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Rocky bidding for Hennessy Gold

Paul Nicholls trainer of Rocky CreekPaul Nicholls trainer of Rocky Creek
© Photo Healy Racing

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls is eyeing yet another big weekend winner as last year's runner-up Rocky Creek tries go one place better in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday.

The eight-year-old found only Nicky Henderson's Triolo D'Alene too good 12 months ago but Nicholls feels he has every chance of going one better this time around, even off a 5lb higher mark.

Having gone on to run a good race when fifth in the Grand National at Aintree, Nicholls freshened him up over the summer with the aim of having him cherry ripe for this.

Crucially, the Ditcheat handler feels he will be at peak fitness this weekend having already had a run this season when second to Road To Riches in the JNwine.com Chase at Down Royal.

Having won the Paddy Power Gold Cup with Caid Du Berlais, the Betfair Chase with Silviniaco Conti and the Amlin 1965 Chase with Al Ferof, Nicholls is in flying form at present.

"I'd like to think he can go one better. He ran very well at Down Royal the other day and I'd say he's improved a lot for that run, he was heavy enough when he ran," Nicholls told At The Races.

"Last year it was a bit stop start with him, but since Down Royal he's grafted and is in good shape and he's in a good place with himself."