Powers Gold Cup 2013

4.30 Fairyhouse

Powers Gold Cup (Grade 1 Novice Chase) (Class 1)  (5YO plus)

Winner €58,500

Advice: 1 pt each/way Buckers Bridge (8/1 Paddy Power, 17/2 Bet Victor)

Buckers Bridge: Only been beaten once in 5 races under rules, clearly amiss when running an absolute shocker when beaten 102 length here in the Drinmore Chase (had previously beaten Grade 3 hurdling winner on their chasing debut); First run since when winning 2m1f Grade 2 event form consistent and prolific runner up (albeit receiving weight to balance fact that trip was too short for him, Dedigout well behind); Least exposed in the field with just three chase starts to name and looked the one who will be most appreciative of 2m4f in heavy ground.

Dedigout: Hasn’t quite contained the metronymic constancy that made him a Grade 1 winning hurdler this season, winning beginners’ chase at Punchestown in good style before being slammed by Arvika Legionnaire in the Drimore here; Desperately disappointing over 3m at Leopardstown and well behind Buckers Burdge before winning well at Naas three weeks ago; Chance.

Mikael D’Haugenet: Has suffered loss of form since being so promising as novice hurdler but still retain considerable talent as shown by two of his chasing wins this season (one ahead of ; Could well have had 4 had it not been for jumping errors, closing on Argocat at Christmas when coming down 5 out and set to win (travelling ominously well to say least) when hitting the third last at Naas latest; More than good enough but jumping a major issue.

Mount Benulben: Patchy chasing career but has only had one real blot on copybook, when pulled up in same 3m Grade 1 that Dedigout disappointed in; Jumped right thoughought when fourth in Grade 2 but hard not to like the way that he went about his business at Thurles latest and more than enough ability to lay down a serious challenge here.

Oscars Well: One of the best of these over hurdles - unlucky not to have won Neptune Hurdle at Cheltenham 2011 – but worst chasing effort so far when dire, 20 length second to Beneficent ( was making fight of it until the last – still set to lose - when he banked it totally and was eased; he may have won Jewson but that inconclusive)  more than enough talent to take a hand but worry that he’s got something to prove and better ground ideal.

Realt Mor: Only had the two runs for Noel Meade but can’t fail to be impressed with how he burned his rivals at Navan nearly a month ago, with only hint of a mistake coming at the second last; Serious step up in class but could get few in trouble.

VERDICT: An uber competitive renewal with any one of the 6 being realistic winners. All have some question to answer, but one could argue that BUCKERS BRIDGE is the most suited towards 2m4f on heavy ground out of the sextet and he looks to be the value of the field if one discounts his dire run in the Drinmore here when behind Dedigout, form he reversed when winning a Grade 2 over a trip too short for his liking latest. Mikael D’Haugenet and Oscars Well have the two best pieces of hurdling form into her race but are blighted by their jumping, and Mount Benbulben looks to be a worthy favorite.