All National Hunt fans will be casting their eyes over the final two days of the Cheltenham Open meeting this weekend in order to glean as much information as possible regarding the early season from of several Cheltenham Festival hopefuls.
The race that takes centre stage of course is the Grade 3, Paddy Power Gold Cup, which features one of the leading fancies for the Cheltenham Gold Cup in Long Run, trained by Nicky Henderson. The race which takes place on Saturday afternoon, has attracted a big field with 20 standing their ground with one day to go before the race.
Rain has been forecast during the course of the weekend but the going on the old course should be no worse than good to soft in places which should make for a speedy race.
Long Run, who will be partnered by amateur Sam Waley-Cohen, who is the son of the owner, arrived in Britain last year from France and made a huge impression on his early runs. His 13 length victory in his first race, the Grade 1 Feltham Novices Chase marked him up as a major force to be reckoned with, which he confirmed by taking the Grade 2, Kingmaker Novices Chase a few weeks later at Warwick in equally emphatic style.
However he certainly ‘fluffed his lines’ when he went to the 2010 Cheltenham Festival to take on the Grade 1 RSA Chase where he managed only third place behind winner, Weapon’s Amnesty. Waley-Cohen in fact was criticised by many for holding up the 5 year old in that race, but Henderson is perfectly happy for him to keep the ride this weekend.
Long Run is almost certain to go off favourite for the race, with the biggest threats to him coming from the David Pipe trained, Great Endeavour and Edward O’Grady’s Catch Me. That said, Pipe, has almost already conceded the race, believing that Long Run is a ‘nailed on certainty’ to take the honours.
Champion trainer, Paul Nicholls has three runners in the race with his best chance probably being Tchico Polos, winner of the Grade 2, Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter on November 2nd. Nicholls has confirmed that he has come out of that race in fine form, but believes that the Paddy Power Gold Cup might have come around a little too quick for him. He also runs top weight, Poquelin, who will have 5lb taken off by jockey, Ian Popham. His third runner, Gwanako, will need to improve if he is to trouble the main contenders.
Local trainer, Nigel Twiston-Davies also has three runners, which includes Little Josh who dead heated Weird Al last time out at Carlisle and who will have the trainer’s son on board. On Cheltenham Festival form he has quite a lot to find with Long Run, but might well be good enough to run into a place. Possibly the better option of the Twiston-Davies team is Pigeon Island who will improve from his last run when third behind Kilmurry in the Kleinwort Benson Novice Chase at Cheltenham last month. He has stable jockey, Paddy Brennan on board!
The other big race at the meeting is the Grade 3 Greatwood Handicap Hurdle, which is the feature race of the final day on Sunday. Amongst the favourites is the Phillip Hobbs trained, Menorah, winner of the 2010 Supreme Novice Hurdle over course and distance in March and who has very definite Champion Hurdle aspirations this season.
Favourite for the race however is the Paul Nicholls trained Sanctuaire, who has been impressing every at home at Ditcheat and who also won at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
Another major ‘player’ in this race will be the Jonjo O’Neill trained, Get Me Out Of Here, who was just a head behind Menorah in the Supreme in March. He warmed up for this with a pretty lacklustre effort when finishing only 7th in a Listed race at Ascot a fortnight ago. On that form he will need to improve if he is going to win on Sunday.
Also on Sunday is the Sinbad Testimonial 2010/2011 Chase which should see 2009 Arkle Trophy Chase winner, Forpadydeplasterer return to winning ways after five second place finishes last season, which included four at Grade 1 level and one at Grade 2. His major threat is probably the Paul Nicholls entry Tataniano, who looked a very good chaser in the making when winning the Grade 1 Maghulls Novices Chase at Aintree at the end of last season.
This Weekend’s Rodwise Racing Tips
Paddy Power gold Cup – Long Run @ 10/3 with Paddy Power
Greatwood Hurdle – Menorah @ 7/1 with Ladbrokes
Sinbad Testimonial 2010/2011 Chase – Forpadydeplasterer
Written by Rodwise · Filed Under Bookmakers, Horse Racing, Ladbrokes, Paddypower, Tips
Tagged: best bets, channel 4, horse, Horse Racing, Long Run, Menorah, Paddy Power Gold Cup, rodwise, saturday 13th november, Tip, Tips
