5.30 Punchestown
Bet Online With Thetote.com Punchestown Gold Cup (Grade 1)
(Class 1) (5YO plus)
Winner €90,000
Advice: 1 pt win, 3 pts place Captain Chris (6/1 general,
10/11 general)
Captain Chris: Nowhere to bee seen at the business end of
Gold Cup but that run best ignored as it’s become clear he’s far better going
right handed, and serious form chance based on his close up second to Long Run
in King George on heavy ground before then; Mistake when eyeballing Cue Card
(most impressive winner of festival barring Sprinter Sacre) ended his chance in
Ascot Chase but no shame in that and should go well today. 
Chicago Grey: No hoper here after not enjoying the National
course as so many thought that he would.
First Lieutenant: Now fully established himself as a top
class Irish chaser, fully confirming the belief that connections held in him as
a 3 mile chaser when fighting for hard fought win in Betfred Bowl at Aintree;
That effort (along with Lexus Chase second earlier in season) makes him one of
the form horses here but had hard race there and this the end of a long season
with softer ground than ideal. 
Kauto Stone: Seems to be best in the Autumn; Would have a
fine chance based on his one length defeat of First Lieutenant at Down Royal
earlier in the season but failed to find any form since and hard to fancy here.
Long Run: Not dominated the chasing scende as some thought
was possible after 2011 Gold Cup but record of 17 top three finishes from 17
chase starts is incredible; Third for the second successive season in Gold Cup
but ran with far more credit this year, always prominent, generally jumping
well and giving way late on to Sir Des Champs and Bobs Worth; Had beaten
Captain Chris in King George before that, so as solid a form chance as any here
and value in the race. 
Quito De la Roque: Bounced back after training problems held
him up earlier this term but long way behind First Lieutant at Aintree. 
Riverside Theatre: Had looked to be ready made for staying
trips when landing attritional Ryanair, but not shown his best since for
various reasons (health problems); Well behind First Lieutenant at Cheltenham
but that his first run since King George and should be in better shape here,
although he’d have wanted much better ground, and winning may be far fetched.
Sir Des Champs: Ireland’s outstanding novice chaser last
season, and long fancied for the Gold Cup since; Hasn’t had the most successful
of season but clearly just building for spring and Hennessy win at Leopardstown
was great build-up for Gold Cup second, in which he was well beaten by Bobs
Worth; Very tired at the end of that race but had 40 days to recover and worthy
favourite here for all that another heavy ground race may push him.
Advice: A top class renewal with the best staying chasers –
Bobs Worth apart – all present. Sir Des Champs has a fine chance here and is a
worthy favourite to deny Long Run again and uphold Gold Cup form, but the value
in the race may be found with CAPTAIN CHRIS, who loves going right handed, had
an easier race than most in the Gold Cup, is a previous festival winner and
will have no problem with the ground.
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