Racing: Hill to be overshadowed by Summit

For at least six weeks, ever since the Siberian winds arrived to disrupt every training programme from Cornwall to Middleham, the front end of betting on the Cheltenham Gold Cup has been boringly familiar. Take a last look at it this morning, however, since the next two days could leave many bookmakers with writer's cramp, as prices are revised and then scribbled out with each turn of events.

Four of the first six names in William Hill's Gold Cup list, Imperial Call, Coome Hill, Dorans Pride and The Grey Monk, will face the starter over the weekend. The good news for British punters is that most will be available for on-screen scrutiny now that tomorrow's Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown is to be squeezed into BBC2's coverage of snooker and bowls.

Today, though, Coome Hill, Walter Dennis's winner of the other Hennessy at Newbury in November, attempts to give 4lb and upwards to an excellent field in the Agfa Diamond Chase. Coome Hill's position in the Festival betting, second-favourite at around 6-1 and two points shorter than One Man, is something of an affront to strict form students. They point out that his victory at Newbury came from a handicap mark of just 136.

It is another measure of how far he needs to go to reach the top flight that, had Unguided Missile, a 25-1 chance for the Gold Cup, taken his chance today, he would have been asked to give Coome Hill all of 10lb.

At Dennis's yard, too, there is some puzzlement over their runner's elevation in the betting markets. "We're all baffled, really," Tim Dennis, the trainer's son, said yesterday. "The Hennessy was only his second race in open handicap company, and I can't understand how he's shortened so much. We'll find out a lot more at Sandown."

The Agfa Chase did not originally figure on Coome Hill's itinerary, but the lack of rain - January 1997 was the driest for 200 years - has forced the stable's hand. "We'd be happier if there was a bit of cut in the ground," Dennis said, "but he's got to have a run before the Gold Cup and I can't foresee any rain for some time, if at all. It's pretty desperate stuff."

If Coome Hill truly deserves to be second-favourite for the Gold Cup, and not merely a talented and interesting 16-1 chance, he surely must win today. It may be instructive, though, that Dennis feels that "hopefully, after this weekend the pressure might be off us a little bit." This is a tough assignment for Coome Hill, and any value surely lies elsewhere.

Major Summit (next best 1.50), who gets 13lb from the top weight, makes far more appeal, particularly given his liking for Sandown and the recent emergence of Josh Gifford's string from a lean spell. A horse who narrowly beat Major Summit earlier this year, Aardwolf (12.45), should emphasise his chance in the opening race, while Ground Nut (1.20) looks the best option in a very disappointing Agfa Hurdle.

The handicap hurdle is much more inviting, and Charlie Mann's TARRS BRIDGE (nap 2.25) is the one to back. Blinkers improved him considerably at Cheltenham last time, he goes well fresh and prefers a sound surface, all of which makes him an outstanding bet at the Tote's early offer of 11-1. Chepstow's card holds little of interest, with Dakyns Boy (2.15) the only runner to make any appeal.

The original nine-strong entry for tomorrow's Hennessy Gold Cup has been reduced to eight by Michael Hourigan's decision to divert Dorans Pride to a less competitive novice chase (although, with See More Business among his rivals, it will certainly not be a Sunday stroll).

The Hennessy is still an exceptional race, however, and Imperial Call will need to be close to his Gold Cup-winning best to prevail. With The Grey Monk, runner-up to Coome Hill in November, also offering a form-line to the rest of the market, this contest could all but determine the prices on Gold Cup morning itself. Expect to see Imperial Call firmly barricaded into the favourite's slot when the betting shops open on Monday.