2.30 Cheltenham
Paddy Power Gold Cup Chase (Grade 3 Handicap) (Class 1) (4YO plus)
Winner £91,120
Advice: 2 pts each/way Nadiya De La Vega (12/1 general), 1
pt each/way Champion Court (8/1 general), 0.5 pts each/way Astracad (20/1 general)
Finian’s Rainbow: Real class act, a winner of Champion Chase
in 2012 and top 2m chaser until disappointing last season when never close to
that form in four runs last season, albeit that heavy ground didn’t suit him
twice and he’s now dropped to mark of 163 for those efforts (better when second
at Sandown over 2m at end of last season); Given fair chance by handicapper. 
Whishfull Thinking: Serious horse at his best (terrific
novice season when first or second at all four big festivals) but had breathing
issues since, including when well beaten in this race 2 years ago as favourite;
Won twice last year and no disgraced elsewhere but vulnerable based on his limp
run at Aintree behind Conqusito latest. 
Champion Court: Loves it around here; Good novice who
improved on that form when fourth in the King George, having gone the best for
a long way before stamina gave out; Couldn’t run as well when only fifth in the
Ryanair, although he did try to go head to head with Cue Card on that occasion,
and limited handicap win over Menorah gives him very strong chance. 
Rajdhani Express: Soared some 30lbs in the ratings after
string of successes that included win in novices’ handicap at the Festival
(first 2 were well clear) and Grade 2 at Ayr afterwards, 15 lengths clear of
Tap Night having been left clear infront at last when involved in prolonged
battle up the straight; Has to be respected once again here for all one wonders
how much he’ll have ahead of handicapper after such rises. 
Conqusito: Got the better of Astracad for valuable 2m4f
prize at Aintree on return, having been touched off in similar contest at
Hayodock on return (previously won well at Ayr); This significantly harder and
not on the best terms with Astracad but deserves respect at the very least here.
Hidden Cyclone: One time extremely promising novice who was
tipped for big things following promising novice hurdling season and successes
on first two novice chases, but proven disappointing since and well beaten on
last handicap start in similar contest in Ireland. 
Vino Griego: Very decent handicapper, winning very decent
contests here and at Ascot before Festival second; Not upto Graded company at
end of a long season and might want more cut in the ground too here. 
Battle Group: Has been given a new lease of life by new
stable for stepping up to 3 miles on good ground, winning his last three in
fine style including handicap hurdle and chase in space of 2 days at Aintree’s
Grand National meeting before handicap another good handicap hurdle at Haydock;
Could have yet more to offer still although up in class and back in trip
significantly. 
Woolcombe Folly: One time Champion Chase fancy after string
of novice and handicap chase win and runner-up in three consecutive handicaps
this summer; Latest sixth to John’s Sprit better than it looks on the formbook
and weighted to go well although still a feeling that others have been more
fairly threatening. 
Tap Night: Career best when second (stepped back upto 2m4f after tilt
at the Arkle) in Grade 1 novice at Aintree but presumably not right when 15
lengths behind Tap Night at Ayr and while Carlisle reappearance will have
gotten him spot on for this, could have expected a little more; Respected. 
Kumbeshwar: Loveable and uber consistent hurdler/chaser who
has held his own at top level before (notably in season spent 2m chasing) but
who has also been raced hard and looked exposed coming towards the end of last
season; Latest effort at Exeter was creditable but that of an exposed horse. 
Carrickboy: Never quite know what you’ll be getting with him
but he comes from a very in form yard and he was a 50/1 Festival winner last
year; Shown little since (57 lengths behind Champion Court in first run since)
and similar story when last seen; Worse outsiders but very much leaving things
to chance. 
Ballynagour: Ex-French chaser who made a mockery of his
opening mark as so many do on UK debut at Warwick and travelling well within
himself before he broke a blood vessel (as he has done in France) when
favourite for festival handicap over C&D; If he’s on his best form he’s a
huge player. 
Astracad: Seventh and
beaten out of sight when 10/1 and fancied for December’s version of this race
over C&D (heavy ground did him no favours) More in his fifth to Johns
Spirit here than would meet the eye and runner-up, in second time tongue-tie in
last three starts, to Conquisto at Aintree latest; If first time visor can
improve him then entitled to be taken seriously here. 
Easter Meteor: Second to Nadiya De La Vega last Octotber,
before impressive Doncaster win followed by well beaten fourth behind Champion
Court; would be good deal shorter if not for two flops this term, first when unable
to raise a gallop behind John’s Sprit and no much better when second 
Nadiya De La Vega: Quality mare who has established herself
since arriving from France; Took her fantastic first time out record to 4 wins
from 4 on reappearance when landing well contested handicap at Showcase meeting
last year in style; Well beaten third in this last year but 5lbs higher in
handicap and one of few left standing in brutal, deep ground affair; Ground got
better of her in December Gold Cup, on trials day, and then at Festival didn’t
stay), but back on decent surface and convicting winner at Fairyhouse in graded
company (not at best on bad ground since); Gets decent surface again today and
can go very close. 
John’s Spirit: 9 length second to Katkenko at Sandown last
December but not in the same form (two bad late mistakes didn’t help his cause
on previous course visits) before winning from well off the pace in same race
Nadiya De La Vega won last season; 10lbs rise entirely justified and likely he
has more to give still so shortlisted. 
Colour Squadron: Had threatened to make a very decent novice
chaser (second in Grade 1 over hurdles) but continued and persistent hanging
tarnished his chances, especially when favourite for the novices’ handicap
chase at the Festival; More needed but if he stays straight, likely to think
there’s more he’s got to offer. 
Gift of Dgab: Absent with injury for 17 months but a very
good novice before that and travelled like a horse that retained at leas that
ability before tank went in Kerry National; Disappointing over hurdles latest
but still capable and not without his chance if that talent’s still there. 
Attaglance: Not as convincing over his fences as he is over
his hurdles, and struggled as a c chaser last season; Well in on best form but
6lbs wrong and has to get over his fences better to be considered.
VERDICT: A renewal possibly missing the second season star
in waiting, but not without a touch of class and as competitive as ever.
There’s still a sense that Ballynagour could be a step ahead of the handicapper
and has something more to offer but this is infinitely more difficult than
either of his two UK starts and others make a touch more appeal. CHAMPION COURT
was travelling the best in the King George last season before his stamina gave
way on heavy ground and he couldn’t run the finish out of them in a good
Ryanair Chase, but his typically game success over C&D is some of the best
form here and gives him a fighting chance. Of those lower in the weights, John’s Sprit and Colour Squadron
have more to give if putting in a clean round and staying straight, while towards the top end of the handicap, Finian’s
Rainbow and Rajdhani Express can be given realistic chances, but NADIYA DE LA
VEGA’s excellent first time out record draws attention to her chances and with
the sound surface that she craves, she can go much closer than her distant
third in a brutal renewal last year. ASTRACAD gets clear preference of the outsiders and looks too big at 20/1.
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