Mark Bradstock is concerned that sticky ground could hinder Carruthers’ chances after giving his stable star the go-ahead to tackle Saturday’s Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury.

The seven-year-old got the green light to take on the likes of Denman in the £175,000 contest after working well on the gallops above Bradstock’s Letcombe Bassett stables, near Wantage.

Bradstock is in optimistic mood about the chances of the 16-1 outsider, who will get to run off 10st.

But with the going described as good to soft and no sign of rain, he has reservations whether conditions will suit his gelding.

Bradstock said: “He is in very good form and we are going at the moment. I think he has every reason to be there.

“You have to remember he is only seven and hopefully we have got his best years to come.

“I don’t know what the ground is going to be like. He is not a great big robust horse and sticky, gluey ground is not totally his cup of tea.”

Meanwhile, Irish hope China Rock has been ruled out after suffering a minor setback.