Hot favourite Ad Hoc has been set 9st 2lb in the weights revealed today for the #90,000 Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury on November 25th.
The Paul Nicholls-trained gelding, 5-1 market leader for the Grade Three event with Ladbrokes, is due to make his eagerly-awaited seasonal debut in the Badger Brewery Handicap Chase at Wincanton on Saturday.
The six-year-old would get into the handicap proper should current top weight Florida Pearl (12st) bypass the race.
Whitbread Gold Cup winner Beau is next highest in the weights on 10-12 with Irish Grand National victor Commanche Court on 10-11.
Ad Hoc`s owner Robert Ogden has a strong alternative in the shape of Marlborough (10-8), winner of the William Hill National Hunt Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
Of the other leading fancies Royal & SunAlliance Chase winner Lord Noelie has been given 10-7, Alexander Banquet 10-5 and Red Marauder 10st.
