Knowhere Bound For Paddy Power Gold Cup At Cheltenham

Knowhere, winner of the Pyments Quantity Surveyors Handicap Chase at Cheltenham at the weekend, is set for a return trip to Prestbury Park for a crack at the £120,000 Paddy Power Gold Cup, a race in which he fell last year, run on Saturday, November 17, day two of The Open 2007.

Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies, who has enjoyed a fantastic last few weeks, including bagging five winners at Cheltenham's Showcase meeting, said today: 'Knowhere is being targeted at the Paddy Power Gold Cup. He was very unlucky to bump into Exotic Dancer in the boylesports.com Gold Cup at Cheltenham in December and deserved his victory the other day.'

The nine-year-old produced a courageous performance under top weight in the extended two and a half mile contest, staying on in determined style to edge out Maljimar by a neck, and will bid to give Twiston-Davies a second success in the Paddy Power Gold Cup, following Tipping Tim in 1992.

He continued: 'We were chuffed to bits with him. He jumped well and it was quite a performance considering he gave the best part of two stone to the runner-up.

'Paddy [Brennan] was very pleased with him. He has come out of his race fine and is in good form.'

Another who impressed for the Twiston-Davies stable at The Showcase was exciting six-year-old Imperial Commander, placed in Grade One company over hurdles, who came home the emphatic 16-length winner of the Lady Angela Rooker Beginner's Chase on his fencing debut under Rules.

The Naunton handler commented: 'Imperial Commander still has a bit to prove over fences, but he did it very well. He didn't have to beat very much and was good over hurdles. He only made one mistake although that is nothing to worry about.

'We will enter him over two and a half miles and three miles at The Open. Time will tell what his best trip is. I hope he continues to progress. He could be a Gold Cup horse - you always dream!'

Twiston-Davies also had news of his other winners at The Showcase, Tramantano, who made light of a 656-day absence to take the Tiger Developments Novices' Chase, Ardaghey, who landed the Showcase Handicap Chase, and Jewson Novices' Handicap Hurdle Final victor Platin Grounds.

He added: 'Tramantano is not the soundest of horses and his win gave me a lot of pleasure. He showed a fine turn of foot and has always been very good. We are hoping for good things with him.

'He could go for the Independent Newspaper Novices' Chase, which we won with Fundamentalist a few years ago. We also have Mahogany Blaze as a possible too. Both are nice horses.

'Platin Grounds could also go to The Open, although we haven't decided on his target. Another who could feature is Baron Windrush in the Servo Computer Services Handicap Chase. As for Ardaghey, we are looking to the Hennessy with him.'

The Open at Cheltenham features three days of high-class Jump racing, taking place on Friday, November 16, Saturday, November 17 and Sunday, November 18.

Friday, November 16 is Countryside Day, with a traditional country fair atmosphere plus a dressage display, hound parades and over 80 trade stands offering something for everyone.

The racing features the £35,000 Anglo Irish Bank Private Banking Novices' Hurdle, run over an extended two miles, as well as the £35,000 Cross Country Steeple Chase, run over three miles, seven furlongs on the unique cross country course and won last year for the third time by remarkable veteran Spot Thedifference.

The £120,000 Paddy Power Gold Cup, run over an extended two and a half miles, is the centrepiece of the three-day meeting on Saturday, November 17.

Saturday also includes the £60,000 Servo Computer Services Trophy, run over an extended three miles, three furlongs.

The action on Sunday, November 18, features the £100,000 Greatwood Handicap Hurdle, run over an extended two miles, the £50,000 paddypower.com Handicap Chase over two miles, and the £45,000 Independent Newspaper Novices' Chase over two miles.