Bobs Worth set for “Mini Gold Cup” in Saturday’s Betfair Chase

Nicky Henderson’s Bobs Worth makes his seasonal reappearance at Haydock on Saturday in a race that has been dubbed a miniature version of the Cheltenham Gold Cup. He faces seven top quality opponents including unlucky festival faller Silviniaco Conti and the promising Dynaste.

Paul Nicholls has made this race his own in recent years and Silviniaco Conti gave him a fifth victory in the race in the last seven years when beating Long Run 12 months ago. He followed up at Newbury and was still cantering under Ruby Walsh when he crashed out at the third last in the Gold Cup.

His exit was too far from the finish to make a clear judgement on whether or not he would have beaten Bobs Worth but there is no doubt that he would have been right in contention. He can be forgiven his subsequent defeat at Aintree as he was probably feeling the effects of his Cheltenham exertions.

Bobs Worth only ran twice last season, winning the Hennessy Gold Cup prior to his Cheltenham victory. Connections have been pleased with his work in the build-up to this race and he has always run well when fresh in the past.

David Pipe struck with an incredible four-timer last weekend and that bodes well for the prospects of second-season chaser Dynaste. He was an expensive failure at the festival but redeemed his reputation with a decisive victory at Aintree and this race will tell us whether he is Gold Cup class.

The veteran Tidal Bay comes here after winning over hurdles at Wetherby and showed last season that he is equally effective over fences. He chased home Bobs Worth at Newbury and will be held up for his usual late flourish.

Long Run scoped badly after running a lack-lustre race at Wetherby and has reportedly been schooling well at home. The 2011 Gold Cup winner looks generously priced at 12-1 if he can return to his best form.

Ryanair Chase winner Cue Card, Irish raider Roi Du Mee and Gold Cup fourth The Giant Bolster complete a high class field for the Grade 1 race due off at 3.00 on Saturday.