Coole Cody on course for Gold Cup double bid at Cheltenham

Coole Cody will bid to become only the fourth Paddy Power Gold Cup winner to follow up in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup in the same season when he lines up at Cheltenham on Saturday.

The nine-year-old landed the first leg of the rare double last month, when he finished three and a half lengths clear of Spiritofthegames.

Pegwell Bay achieved the feat in 1988 and since 1991, 13 horses have tried to win both races but only Senor El Betrutti (1997) and the Jonjo O'Neill-trained Exotic Dancer (2006) were successful.

"It was such a tough performance last time, it was all blood and thunder," said trainer Evan Williams about Coole Cody, who has been raised 6lb for last month's win. "He's hardy on his day and has been really consistent for us. He's been an absolute joy to train.

Caspian Caviar Gold Cup card and entries

"It's a very difficult race to win. I've always wanted to have a horse capable of competing in big handicaps like this and the Paddy Power. I call them the classics and they're great races to have on your CV.

"Unfortunately, one of the worries about getting older is I can recall horses who have won both races and I remember Pegwell Bay winning in 1988. It's difficult to win one of them, let alone both.

"My stable jockey Adam Wedge has a few meetings with doctors in the next couple of days to see if he can come back and take the ride. If he can't, I'll still be delighted with Tom O'Brien staying on board."

Credit: Racingpost.com/photos

The ante-post market for the race is headed by Master Tommytucker, who is as short as 5-1 with Coole Cody available at 8-1 generally.

It has been a good month for Williams, who won the Grade 2 Winter Novices' Hurdle at Sandown on Friday with Star Gate and the next day he landed the Welsh Grand National Trial with Secret Reprieve.

"I'd like to think Secret Reprieve will get to the Welsh National," added Williams. "It's a tight turnaround but it's the plan if he gets in.

The Big Breakaway beaten as dazzling hurdler Star Gate is cut for Ballymore

"I don't know where we'll go with Star Gate. He's come out of the race beautifully and has plenty of options but we won't push him too much this year. When he's well and happy we'll think about a run."

Secret Reprieve is a 5-1 chance with Ladbrokes for the Coral Welsh Grand National on December 27.

Spokesman Jon Lees said on Tuesday: “SecretReprieve had been 25-1 before Chepstow and, after being cut to 10-1 in the wake of his victory, he has now been backed into 5-1 after several large bets were placed in shops this morning. As far as the Evan Williams-trained hope is concerned, the secret’s out."

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