Banbury trainer Paul Webber is expecting Cantlow to step up on his seasonal reappearance when he tackles the Paddy Power Gold Cup (2.30) at Cheltenham today.

The nine-year-old gelding, who is to be partnered by Tom O’Brien, was well beaten on his reappearance in the United House Challenge Cup at Ascot last month.

But the Mollington handler is anticipating a better display from the 20-1 outsider on the back of that outing.

He said: “The Paddy Power Gold Cup is horribly competitive, but it looks like the right race for him to have a go in.

Latest Sport news

“He is reasonably handicapped on some of his form – he is 1lb lower than when second in the December Gold Cup.

“He would not want bucket loads of rains, but we are hopeful.”

Jonjo O’Neill is confident Johns Spirit is at his peak ahead of his bid for back-to-back victories, even though the seven-year-old is joint-top weight this time.

O’Neill said: “It’s a tricky task in the Paddy Power, and I was surprised how well he won at Cheltenham last time.

“He’s gone up a lot in the weights and it was either a weak race or he was very impressive.

“But he’s a fair horse who is improving and in his prime.”

  • Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text NEWS or SPORT or NEWS AND SPORT, depending on which services you want, and your full name to 07767 417704. Save our number into your phone’s contacts as Oxford Mail WhatsApp and ensure you have WhatsApp installed.