Bolster challenge awaits for trainer (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Bolster challenge awaits for trainer

2:00pm Sunday 17th February 2013 in Sport

STOW-in-the-Wold trainer David Bridgwater is relishing another crack at Silviniaco Conti for The Giant Bolster in next month’s Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Bridgwater’s seven-yearold charge, second 12 months ago to Synchronised at the Festival, finished behind Paul Nicholls’ progressive horse in the Denman Chase at Newbury at the weekend.

The 8-11 favourite stayed on well to see off Tom Scudamore aboard The Giant Bolster (6-1 second-favourite), despite giving 4lbs, by seven lengths.

But Bridgwater said: “I’m chuffed to bits. Cheltenham is a different track and this is the one they want to be worried about.

“I can guarantee I have missed more work than the other horse.”

• Charlie Longsdon says Frisco Depot is on track for the John Smith’s Grand National after a wind operation.

The Chipping Norton trainer intends to return the nineyear- old at Warwick later this month ahead of an Aintree bid in April.

The Irish import had no luck in two runs since partly being bought by Long Run’s owner Robert Waley-Cohen out of Dessie Hughes’ yard.

But he had smart form in Ireland, including a second to Flemenstar at Naas last March, and Longsdon hopes Frisco Depot can shine again.