Gold Cup hope Noelie set for Wetherby

Lord Noelie`s season is set to start at Wetherby on Saturday, his trainer Henrietta Knight reported today.

The eight-year-old, whose ultimate aim this season is the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup next March, is set to to line up in the Peterhouse Group Charlie Hall Chase.

This year, the three-miles-one-furlong contest boasts record prize-money of Stg£50,000, and is set to attract a top-class line-up with Paul Nicholls eyeing the race for both See More Business -winner for the last two years - and last season`s crack novice Shotgun Willy.

'He`s very well and he seems to be further forward this year than he was when he made his seasonal reappearance at Wincanton last season,' Mrs Knight said.

'We have given him lots of work and hopefully the ground will be right for him at Wetherby.

'We will go step by step with him this season as I never like to look too far forward but everything will be geared towards the Gold Cup.'

Were Lord Noelie to win both races, he could claim a Stg£50,000 bonus put up this year for any horse who wins both Saturday`s contest and goes on to land the Gold Cup.

The Wantage trainer also confirmed plans for other stable stars, Best Mate and Edredon Bleu.

'Best Mate goes to Exeter on Tuesday week and Edredon Bleu runs in the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon,' she added.

'Everything seems to be going well with them at the moment but you never like to tempt fate. I`m just looking forward to seeing them back in action.'