Bullish Gary Moore throws weight behind in-form Harry Tricker's Cheltenham chances

Trainer Gary Moore is confident that Harry Tricker will produce a big run in the Grade 3 Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham on Sunday.

The five-year-old is set to make a quick reappearance following a comfortable success at Sandown last Saturday.

Moore, who won the extended two-mile contest with Numide last year, said: "We also have Gee Dee Nen, but the main one is Harry Tricker. He's taken the race well though we'll see what the ground is like before we make a decision. As it stands, he does have a lovely weight.

"He gets in with 10st 5lb and, so long as the ground doesn't go too soft, he'll be fine. I think you'd have to be quite confident of a big run."

Recent Cheltenham winner Starluck heads the weights on 11st 12lb but, although among 28 acceptors, his trainer Alan Fleming ruled him out last night, saying that he will run either at Haydock on Saturday week, or in the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth at Newcastle on 28 November.

The weights are set to rise further and should that happen, Alan King may think twice about running 7-1 favourite Medermit, who would shoulder 11st 11lb.

Meanwhile, Moore revealed he is set to take the wraps off of Vino Griego at Ascot on Saturday week.

The four-year-old was a hugely impressive six-length winner of a heavy-ground bumper at the same track in February, and Moore feels the Kahyasi gelding has the talent to go a long way.

He said: "The plan is to run him in a novices' hurdle at Ascot on Saturday week. It can be difficult making the transition from bumpers to hurdling, but he's done a lot of schooling and he's a really exciting prospect.

"You'd hope he will progress and in due course go for something like the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, but he stays well, so I think the Ballymore Properties Hurdle is going to be an option."

Greatwood Hurdle (Totesport odds): 7 Medermit, 10 Harry Tricker, James De Vassy, Mamlook, Raise Your Heart, Ronaldo Des Mottes, 11 Starluck, 12 others.