Side With Scotty In Vodafone Gold Cup

Lambourn trainer Nicky Henderson won the inaugural running of the Vodafone Gold Cup with Isio last year, and is taken to repeat the dose in this year's renewal at Newbury (3.15) on Saturday with SCOTS GREY, who looks a cracking bet at 12-1 with Skybet.Henderson's stable was under a cloud earlier in the season owing to a virus, which may have contributed to Scots Grey's below par efforts on two starts so far this season, as have the niggling training setbacks he has suffered.However, the yard is in much better form now and the selection is starting to look well treated, given that his rating has slipped to an attractive 133 - a mark 5lb lower than that off which he finished an excellent third to Young Spartacus in the Mildmay of Flete Challenge Cup at the 2003 Cheltenham Festival.Scots Grey was well beaten behind Le Duc (now 10lb worse off) at Cheltenham last time where he simply failed to run any sort of a race. But we know he is capable of a good deal better.The ten-year-old demonstrated high-class form when beating Hand Inn Hand (now 4lb worse off) narrowly at Kempton in December 2003. Despite the fact that that was well over a year ago, he has had just three subsequent starts, therefore it's by no means inconceivable that he can reproduce that level of ability - and that level of ability would see him go very close in this Listed handicap chase.Ante-post favourite Buckby Lane has been given the green light to take part by trainer Paul Webber, and his charge merits plenty of respect after running his rivals ragged at Cheltenham last time, which was the geldings first start for the best part of a year.Indeed, that was an impressive display and he could still be on the upgrade given that he has had just three career starts over fences. However, he was allowed an easy lead that day and generally got the rub of the green whereas there will be at least five rivals who also like to force the pace in the line up on Saturday. With this in mind, Buckby Lane may well be drawn into an energy sapping battle for the lead, which, combined with the fact that he is now 9lb higher in the ratings, means he is worth opposing.Oliver Sherwood has been in confident mood ahead of Claymore's bid. The nine-year-old has ran over hurdles in three starts since finishing ¾l second to Supreme Prince (now 2lb worse off) over this course and distance in November.Claymore is entitled to reverse the placings with Supreme Prince on a literal interpretation of that form and is able to race off a mark 8lb lower than his mark over fences. On the downside, he tends to make mistakes when under pressure, and is another that may become embroiled in a battle for the lead. A similar remark applies to Whereareyounow. He scored in fine style at Uttoxeter last time but enjoyed an uncontested lead there and the handicapper has hammered him with an 11lb rise as a result - putting him on a mark 9lb higher than his career-high winning mark over fences.All in all a competitive race will ensue. The required ingredients include a touch of class, ample courage and proven stamina, all of which are qualities possessed by Scots Grey.Recommended bet: 1.5 pt e/w Scots Grey @ 12/1 (Skybet)