The noble Lord Oaksey, possibly the nicest man in racing, could be set for a memorable afternoon at Cheltenham as the strapping Carruthers lines up in the Gold Cup trial now known as the Argento Chase at 2.35pm.

Once a mainstay of Channel 4 Racing Lord Oaksey has been a tireless campaigner for the Injured Jockeys’ Fund for a number of years, and there’s no doubting who’ll get the biggest cheer of the day if seven year old Kayf Tara gelding Carruthers can stick his big head in front up the Cheltenham hill.

The absence of Denman (he goes for the Aon Chase at Newbury in a couple of weeks) will have disappointed the racecourse executive, but as long as the weather doesn’t strangle another keenly anticipated fixture (Clerk Simon Claisse tells me it’s forecast to be minus five tonight) they’ll be packing the stands at Prestbury Park for a meeting the crowds love.

You can’t get a hotel room for love nor money in Cheltenham tomorrow night, although depressingly my old pal Lord Culcheth will be in attendance and has already secured a duplex penthouse for the night in the town centre.

Expect the usual cougar hunting antics to be on display as he preys on any unsuspecting boozed up potential victims.

Back to the Argento though and the chances of headline selection Carruthers. He really appeals given that tissue favourite Madison Du Berlais has never been seen to the best of his sizeable ability here at Cheltenham.
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