Andy Stewart is trusting in his partnership with Paul Barber to turn his luck for the better when Aiteen Thirtythree lines up for the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury.
The best Stewart can boast from his runners in the prestigious staying handicap chase is a fifth place, through My Will in 2008, while Barber has tasted success twice with the mighty Denman (2007 and 2009).
Aiteen Thirtythree seems to have a lot going for him as he is proven over the track and is in the care of Paul Nicholls, who has won the race three times as a trainer to add to his two victories from his riding days.
Stewart said: "He won the good novice chase at this meeting last year and won it very impressively. We know he likes Newbury and he's got a good weight on his back with Neptune Collonges keeping the weights down.
"Paul Barber has won the race a couple of times with Denman. The best I've ever done is when My Will was fifth a few years ago, so I'm really looking forward to it.
"If Great Endeavour stays the trip I think that's the one we've got to beat. I'm sure I'll be stood next to his owner David Johnson watching the race as we're good mates, and it should be a great day."
Nicholls was pleased with Aiteen Thirtythree's return to action four weeks ago, when second to Somersby at Kempton.
He said: "Aiteen Thirtythree has won twice around Newbury, is off a favourable weight, is in very good order and is ready to go. It was a good run the other day as we needed to take the freshness off him."
Great Endeavour's trainer David Pipe, whose father Martin landed the Paddy Power Gold Cup-Hennessy double with Celestial Gold in 2004, is confident stamina will not be an issue.
He said: "It's not long since the Paddy Power, but he seems to have come out of the race well. It looks like the ground is coming in our favour, drying out. With 10st 9lb he has a great weight - he's only got a 4lb penalty. I think he'll be all right over the distance and we'll leave the tactics to Timmy - he knows what he's doing."
More...
Quote Reply
