5.30 Punchestown
Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup (Grade 1) (Class 1) (5YO plus)
Winner €96,000
Follow The Plan: Sprung a surprise in Kinloch Brae Chase but
not done much since, and beaten when falling at last in Leopardstown Handicap
Chase; Good effort to be third in Totesport Bowl but well beaten behind winner
Nacarat and benefitted from below – par performances of others.
Kauto Star: Confirmed himself as one of outstanding chasers
of modern time when trashing 2009 Gold Cup field by 13 lengths (becoming only
horse to regain Cheltenham Gold Cup in process) and looked set for the three
timer after a demolition job in King George (one of highest rated performances
ever); Came back seemingly as good as ever when beating Sizing Europe at Down
Royal but well beaten behind Long Run in King George; Bettered that performance
in Gold Cup, able to go with Long Run and Denman from two out, before age
showed in last furlong; That best form in field, and he has missed Aintree for
this (had 48 day break); One to beat on form.
Kempes: Comprehensive winner of Grade 1 novice chase
equivalent at last year’s festival ; Ran cracking races on first two race this
season, the first when making the frame over a trip a mile short of his best
and the second being unseated when just about to get into the Lexus Chase last
month; Made amends when winning Irish Hennessy at Leopardstown in clear cut
style, and while disappointing in Gold Cup, likely to put that behind him on
home turf.
Nacarat: Confirmed revival after poor run of form with easy
Charlie Hall Chase win & Performed with credit when attempting to lead all
the way in the Betfair Chase and trying same tactics in King George, but
failure to see out his race again in Racing Post Chase; Entirely different
story when leading all the way in Totesport Bowl latest (main rivals
disappointed; Easy lead) and while some doubts over form, he’ll be the one to
beat if over that effort.
Rare Bob: High class handicapper & winner of big
handicap chase at Leopardstown this season, winning race with immaculate round
of jumping from the front under top – weight; Not reached same form since and
this presumably too classy for him.
Roberto Goldback: Taken his form to new level over past two
seasons and started well with a third behind Traquil Sea and J’yVole; Held form
over the season until finding Ryanair Chase too tough and although he won a
small contest with ease, others preferred.
Tranquil Sea; Unable to make any impact in the Melling
Chase, having missed the Ryanair through injury (may have been short of peak
fitness too) after two stylish wins this season; Sixth in this on good ground
last year and while he may be better physically this time round, suspicion is
that he wants more ease in the ground than he’ll get.
Vic Venturi: Shown his liking for these fences when winning
Becher Chase two seasons ago and still going well when unseating at Becher’s
Brook last year; Solid enough fourth behind Midnight Club in Bobbyjo but very
flat effort afterwards & and hard to fancy having been brought down in
Grand National.
VERDICT: KEMPES is the token choice to turnaround an awful
run in the Cheltenham Gold Cup on home ground. He has a great race at the
festival and did something similar before winning a Grade 1 novice chase here a
year ago. Nacarat should go well but may be at an disadvantage if he gets taken
on for the lead here, while Kauto Star holds an excellent chance on ground that
will suit, although it remains to be seen if he has the finishing kick he once
had.
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