Bradstock aware of the task facing Carruthers

Mark Bradstock admits Carruthers faces a "daunting" task in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday week.

The seven-year-old has only finished outside the first two three times in 13 career starts and chased home Taranis on his latest appearance in the Argento Chase at Prestbury Park.

He will face by far the toughest assignment of his career as he takes on the likes of Kauto Star and Denman in the blue riband event but Bradstock feels his form warrants a place in the line-up.

"I think he deserves to take his chance as he has very rarely been out of the first two in all his life," Bradstock told At The Races.

"It's a hell of an ask and Kauto Star is probably one of the best horses that I've ever seen.

"Certainly his last win in the King George was a phenomenal performance and Denman won the Hennessy after what I thought was a fantastic training performance.

"He obviously had top-weight that day as well and OK he had a blip at Newbury the other day, but Paul will probably sort that out.

"It is daunting but stranger things do happen.

"He'll obviously be ridden very handy and if something decides to go off like a bat out of hell we'll let it go.".