Mark Bradstock has high hopes Carruthers will run a big race for his Letcombe Bassett stables, near Wantage, in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday.

The six-year-old gelding, one of the leading novices last term, made a satisfactory reappearance when fifth under top weight to Ellerslie George in the Badger Ales Trophy at Wincanton earlier this month.

Connections said beforehand that he would need the run, and so he should be spot-on for this weekend’s £200,000 contest.

Bradstock said: “This race has been the plan since Cheltenham and he certainly has got stamina. He is an out-and-out stayer and stays all day.

“He is still only six and this year might be quite tricky for him.

“I do think that over the next couple of years he will develop into a serious Gold Cup contender.”

With Denman, the 2007 Hennessy hero and 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, set to shoulder the welter burden of 11st 12lbs, Carruthers gets in with a handy 10st 1lb, and holds a solid each-way chance at around 10-1.

Henrietta Knight has entered Calgary Bay from her West Lockinge stables, near Wantage. But the six-year-old is more likely to run in the preceding sportingbet.com Handicap Chase over two and a half miles.

Terry Biddlecombe, Knight’s husband, said: “Three miles and two furlongs is a long way and he is only a baby.

“He might go for the two miles and four furlongs race. He will have top weight, but he is a lot stronger and he will win a good race one day.”

l DOT’S Delight, trained by Mark Rimell at Leafield, near Witney, scored at Lingfield yesterday.