KENNY GOES FOR GOLD Leading Martell Grand National candidate Young Kenny heads the weights for tomorrow`s Stg£100,000 De Vere Gold Cup, the feature race of the day at Haydock Park. Owner Trevor Hemmings is doubly-represented as he also runs The Last Fling whom Sue Smith sent out to win three races, including the three-and-a-half-mile De Vere, last season. Young Kenny missed an intended run in the Singer & Friedlander National Trial two weeks ago because he tweaked a muscle and also sidestepped the Tote Northern National at Newcastle last weekend. Hemmings` racing manager Michael Meagher explained: 'As things turned out he would have been giving the winner (Narrow Water) at Newcastle lumps of weight and they finished very, very tired. 'Kenny would have carried 12st in what looked very testing ground and maybe it would have bottomed him for the season.' He went on: 'At the end of the day it is a big prize at Haydock, and of course then there is the National for him and The Last Fling so we have had to have those races in mind. Both horses seem to be in good form.' Young Kenny finished third to Streamstown, another De Vere runner, over a trip short of his best at Wetherby last time out. But The Last Fling has not been seen out since December, an intended prep-race at Wetherby two weeks ago having been thwarted by the weather. Also among the 18-runner field is exciting novice Frantic Tan, still a possible contender for the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup despite his lack of experience over fences. Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies reports: 'I was very pleased with him last time at Newbury. It will be a very different race on Saturday but he has a nice weight and I hope he will run a good race.' Tony McCoy makes the journey up to ride Take Control for boss Martin Pipe, while stablemates Royal Predica and You`re Agoodun will be partnered by Rodi Greene and Sam Stronge respectively. Tony Martin is hoping to see an improved showing from veteran chaser Hollybank Buck, who has been campaigned largely over hurdles so far this season. Martin said: 'He`s had one or two little problems this year but he seems back in good form and he`s dropped a bit in the weights. 'I`d like to see him a bit nearer the front this time if he`s going to be good enough to go back for another crack at the Grand National.' Peter Niven finished 10th aboard Hollybank Buck in the Aintree showpiece last year and takes the ride again.
