THE Henry de Bromhead-trained Senior Chief heads to Newbury with a leading chance in the Coral Gold Cup Handicap Chase at 3.00 today.

Darragh O’Keeffe reunites with the progressive seven-year-old, who was last seen leading home a 1-2 for the Knockeen stable in a Class 2 chase at Cheltenham, on what was his fifth start over fences.

“We fancied him for the Irish National last year and things just didn’t work out,” Robbie Power, race planner for de Bromhead, told The Irish Field. “He was very impressive when he won at Cheltenham back at the October meeting.

“This was the plan after he won that day and he seems in very good form. The ground is still good which is key to him. So, looking forward to him going there in good form, with a big chance, hopefully.”

Senior Chief is one of 14 declared for the three mile, two furlong test, which boasts a prize fund of £250,000. His nearest market rivals include Broadway Boy, who finished third behind him last time, last season’s Grade 2 scorer Colonel Harry, and Topham Chase third Kandoo Kid.

Fairyhouse fancies

De Bromhead is responsible for two of the six-runner field in Sunday’s Grade 1 Bar One Racing Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse. Heart Wood and Gorgeous Tom are currently second and third in the betting for the €85,000 contest over two and a half miles.

“Two nice horses, looking forward to them both,” Power commented. “Obviously, Heart Wood has plenty of experience and won well the last day in Wexford, but Gorgeous Tom has been very exciting over fences.

“He won at Wexford on debut and had an unlucky fall in Tipperary, but then was very impressive in Cork the last day, so it’s time for him to take his chance in a Grade 1.”

Heart Wood won the Listed Michael Hickey Memorial Chase by seven lengths on his seasonal return. That came over two miles and seven furlongs, but Power isn’t worried about Sunday’s sharper trip.

“He won over two and a half before, so I don’t see it as being much of a negative for him. I think he’ll be fine, he’s got plenty of pace, he’s not slow.”

The Robcour-owned gelding ended last season with a fine third in the Grade 1 Mildmay Novices Chase, having bolted up by 14 lengths in a Grade 3 handicap chase at Leopardstown on his previous start.

O’Keeffe is back aboard on Sunday, while Mark Walsh gets the leg up on stablemate Gorgeous Tom. As Power said, the six-year-old was impressive last time out when justifying favouritism in a Grade 3 at Cork by five and a half lengths. Monbeg Park chased him home that day, as he had in a rated novice chase two months earlier.