Outnumbered but definitely not outgunned . Trainer Mark Bradstock should adopt it as his stable motto . The Oxfordshire trainer will certainly be hoping that is the case when Coneygree bids to become the first novice to win the £550,000 Betfred Gold Cup since Captain Christy in 1974 . Talk of such lofty ambition started after Bradstock and his assistant trainer wife , Sara , saw Coneygree stroll home by 40 lengths in the Kauto Star Novices ’ Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day in only his second steeplechase . Oxfordshire trainer Mark Bradstock 's Coneygree will b out to make history in the Betfred Gold Cup on Friday . Coneygree is running to be the first novice to win the £550,000 Betfred Gold Cup since Captain Christy in 1974 . Proof the performance was not a fluke came when Coneygree slammed Hennessy Gold Cup runner-up Houblon Des Obeaux by seven lengths in Newbury ’ s Denman Chase on February 7 . Part of the credit for Coneygree ’ s performances has been shared with son Alfie . He is pursuing a showjumping career under the guidance of former international Graham Fletcher and regularly tutors Coneygree over the poles . Bradstock , who spent 12 years as assistant to legendary trainer Fulke Walwyn , said : ‘ Coneygree ’ s strength is an incredibly high cruising speed and being able to efficiently jump at that speed , when most can ’ t . 'For a small stable like us to even have a runner at the Festival is fantastic , let alone a fancied one . ‘ But I never feel like an underdog . We can put it up the bigger stables , even with their £250,000 horses , as 99 per cent of our horses are front-runners — they are fit and know how to jump. ’ Coneygree won the Kauto Star Novices ’ Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day in just his second steeplechase . Coneygree is under the direction of Mark , assistant trainer wife , Sara , and showjumping jockey son Alfie .
Coneygree could be the first novice to win the Gold Cup since 1974 . Trainer Mark Bradstock said : 'For a small stable like us to even have a runner at the Festival is fantastic , let alone a fancied one ' Won Kauto Star Novices ’ Chase at Kempton in only his second chase . Coneygree takes on the £550,000 race at seven on Friday at Cheltenham .