KING WARMS TO WINDROSS Richard Johnson will partner Windross for trainer Alan King in Saturday`s Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury, it was confirmed today. Johnson rode the gelding when he finished a promising 11-length third behind Flaked Oats at Wincanton last time and King is hopeful of a bold showing from the eight-year-old. However, the Barbury Castle trainer has yet to decide whether last year`s runner-up Spendid will take his chance. King explained: 'Windross runs but I`m not sure about Spendid yet. Richard Johnson rides Windross. 'I was pleased with Windross at Wincanton, he stayed on well, he definitely wanted the run that day and he hasn`t gone backwards. 'A test of stamina wouldn`t worry him, the softer the better for him I think and I hope he`ll run very well. 'It`s obviously a tough race - the Hennessy always is - but I`m delighted with my horse and it`s fingers crossed.' Spendid was only beaten three and a half lengths by Ever Blessed in thisrace last year but was a distant eighth behind leading Hennessy fancy Foxchapel King at Cheltenham last time. 'Spendid`s come out of Cheltenham well, he`s worked this morning,' King added. 'I just want to see what the ground is going to be like, we`ll give him a school in the morning and we`ll take it from there.' Windross is a 14-1 chance for the £90,000 contest with Ladbrokes.
