Jamie Moore expects Fruity O'Rooney to be up for a good run in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday but believes he faces a tough task.
Moore rides the nine-year-old for his father Gary in the prestigious staying handicap chase and the jockey feels Fruity O'Rooney has come on for his recent reappearance over hurdles at Cheltenham.
"He had a spin round over hurdles and ran well for a long way. The handicapper was a bit harsh. He hadn't won off a mark that high over hurdles," he told At The Races.
"He whacked him up to his chase mark over hurdles and humped 11st 12lb for his first run of the season. It found him out and he's only small.
"He's in great form at the minute and his work's been good. He'll be spot on for Newbury and 10st 5lb is a great weight to have in a competitive handicap run on testing ground.
"Whether he's quite good enough, he might not be but he'll give a good, bold show from the front. He wears his heart on his sleeve.
"He'll go on soft ground and the three-miles-two doesn't worry me.
"When he was second at the Festival it was over three miles and I went pretty hard.
"Up at Ayr it was four miles and it was his last run of the year.
"Maybe I went too quick, but a stamina test definitely suits him.
"It's going to be an open race. It's not going to be easy, we're pretty exposed and there could be something lurking.
"Bobs Worth could be decent and there are others like Roberto Goldback, but we'll give it our best shot."