Divers ready for Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham
Ferdy Murphy is confident Divers will come on for his reappearance run when he lines up at Cheltenham on Saturday.
Last Updated: 12/11/12 5:59pm
The eight-year-old was third in last year's renewal following on from his success in the Listed Pulteney Land Investments Novices' Handicap Chase at 2011 Festival.
After his good effort in the Paddy Power Gold Cup, Divers came home fourth in the Byrne Group Plate in March and was last seen when finishing down the field in the BetVictor.com Handicap Chase at The Showcase on October 20.
Murphy said: "Divers definitely runs in the Paddy Power Gold Cup providing we don't get monsoon type rain.
"He has come out of his race at The Showcase in really good form. He always takes a run to come to life and we are really happy with him.
"He ran very well when he finished third in the Paddy Power Gold Cup last season but the rain came on the Friday night and that didn't help. He loves good ground and the better the ground, the better his chance.
"The Paddy Power Gold Cup looks like it is going to be a fantastic race this year. There are a lot of very good horses and it looks very competitive.
"Providing the ground stays right for Divers, I think he will run an extremely good race. Timmy Murphy rides - his record around Cheltenham speaks for itself and I think he will really suit the horse."
The going at Cheltenham is currently Good to Soft, Good in places on the chase and hurdle courses and Good to Soft, Soft in places on the cross country course.
Simon Claisse, Head of Racing at Cheltenham, said: "There could be a little shower tomorrow but other than that we will be dry until late afternoon or early evening on Friday."