Holywell bids to bounce back

Jonjo O'Neill is keeping his fingers crossed that Holywell can earn himself a tilt at the Cheltenham Gold Cup with victory in Thursday's Ivan Straker Memorial Chase at Kelso.

The eight-year-old landed a three-mile handicap chase at last season's Festival and went on to strike at Grade One level at Aintree.

This season has been less inspiring, as he finished a long way behind Many Clouds at Carlisle before parting company with Richie McLernon at Aintree in December, but with the yard back in better form, a much improved showing is expected in Scotland.

Tony McCoy travels north for the ride.

"He's in good form and we're expecting a good run from him," O'Neill told At The Races.

"He's gone up there and arrived.

"That (Gold Cup) is the plan. Hopefully it stays in place."

Holywell is fitted with blinkers for the first time this season and faces just three rivals over three and a quarter miles.

The Donald McCain-trained Diocles, David O'Meara's Rose Of The Moon and Fentara from Mark Walford's stable complete the field.