Brioni weighted to run a big race in the London Gold Cup at Newbury tomorrow

Brioni has never finished out of the first three yet in four races, and Alan is hopeful that he will again be in the money in what looks a very competitive London Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday.

Having made it third time lucky when making all the running to win his maiden at Kempton in April, Brioni impoved on that to produce a career-best performance in finishing second to Goodwood Odysssey at Sandown.

Brioni was only worried out of it in the final 100 yards on what was his first race in a handicap, and on 6lb better terms he might well be able to turn that form from the Esher track around with the winner.

Two Past Eight, beaten a neck in his last two races, at Kempton and Southwell, keeps creeping up the handicap, but he is a great favourite with his Barbury Lions syndicate of owners, and, hopefully, he’ll again be competitive at Doncaster tomorrow evening.

Similarly, Theonlywayiswessex deserves a break as he has also finished second twice this season. He runs in the novices handicap chase at Stratford on Sunday, only his second race over fences.