Guinness Gold Cup 2010

Not a great day 1, but still a long way to go. Enjoy!!! 

5.30 Punchestown

Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup (Grade 1) (5yo+) Winner €135,000

Pick: J’yVole e/w

Barbers Shop: Only ran three times last year, making huge strides on his way to fishing seventh in the Gold Cup; Although he wasn’t disgraced on that occasion, it did raise stamina doubts that were hardly put to bed when fourth in Hennessey; Ran well enough again when third in King George but his Rynair run leaves him with a lot to find, and not certain to stay 3m around this track.

Cooldine: Developed into best staying novice chaser of last season with win in the PJ Moriarty Chase before a 16 length rout in the RSA Chase; Must have been well over the top when on his last run of the season when fourth and then ran a shocker in the Lexus Chase over Christmas; Was perfectly capable of beating Joncol in the Hennessy but heavy ground went against him; Travelled well in GOLD Cup but went out like a light and very hard to fancy on that evidence, although the third fourth and winner are all absent here and he will have his ground; Worth nothing that he ran well below par at 4/7 fav last year after a festival run.

Denman: Gold Cup winner of 2008 who had heart trouble which kept him to below par performances last year ;put in one of the outstanding performances of recent times when coming right back to his best winning the Hennessy off 161; Things went badly on his first start for AP McCoy when he unseated in the AON Chase but ran well above that to be second in the Gold Cup; Stable reports say he’s as good as he’s ever been and would have to take some stopping here.

Follow The Plan: Decent 2m Novice Chaser who took notable scalp of Tatenen in Grade 1 at Christmas 2 years ago; Didn’t appear to get home or relish three mile trip last time so questions to be answered after that run.

Joncol: Impressed in some easy Graded novice chases last season and has contained that progression this season, coming a close second to Tranquil Sea before romping away with the John Durkan; Stayed on late in the Lexus Chase and improved from that to just get the better of Cooldine last time in the Hennessy; Solid, though stayer who jumps well and if he was to reproduce his best on this surface (all wins on ground no faster than soft / heavy), he would have to take a serious chance.

Notre Pere: Progressed from taking decent Handicap at Navan last season to then running riot in Welsh Grand National before then coming second in Irish Hennessy and routing opposition in Guinness Gold Cup; Leading chance on that sort of form but has been below par this season.

Planet Of Sound: Ran a couple of great races at Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals last season as a novice, finishing third in the Arkle Continued in the same vein when landing the Haldon Gold Cup on his first start; Hasn’t been running as well this season and his jumping has become an issue.

Rare Bob: Very tough and consistent horse who won a big race at this meeting last season when winning the Champion Novice Chase; Although he hasn’t disappointed, he hasn’t really gone on as expected and has a tough task here.

Siegemaster: Has ran some great races this season under big weights in tough handicaps on  heavy ground, and was right there until the last in the Irish National;  Not one to be dismissed easily but has to jump the bridge form top h’capper to Grade 1 horse.

Tranquil Sea: Made a great start to the season, fulfilling promise he showed early on his novice days when hacking up in Paddy Power Gold Cup; Got beaten at 2 miles by Golden Silver over Xmas before hacking up again in the Newlands Chase; Ran a shocker in the Ryanair and not the type that jumps out at you for this, and must bounce back.

War Of Attrition: Even though he is not the force he was when winning the 2006 Gold Cup, but has been great over hurdles this season a credit to all; Unlikely to be in shakeup but done connections proud.

Jy V’ole: Lightly raced last season, with only win coming here at this festival last year where she romped home by 14 lengths (well placed and well handicapped);Seems to have come right back to her every best and more judged by her run in Ryanair and her romp in Red Mills Chase; Didn’t stay on over this trip in Lexus but stable not in great form at that time and ground very heavy.

VERDICT: On all form, Denman should win, and win well at his best this season (which is probably his Hennessy win off 161). He does however, seem happy on a left – handed track and at 13/8, might be best left alone. Joncol ran an awesome race to beat Cooldine but that horse might be in better form and will like the ground a lot more. Cooldine actually appeals as an e/w bet at around 9/2 & 11/2 but he really emptied badly in the Gold Cup and bombed at this meet after winning the RSA Chase in easy fashion. After an even harder race on softening ground, I couldn’t be having him as a real place banker. It’s an unknown about her staying 3 miles, but J’Y VOLE has really picked up for that and should go well with her stable in blistering form.