Hales hoping for Gold Cup success

Neptune Collonges (right) is one of the main Gold Cup contenders (Getty)

Neptune Collonges carries the hopes of Shropshire owner John Hales in Friday's Cheltenham Gold Cup, a race which eluded his greatest horse, One Man.

Neptune Collonges came third last year behind Denman and Kauto Star, but Hales is optimistic he can win this time.

"One Man was a speed merchant," Hales told BBC Radio Shropshire. "But he couldn't get the trip in the Gold Cup.

"If you're going to win the Gold Cup Neptune can win it for you. One Man would never do it."

Neptune Collonges is seen by many as one of the main contenders to beat favourite Kauto Star following his success in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown in February.

"He's a relentless galloper, instead of having One Man's gears," said Hales.

"He can go at speed and stay at it and he will come up the hill like he did last year.

"But this is the true test, the ultimate test."

Cosford businessman Hales still talks with great admiration for One Man, his great grey who failed to win the prestigious race in two separate attempts in 1996 and 1997.

One Man, who captured public hearts by twice winning the prestigious Boxing Day King George VI Chase at Kempton, did win at the Cheltenham Festival in the Queen Mother Champion Chase in March 1998.

Less than a month later, the horse was killed after a bad fall in the Mumm Melling Chase at Aintree.

But Hales is still proud of his achievements, pointing out: "He was the first horse ever to win the King George over three miles and the Queen Mother over two miles."

Hales' last success at Cheltenham came in 2004 when Azertyuiop brought him the Champion Chase.