Bobs Worth ruled out of Argento Chase (From Swindon Advertiser)

Bobs Worth ruled out of Argento Chase

6:00am Saturday 26th January 2013 in Sport

BOBS Worth, ante-post favourite for the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup, will not run in the Argento Chase at Cheltenham this weekend.

The Nicky Henderson-trained eight-year-old was found to be not quite 100 per cent following a routine check-up earlier in the week.

He will now contest the Gold Cup on March 15 without a prep run.

Henderson said: "Bobs Worth is not going to be able to run on Saturday, which is very disappointing for everybody, including the owners.

"We very much wanted to run, but the good thing is it doesn't affect March in any way.

"We were just doing a routine check on Monday, which all the horses have before they run.

"There was something not quite right with him and it's just going the wrong way, rather than the right way.

"We were scoping him and there was a little something there.

"It's not wise to run at the weekend if he's not going to perform to his best.

"It wasn't crucial that he ran, but it was always the plan."

The Seven Barrows handler is unfazed by the prospect of sending Bobs Worth to the Gold Cup without the benefit of another run.

His magnificent victory in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury in December was his first start since he was victorious in the RSA Chase at the Festival last March.

Henderson said: "I always felt the Denman Chase (Newbury, February 9) was too close to Cheltenham for him - he's that sort of horse.

"Circumstances have now forced to us to go without it (a Gold Cup prep run).

"He's a very straightforward horse, but it's disappointing more than anything else."

Meanwhile, Henderson’s Simonsig tops 33 entries for the Racing Post Arkle at the Festival, dominating the ante-post market after making a seamless switch to fences this term, winning two Grade Two events on his two outings to date.

Fellow Seven Barrows inmate Captain Conan is already a Grade One winner this term and he also features among Henderson's three entries along with Tetlami.