Barbers Shop opts for Wetherby race

The former Gold Cup contender is set to contest the bet 365-sponsored 100,000 race at Wetherby on Saturday rather than line up at Ascot where the gelding is also entered.

Royal trainer Nicky Henderson believes Barbers Shop, an eight-year-old just short of top class, will relish the likely good going at the West Yorkshire track.

The horse, who was ridden by Tony McCoy on the gallops this week to promote the champion jockey's BBC Sports Personality of the Year credentials, last won nearly two years ago at Sandown.

He has, nevertheless, performed admirably in subsequent races – seventh to Kauto Star in the 2008 Gold Cup, Barbers Shop has also run with distinction in both the Hennessy Gold Cup and the King George.

"You never know what's going to turn up but it looks open," said Henderson.

"Poor old Barbers Shop has been set an impossible task in life as you come in off top weight in handicaps.

"He hasn't won a race for two years and has run some fantastic races in defeat.

"Rating-wise he comes into Saturday's race quite well."

Wetherby is, however, a lucky track for Her Majesty.

Five years ago, her Shining Strand won a novice hurdle at the course.

Apart from the first prize of 5,018, The Queen also won the sponsors prize – a voucher for two to 'eat and sleep' at a nearby pub. Evidently, she declined the invitation.

As well as two-time winner Ollie Magern and Deep Purple, last year's victor, the formidable line-up is also set to be complimented by Tom George's dashing grey Nacarat, a former winner of the Racing Post Chase and one of the most popular horses in training.

"I think he will appreciate the better ground. He's been having to run on softish ground which he doesn't really enjoy, but he's a tough horse and has been coping with it," said George, whose exciting prospect Tell Massini makes his eagerly-awaited debut over fences at Stratford today.

"He's always had stiff shoulders and this summer we've been trying to sort them out."

Meanwhile Mark Bradstock is praying for rain to allow Cheltenham Gold Cup fourth Carruthers to make the journey from Wantage.

"It depends on the ground as to whether Carruthers goes for the Charlie Hall – we need the rain," said Bradstock. "He looks fantastic and he has really pleased me in his work. Basically, we would love to go to Wetherby – he is in at Ascot on Saturday – but it is all totally ground dependent."

County Durham handler Howard Johnson is likely to run Tidal Bay in the John Smith's Hurdle rather than the big chase.

"The horse looks grand but he's getting older. He had a good summer, he's fine and, touch wood, he's training well," said Johnson.

The going at Wetherby is currently good, good to firm in places with watering taking place.

Tony McCoy has ridden many extraordinary winners in his career but few will have had quite as much drama as Drill Sergeant at Haydock.

Comfortably in front in the novices' hurdle, the Donald McCain-trained five-year-old pulled himself up heading out on to the final circuit.

McCoy was helpless as the

11-10 favourite downed tools and the 12 remaining runners shot past him.

But McCoy once again showed he is the man for a lost cause as his mount decided to join in again, with the 15-times champion getting him back in front to repel all-comers.

Drill Sergeant touched 120-1 in-running on Betfair at one stage.