Air Force One has joined Big Buck's at the head of the betting with Victor Chandler for Saturday's Hennessy Gold Cup at 5-1.

Charlie Mann's second-season chaser, runner-up to Roll Along on his seasonal reappearance at Ascot, has been the subject of strong support in recent days.

And his handler, who trains in close proximity to the track at Lambourn, would love nothing more than giving the local punters something to cheer about.

"It would be nice if a Lambourn trainer could win the Hennessy, there is a lot of history behind the race as it is the most prestigious handicap – it would be nice if this Lambourn trainer could win it anyway," said Mann.

"It was a big effort at Ascot, he normally needs his first run and comes on a lot for it, he jumped well and he is an improving horse I think, he has improved a lot from last year as he's only six.

"He ticks a lot of the right boxes for Saturday and I think he's got a good chance," he said.

Jonjo O'Neill is looking towards the skies, praying the rain stays away for his Royal & SunAlliance Chase winner Albertas Run.

Even still, he would need to put a poor run at Carlisle against Tidal Bay way behind him.

"If the ground stays like it is it will be grand. We are going to run him anyway and whatever happens it (the ground) can't be as bad as it was at Carlisle," said O'Neill.

"Nothing came up after that run and he seems to be in great form."

In-form Nicky Henderson is another trainer afraid of the forecast rain for his runner Oedipe.

Andrew Tinkler will be in the saddle as stable jockey Barry Geraghty is going up to Newcastle to ride Punjabi.

"I would be worried if it became a real slog," said Henderson.

"I'm not saying he wouldn't stay because I think that (a trip) is what he wants but it is his first run and he is a hard horse to get fit at home and you are always just a little bit worried whether he has got himself ready."

A total of 17 were declared for the showpiece event which Denman used as a stepping stone to Gold Cup glory last year and while there is no standout candidate this season, his stablemate Big Buck's has been aimed at the race for some time.

He is one of three Paul Nicholls runners along with long-term absentee My Will and Munster National winner Dear Villez but Ornais was pulled out, along with Ferdy Murphy's New Alco.

"It looks like he's picked up some sort of stone bruise yesterday and the vet wouldn't pass him this morning so we had to take him out," said Murphy.

"It's an absolute sickener as it will only keep him off for a few days."

There are no such worries for Tom George though as his Island Flyer creeps in on his correct weight of 10st and will be ridden by Denis O'Regan.

"It's all falling into place with him just scraping in off bottom weight," said George.

"Paddy Brennan rides for me whenever he can but Denis has ridden a few winners for me and I get on very well with him – he's a very good jockey.

"I always said to the owners that we would have one crack at a really big race off a nice weight.

"He was tottering around in novice hurdles at the time and then he won three novice chases.

"We are still at the right end of the handicap and I said we've got to have a go at a big one before he goes up another 15lb.

"All he wouldn't want is a lot of rain."

Hennessy Gold Cup; Victor Chandler bet: 5-1 Air Force One, Big Buck's, 7-1 Character Building, Island Flyer, 8-1 Oedipe, 10-1 Albertas Run, 12-1 Slim Pickings, 14-1 Dear Villez, 16-1 Snoopy Loopy, Royal County Star, High Chimes 20-1 bar.