Bailey’s high hopes for Harry Topper

Kim Bailey has earmarked the Future Stars Intermediate Chase for the gutsy Wetherby winner.

The six-year-old entered the Gold Cup picture with his win at Wetherby over the likes of Unioniste and Long Run.

“He’s the best I’ve had for a long time,” said resurgent Bailey, who completed the Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle double with Master Oats and Alderbrook in 1995 before entering racing’s doldrums.

“I made a silly quote some time ago saying he’s the best I’ve seen since Master Oats, but for me he is. He’s a 153-rated chaser and he’s only completed four times over fences as unfortunately he’s unseated once and fallen once, but he’s won the other four.

“Most probably he’ll go to Sandown on December 6. I don’t want to put him in a handicap this season as he’s not strong enough and mentally he’s not ready for them.

“He’s a six-year-old so we’ve got plenty of time. The Gold Cup is the ultimate dream for any owner or trainer and I hope he’s good enough, but whether it’s this season I don’t know.”

More immediate attention turns to Saturday’s Paddy Power Gold Cup where top Irish rider Bryan Cooper, 21, is the notable booking for Conquisto.

The progressive eight-year-old has been first or second in seven of his eight starts over fences, including the Old Roan Chase at Aintree last month.

With AP McCoy required for owner JP McManus, Louth-based Steve Gollings is delighted to have secured the services of Cooper, who came to prominence when riding three winners at the Cheltenham Festival.

“The last thing we wanted was to wait and wait, and end up with a jockey we didn’t want. We needed to do the best for Conquisto,” said Gollings.

“I know it’s a cliché, but he’s come out of Aintree 100 per cent – you’d soon know with Conquisto as he wears his heart on his sleeve every day. Another factor in deciding to run is the ground is in his favour.”

Nigel Twiston-Davies is set to rely upon Astracad as he seeks a third win in the race after Imperial Commander (2008) and Little Josh (2010).

A consistent seven-year-old, Astracad was second to Conquisto in the Old Roan and will be ridden by the trainer’s in-form son Sam.

Imperial Commander is set to take his chance in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on November 30, rather than in the Betfair Chase at Haydock a week earlier.

Trainer Rebecca Menzies, based at the Brandsby yard of Gold Cup-winning Peter Beaumont, saddled her first winner yesterday when Pistol Basc prevailed at Sedgefield under her partner Tony Kelly.

Meanwhile, James Reveley, who has been in a rich vein of form in France where he has become a much sought after big race jockey, completed a double on Ivan Boru and Waltz Darling.

Both are trained at Saltburn by his father Keith.

Unbeaten three-year-old filly Treve, the Arc heroine, was last night acclaimed as the Cartier Horse of the Year.

The Queen’s historic Ascot Gold Cup winner Estimate took the award for stayers while Racing Post Trophy winner Kingston Hill was the champion two-year-old colt.