Paddy Power Gold Cup 2011

2.35 Cheltenham

Paddy Power Gold Cup Chase (Grade 3 Handicap) (Class 1)  (4YO plus)

Winner £85,425

Advice: 1 pt each/way Loosen My Load (16/1 general) 0.5 pt each/way Great Endeavour (12/1 general), 1 pt each/way Divers (16/1 Paddy Power)

Poquelin: Consistent as ever last season although he didn’t live up to tag of favouritism in Ryanair Chase for second season running (albeit his efforts beforehand justifying that favouritism); Ran a disappointing race when fifth and well beaten in the Charlie Hall Chase and while he should improve for that (remains capable of winning an event like this, as he should when winning the December Gold Cup last year), others are preferred.

Wishfull Thinking: Top novice chaser last season who gained quite a following with his front running exploits, bolting up in handicap chase here before brave second at the Festival; Followed that up with bold front running performances at Aintree/Punchestown and major threat here despite massive mark.

 

Oiseau De Nuit: Decisive winner of Grand Annual Chase last season  and held his held high afterwards; Promising return when third in Haldon Gold Cup and would be much shorter than current price if stamina was assured.

Loosen My Load: Developed into crack novice chaser last season, third at this meeting last year and then again at the Festival; Reappeared with easy win at Navan but unsuited by a slowly run four runner race when beaten at 1/2 ; This kind of test should suit and no surprise to see him go really well, especially on good ground.

Mon Parrain: Only had two runs in England since coming from France but has already left a huge impression, unextended to win on debut at Sandown by 22 lengths before coming second in the Topham, having marvelled with near perfect round of jumping beforehand; No reason found for “defeat” there, with connections mystified afterwards; Masses of potential and should make a bold bid although value gone.

Great Endeavour: Made more steady improvement last season, disappointing in last year’s renewal (race – fitness might have been found wanting after going wide); Big effort in the December Gold Cup and even bigger in the 3 mile handicap chase at the Festival, where he raced very hard from a long way out; No surprise he was over the top at Aintree and can go well here if ready.

 

Dave’s Dream: Dave’s Dream: Took advantage of mark of just 137 to bolt up at Open Meeting last year, looking as if wind operation had played it’s part in improvement; Disappointing in December Gold Cup but can do better and unbeaten after a break, so still commands interest although others preferred.  

Holmwood Legend: Clear winner of Bryne Group Plate at the Festival and then backed that up with second to Poquelin, although she’s a little worse off now; Interesting at big prices given that this situation should bring the best out of her.

The Giant Bolster: Takes liberties at his fences sometimes but plenty of class to go with that, as he showed when winning on trials day; Shaped well over hurdles at Chepstow when fourth in Silver Trophy and should go well off the back of that, although jumping mistakes are a worry.

Finger On The Pulse: Talented enough when he wants to be, as shown when winning the Jewson at the 2008 Festival, before winning the Galway Plate sometime later; No reason why he should better his two midfield efforts in handicaps last year.

Calgary Bay: Plenty of talent (as shown in his novice days) and still retains that based on his fourth in December Gold Cup last year (then when second to Whishfull Thinking); Never got chance to see how he’d go over National fences but no wins first time out which doesn’t bode well here.

Ardalur: Seemed set for big things when winning Grade 2 over hurdles in 2008 and bounced back from injury in good style over hurdles last season; Getting hampered on chase return didn’t help him at all and potentially interesting.

Noble Alan: Proven a little disappointing since running a big race in December Gold Cup last season but would have gone very close if not unseating at Market Rasen latest; Talent there but jumping a worry.

Quantativeeasing: Looked as if sky was the limit earlier on in career over hurdles and while he hasn’t quite lived up to that promise, he did well for himself last year when getting hang of thing over fences; Outpointed and beaten by Divers in Novices Chase at Festival before not staying the course in Irish National, and while he’s got a solid each/way chance, others preferred.

Swincombe Rock: Didn’t build on the solid start he made when winning at Perth and Huntingdon last autumn, but back to some sort of form when runner up over three miles at Chepstow; 4lbs out of handicap here and not in same league as stable’s other winners of this race.

Aerial: Made a mockery of handicap mark of 126 when romping home at Wincanton before getting turned over in novice chase at Ascot in tongue tie; Not seen since and might want more cut in the ground to show his best.

Tullamore Dew: Ran a screamer to take third under topweight in the Centenary Chase (behind Divers and Quantativeeasing) at the Festival and solid run at Chepstow on reappearance; Up 5lbs on chase mark for that and feasible but still, first two from that race preferred.

Divers: Beneficiary of a great ride when winning Novices handicap chase at the Festival, with plenty in hand over Quantativeeasing and Tullamore Dew; Awful return to action last month but if that forgiven he’s got plenty going for him and yard’s record in this bodes very well.

Bille Magern: As game as they come, competing a 4 timer in weak novice events last year but holding his head high when pitched into better company; Won well last month here but this much harder off an 11lbs higher mark.

Fine Parchment: Enjoyed a feast of wins last season including Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury; Solid return at Aintree last time out but this could be too good for him.

VERDICT: The race that tells us the jumps season is well and truly back. Mon Parrain brings a world of potential to the table and could be streets ahead of the rest but this is a tougher race than the Topham and he’s a short price at just 5/1 – he can win, but the value in the race lies elsewhere. Whisfull Thinking is of major interest with his fine jumping from last season fresh in the mind, but it’s hard to ignore the low weight of LOOSEN MY LOAD, who travelled very well in the Jewson last season, enjoys good ground at this trip, and should be fit for two runs this season, the last of which should be ignored. The other two that make appeal are GREAT ENDEAVOUR, who still has the potential to land a big race off his mark based on some excellent runs last season, and DIVERS, who has already landed a similar race at the Festival and holds serious claims on that form.