Rajdhani set for Paddy Power test Owner Robert Waley-Cohen admits to being excited at the prospect of Rajdhani Express running in Saturday's Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham. The six-year-old won the Rewards4Racing Novices' Handicap Chase over the same two-mile-four-and-a-half-furlong course at the Festival in March, but he has a 15lb higher handicap mark to overcome this weekend. Waley-Cohen's Long Run was beaten in the first major handicap of the jumps season off a mark of 158 in 2010, but it did not do him any harm as he returned to win the Gold Cup the following March. While Rajdhani Express has never been talked of in the same terms by Waley-Cohen or Nicky Henderson, he progressed at a rate of knots in the second half of last season. "It's always exciting when these second-season novices get to test their mettle against their elders," said Waley-Cohen. "You never quite know how they are going to fare, you don't know how good the novices were the year before. All we know about him is that he doesn't like it very heavy, and it doesn't look like it will be. "The ground looks like it is going to be perfect so we must congratulate Simon Claisse (clerk of the course) for that. Dynaste is obviously the one to beat but whether he will run or not, we don't know yet." Trainer Martin Keighley is in confident mood as he prepares Champion Court. Fourth in the King George last season, the eight-year-old fared even better when winning over the same course and distance of this weekend's highlight in April. "I've been really pleased with his preparation," the Gloucestershire handler told At The Races. "He had a nice racecourse gallop around Wincanton and I couldn't be happier with him. This race has always been the plan, it looks ideal. From the end of last season, we put him away for this as he runs well fresh. "He's got everything in his favour and looking at the forecast it will be lovely, good ground." Rajdhani Express and Champion Court are two of 28 possibles for the first feature handicap of the season. Henderson has slimmed his team down to three, with top weight Finian's Rainbow and Nadiya De La Vega still also in the mix. Dynaste remains a possible for David Pipe, as are stablemates Salut Flo and Ballynagour. Jonjo O'Neill's Johns Spirit has been well backed since winning at Cheltenham's first meeting of the season, while Katenko may attempt to make up for lost time for the in-form Venetia Williams having had last season cut short by injury. Old Roan Chase winner Conquisto may run for Steve Gollings, with Tap Night, Walkon, Battle Group and Vino Griego other notable possibles. The Irish raiding party has diminished, with only Hidden Cyclone, Texas Jack, Gift Of Dgab and Sean Airgead remaining as Willie Mullins has taken out Marito and his other entries. The sponsors bet: 5-1 Dynaste, 6-1 Johns Spirit, 10-1 Rajdhani Express, Champion Court, Ballynagour, 12-1 Colour Squadron, Katenko, Hidden Cyclone, Salut Flo, 14-1 Battle Group, Finian's Rainbow, Conquisto, 16-1 bar.
