag of Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite, with Tom Scudamore at the helm.

The aforementioned ANTONY, with Jamie Moore in the saddle, is the one to be with in the Sir Peter O'Sullevan Memorial Handicap Chase.

Gary Moore's charge made a real impression when he routed the opposition in that £100,000 race at Ascot and while his trainer thinks the Grand National at Aintree will come too soon this season, it is certainly on his agenda in the future.

APPLE'S JADE is taken to bounce back with Jack Kennedy on board for the stanjames.com Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle.

There were long faces aplenty when the dual Grade One winner was beaten at odds on for trainer Gordon Elliott at Down Royal, on what was her first run since leaving Willie Mullins as part of the Gigginstown House Stud exodus.

Elliott indicated she would in all probability step up in trip from two miles and that she would not be a Champion Hurdle horse on that effort.

Whether there has been a rethink on the latter, or it is simply a case of not looking the hottest contest for its type, is anyone's guess – but Elliott is feared whenever he travels one from Ireland, particularly one with her class.

Sceau Royal will offer the biggest danger but his two best performances have come on much quicker ground than this and he was well beaten behind Apple's Jade on soft ground at Aintree.

DEFINITLY RED looks bound to go well under Brian Hughes in the closing At The Races Rehearsal Handicap Chase.

The Brian Ellison-trained seven-year-old remains very much unexposed over the larger obstacles, having run just five times, with those efforts yielding a couple of wins and two runner-up finishes to top-class pair Black Hercules and Blaklion.

He looked better than ever when reverting to hurdles to make a successful reappearance at Carlisle last month and is tantalisingly weighted for his return the chasing game.