Gold Cup hope Chase gets in jumping practice

Cheltenham Gold Cup hope Midnight Chase has been preparing for next week with some showjumping.

Neil Mulholland has come up with the novel tactic in an attempt to keep the nine-year-old interested throughout his training regime having not run since December.

"He went to a place in January after going a few times last summer and he absolutely loves it, he's a real good showjumper," said Mulholland.

"He jumps doubles, it's something a bit different but he really enjoys it.

"I try to keep Dougie (Costello) on board him as he's the one who's going to be riding him down to a fence and everybody rides different.

"This particular day I had to use Johnny Farrelly, he's just next door at David Pipe's and he'll often come to give us a hand.

"It's a change of scenery. Even on a Sunday on his day off my wife will ride a pony and I'll ride him on the roads. He likes the change of the different routes and things. He's a happy horse."

Midnight Chase can be backed at 16-1 for the Festival showpiece.