SWINDON jockey Wayne Hutchinson is hoping Smad Place can top off an impressive season with a serious challenge in this afternoon’s Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Smad Place, trained at Barbury Castle by Alan King, was a superb winner of the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury in November and then triumphed at Cheltenham’s own Gold Cup trial in January, with Richard Johnson on board in place of the injured Hutchinson.

The grey was being quoted at around 10/1 for today’s showpiece at Prestbury Park and the recovered Hutchinson believes he will be riding a better horse than the one that finished eighth in the race 12 months ago.

He said: “He’s had a good season to date, winning three and finishing fourth in the King George (VI Cup). We are excited about taking part in the Gold Cup.

“Obviously eighth last year, you would like to think, with this year going smoothly, he’s a better horse and he can build on where he finished last year. At the same time, it’s a strong division, there’s plenty of strength in depth.”

Hutchinson returned to racing at the end of February in Exeter following a few weeks out with an ankle ligament injury sustained during a fall at Doncaster in January.

And he has had success at the Festival before, first in 2009 on Oh Crick in the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Steeple Chase and then again in 2013 on board Medinas in the Coral Cup.

“We will be riding our own race and sticking to our own race plan,” he added, of the Smad Place ride.

“The whole season is gearing up for this. It’s a big week for trainers and owners, it’s important for everybody.”

Trainer King added: “It’s a huge ask and my gut feeling is that he’s not quite good enough, but he is a better horse now than he was 12 months ago and if he can finish in the first four I will be thrilled.

“He has pleased me in everything he has done at home and his preparation could not have gone better.

“Wayne Hutchinson was delighted with him when he schooled him last week, and I don’t think the drying ground is a problem.

“His form is stacking up well as Many Clouds and Theatre Guide, whom he beat on trials day last time, have both won since.’’