Vote A.P. Gold Cup 2010

2.30 Cheltenham
Vote A.P. Gold Cup (Grade 3 Handicap Chase) (Class 1) (4YO plus)
Winner £85,515

Pick: Mad Max (each/way)

Poquelin: Has risen 12bs since romping home in this last year and has since run to a second in the Ryanair (disappointing in Melling Chase); Proved still very effective off this weight when a close second to Monet’s Garden in the Old Roan and ran with credit when fifth in the Paddy Power last time, and even though he will need to stop up on that he can still be taken with credit.

Mad Max; Giant horse who made waves over hurdles when only beaten in Ballymore hre at the festival; Was always going to make up into a better chaser, and made a great start when giving a sound beating to some good horses; Disappointing when beaten into third but proved he wants better ground a lot when running a big race in the Arkle, and excelled himself to finish fourth considering he made massive mistake four out (Put that right when slamming a below – par Somersby at Aintree ); Well beaten into fourth in Paddy Power last time but was going well enough 3 out until blowing up badly; Beaten 17 lengths but you can expect huge improvement for the run (and better ground) and 9lbs better off here with Carberry booking suitable (he rode him to fourth in Arkle last season).

Little Josh: Jumped better than most of his previous starts when dead heating with very promising Weird Al at Carlisle and confirmed himself new horse when romping home in Paddy Power Gold Cup, never looking like getting caught from long way out; Up 9lbs but if he jumps same as he did last time, that should be indifferent; Will be followed closely by many jockeys however and this harder.

Phsycho: Very useful hurdler (should have won Country Hurdle at Cheltenham Festival) who dotted up on 2 of his four chasing starts last season, and was going very well when coming down 6 out in the Ryanair Novice Chase last season (behind Captain Cee Bee); Absolutely slammed consistent novice Osana last time at Naas and well worth chance here on that basis.

Robinson Collonges: Look a heavy fall at Wincanton when looking likely winner at the time (winner who he was giving 7lbs has since run very well in good company) but atoned for that blip with a facile success at Hereford; Has massive potential but on stiff mark nonetheless and inexperience could really stop him.

Dave’s Dream: Took advantage of mark of just 137 to bolt up at Open Meeting last time, looking as if wind operation had played it’s part in improvement; That impressive and choice of Barry Geraghty is very encouraging but has flattered to deceive similarly in past and trip major issue (looked for all the world a 2 mile specialist last time).

Northern Alliance: Fifth in Kerry National in September and kept on the boil with a recent outing over hurdles at Naas last month; Should stay and capable rider (worth 5lbs) takes off weight but not much to recommend him apart from that.

Fingeronthepulse: Won Jewson at 2008 Cheltenham Festival and emerged from doldrums to land Galway Plate in July; Lost nothing In defeat when third in Kerry National but lacklustre in Paddy Power and one feels that McCoy would be on Sunnyhillboy if weight allowed.

Noble Alan: Scottish Champion Hurdle winner who has improved with the experience for racing over fences (form reads 1F211613); Ran as if step up back to this trip (has won over 2m4f) would definitely suit so not out of things.

Calgary Bay: Showed some immense promise in his novice chasing season before going well off the boil; Was seriously impressive when landing Doncaster handicap but well beaten in Gold Cup and Totesport Bowl since; Hasn’t fulfilled promise but best at this time of year and trip, ground and mark are all tailored to suit.

Great Endeavour: Only his fourth run over fences and ninth of his career when landing the Byrne Group Plate at the Festival; Disappointing that he was so well beaten in Paddy Power but should really improve and can’t be ruled out.

Sunnyhillboy: Lightly raced, progressive and simply had too much to do when second behind Great Endeavour in the Bryne Group Plate at the Festival( was 2lbs better off for 1 ¼ lengths as a result in Paddy Power);Failed to turn that form around in Paddy Power and while he should do better here, hard to see him winning.

Gonebyondrecall: Made major improvement of late for headgear p Killarney maiden win in a handicap at Listowel in September; Disappointing when stepped up in grade last time and hard to make a strong case for him here.

Duers: Won five chases in his career so far and was comfortable winner of a Punchestown event off a mark of 128; Has it all to do in miles tougher race from out of handicap through strict formline with Gonebeyondrecall.

Mathui: Would seemingly have it to do from this mark but is well in form of his life, having beaten very useful five Dream by 9 lengths at Ascot before splitting split well-handicapped/unexposed types in a strongly run race at Newbury last time; Has a good chance from out of handicap.

Pigeon Island: Came hard and late to win Grand Annual here last season at the festival but hammered off new mark at Aintree and didn’t look any better when well beaten on return; Long way back in Paddy Power and hard to recommend.

VERDICT: A fascinating race and packed with contenders. Little Josh is the only place to start after winning the Paddy Power so impressively last time. He should go close band a 9lbs rise may not stop him but he’ll be followed all the way and has it hard here. Great Endeavour and notably Sunnyhillboy are fancied to turn things around from the Paddy Power but MAD MAX shaped really well in the Paddy Power and has every chance of running a big race this time. He’s taken over Dave’s Dream on accounts of trip and class, despite Barry Geraghty choosing the former. Robinson Collonges could be anything but I have a feel that this will come too soon for him. The biggest threat is Physcho.