Gold Ready For Cheltenham Challenge First Gold is on course to return to Cheltenham on Saturday for the first time since the 2004 totesport Gold Cup. The 12-year-old, trained in France by Francois Doumen, was fifth to Best Mate on his last visit to Prestbury Park 20 months ago. However, he is set to reappear in the Servo Computer Services Trophy Handicap Chase which will be his first start since he was last of five finishers behind last season´s Gold Cup hero Kicking King at Punchestown in April. 'He runs on Saturday. Francois is very happy with him,' said owner JP McManus´s racing manager Frank Berry. First Gold holds an entry in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup but at this stage is unlikely to fulfil the engagement at Newbury on November 26. 'He´s getting on a bit now. I think the Hennessy might be a bit hot for him at his age,' added Berry. ? PA Sport
