BetVictor Gold Cup 2017

Always a good feeling when you can say that this race is “Next Month”, and really looking forward to this one again.

I always think it may be advisable to wait until something comes to light at The Jackpot Meeting, but I can never resist an early go on this one.

The one I’ve had my eye on for months in this, is Foxtail Hill, from the Nigel Twiston-Davies yard. He came through the ranks nicely last season, and we never got a chance to see where he was at, when he fell in The Close Brother Novice Chase at The Festival. Before that, he had won in style at Kempton, before gamely holding on from Saphir Du Rheu here next time out. Not the greatest run at Aintree, but he was a lot better here next time. Overall, his last couple of runs are probably not enough, but I just think he’s miles better than that, and he represents connections who are bound to send him for this. I don’t think his wins at Kempton & Cheltenham last year were the wins of a 140 horse, and I really feel that his whole season was geared towards that effort in The Close Bros Novices. I really do think this is part of a long term plan, and he’s a very nice each way price at 33’s.

That Close Brother Novices might throw up another couple of (obvious) contenders, not least the winner Tully East. He won well, and though clearly nowhere near that next time at Punchestown, his handicap mark has escaped relatively unscathed, and he must have a chance, should he travel. There were a couple further back who I haven’t forgotten about either, and they are Mixboy & Double W’s. Mixboy blazed a trail that day, and I just thought with a bit more restraint, he might have had more left at the end. Admittedly not the most obvious choice, but he represents owners who like runners in all the big chases, and fresh from a win last weeek on the level at Ripon, he won’t lack for fitness. Double W’s is sure to go here, his trainer regularly targets it, and although he ran out of juice at Cheltenham, he was an impressive winner at Aintree next time out. I think he’s perfect for this, and though he wouldn’t be in the same class as his stablemate, Waiting Patiently, he’s got to come into the reckoning here. Waiting Patiently himself could be a very interesting candidate for this, but a lot will depend on how he overcomes his injury. It goes without saying that Cloudy Dream is another star from that yard, but I can see a step up in trip this season, considering who owns him, though a major player if he does take this in. If I had to pick another from that Cheltenham race though, it would be the runner up, Gold Present, from the Nicky Henderson yard. Clearly going the right way last year, and can easily be forgiven a spill over the Aintree fences, and he’s still on a lovely mark.

Theinval, stablemate of Gold Present, is a horse I always give a mention to, and although he didn’t quite get the big win I expected to last season, he ran plenty of good races in defeat, most notably here in The Grand Annual, and als towards the tail end of the season. Wouldn’t want it too soft, but he’ll be worth a look. Talking of horses I always give a mention to, that brings me quite nicely to Cheltenham stalwart Thomas Crapper. He seemed to have went off the boil for a while, but he came back with a bang at Newbury, before making the frame in The Brown Advisory Plate at The Festival. He’s only off 137, and you can almost guarantee he’ll be entered for this, and I wouldn’t be in a rush to write him off.

That Brown Advisory Plate is another good source of prospects here, and the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th that day must also come into the equation, namely Baron Alco, who really travelled well that day, Bouvreil, and Starchitect.

Baron Alco ran the race of his life, and though held in second, there was still plenty to like. Crucially, he’s only gone up 2lbs for that, and he seems to have been kept under wraps since then. Shortlist. Another from the yard to consider, and one who I think might be a real dark horse this season, is Camping Ground. He couldn’t have won easier on his stable debut, and whether it’s hurdles or fences for him this season, he might just surprise a few people. (Edit, Camping Ground sadly died of Colic last month)

Bouvreil represents the Paul Nicholls yard, and he’ll no doubt spearhead a strong entry. Very very difficult to know which ones from the yard will end up here, but surely this boy will, and why not, he has a realistic chance based on the run in The Plate. I think others to consider here would be Politologue, who’s owner John Hales would surely love a contender in this. Very promising horse, and though he’s high enough in the weights, he deserves to be, and he deserves a change in fortune, after being so unlucky at Aintree. A potential star, who I think could be lining up in The Gold Cup one day. Other from the yard to consider could be the likes of Clan Des Obeaux, Romain De Senam, As De Mee, and Frodon, but the real forgotten horse could be Aux Ptit Soins. He had a very poor time of it last season, after promising so much, but he remains extremely well treated, and if Politologue doesn’t take this in, then he could be a more than able deputy for the owner, should he revert to fences, and more importantly, should he recapture his old form.

Starchitect, who was 5th at Cheltenham in The Plate, is harder to weigh up. That run suggests this race would be ideal, but he also ran with credit when stepped up in trip at Aintree, and he might be an interesting outsider for Newbury, but I think the percentage call is that he’ll be entered here. He would be a welcome winner for David Pipe, and he’s another who runs in the colours of the Rooneys. Pipe had a talking horse for this race last season, in the shape of Kings Socks, but injury ruled him out for the season. He was well fancied for this before that setback, and if back from his injury, it’ll be interesting to see if he can live up to the hype.

Ultimately though, it’s a huge disappointment from The Plate, who’s very much on my radar for this. Diamond King was a very strong fancy that day, not least off the back of winning at the Festival the year before, but it did not go well, and he was pulled up. That doesn’t tell the full story though, as he was badly hampered by a faller, and brought to a standstill. Yes, he didn’t have a stellar season anyway, but I just keep going back to the way he was travelling that day at Cheltenham, he was just lobbing away nicely at the back, and he hadn’t even been close to being asked a question. I think he was very unlucky. To be fair, it’s not a race I immediately look to for an Irish Raider, but he’s owned by The Whateleys, who love their Cheltenham runners, and he looks incredibly well handicapped, and I would just love to see him get an entry.

As I said, not a race I really look to Ireland too much, but I think Bachasson from the Willie Mullins yard, could have a massive season, and he’s certainly been kept under wraps for something. I like him a lot, I would certainly like him for this, but I’d much prefer to see him head to Newbury. A very well handicapped horse.

Another horse who I’d prefer to see head to Newbury, is the Tizzard trained Alary. A massive hype horse last year, who quite simply, failed to deliver. Down 6lbs already though, and considering his exploits over the last couple of seasons, if any man can get him there, it’s Colin Tizzard.

I think that’s more than enough for now, but a horse who’s coming through the ranks nicely, and off of a 3 timer, is the Jamie Snowdon trained Double Treasure, and he looks just the type for this, with surely more improvement to come.

Foxtail Hill for me then at this early stage, and I think 33’s ew is very fair. I’d love to see Diamond King get an entry too. Don’t know if it’s advisable to side with 2 horses to failed to finish at The Festival, but I’m more than happy to overlook those mishaps. If pushed, Aux Ptit Soins or Baron Alco as a very leftfield 3rd string, but just the one bet for now (thankfully), as it is early.

GL