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Decent entry as usual for this……
Brutal race for me with only one win, and a couple of places in the last ten years. Won’t stop me trying though.
I’ll look at a handful of the entries, and then probably revisit at final decs…..
Rocky’s Treasure – Bit of a surprise to see him entered for this, but not so much of a surprise to see him as market leader. More than acceptable run behind Santini at Newbury, which was followed up by a very impressive win at Doncaster. Looks very nicely treated, and I always like Novices in races of this nature. If not for his entry in The Novice Chase on the same card, he’d be rock solid for this. 8’s
Ibis Du Rheu – Trainer has had some fine Saturday winners as usual this term, and not out of the question that this could be another. He also holds an entry in that Novice Chase on the card. Very nice runner at Cheltenham in November, though Theatre Territory hardly franked the form next time, while The Worlds End, who thumped him at Cheltenham next time, receiving weight, hardly endorsed the form next time at Kempton either. Still, I’d be inclined not to take that too literally, and I’d give him a live chance here, should he line up. 9’s
Calett Mad – He does tend to throw in the odd howler, but no doubt that the ability is there. Really decent run behind Harry The Viking at Kelso though, in The Borders National. That puts him bang in the picture here, with stamina assured. Has proved a risky Antepost proposition over the last couple of years though. 9’s
Milansbar – Last years winner, who went on to run a fine race at Aintree. Very likeable sort, and though 6lbs higher from last year, his form “post Warwick” suggests that shouldn’t be an issue. I thought his seasonal debut at Sandown was encouraging, and an obvious player. 10’s
Impulsive Star – No disgrace in finishing fourth in last years National Hunt Chase, considering those ahead of him, and off the back of a decent prep at Plumpton, where he shaped very well, he’s very much shortlist material. On a very generous looking mark. 10’s
Step Back – Came from nowhere to land The Bet365 Gold Cup At Sandown in April, as impressive a winner of that race as I can remember. Raised 14 lbs for that, but he deserved it. I thought it was a run that hinted at “Gold Cup”, but his comeback at Chepstow was underwhelming. I thought we’d have seen him since, which hints at a setback, but if all’s well, he could easily figure here. As much as that Gold Cup idea looks a pipe dream now, should he get an entry for it this week, then I’d look even closer at him here. 10’s
Cogry – Last years runner up, who’s been kept busy since. A more than acceptable start to this season, including last time, with a game win at Cheltenham. Few pounds higher now, but serious place material here at the very least. 12’s
Sizing Codelco – Blew me away at the tail end of the 16/17 Season, and I was confident of bigger and better things. It wasn’t to be though, and last season was a damp squib. Signs of recovery in the spring though, and there’s at least something to build on. Big ask off this weight though, and he’d have to be back to his very best. 12’s
Un Temps Pour Tout – Of huge interest on the back of his back to back wins in The Ultima, but of less appeal off the back of a long layoff, and a rather flat comeback over hurdles. Hard to know what to expect. 16’s
Ultragold – Best known for his heroics in The Topham. Popular opinion seems to be that he doesn’t quite get an extended three miles, but I thought his run in The Becher was encouraging with regards to trip. He appeared to be “cooked” at The Elbow. He wasn’t though, and he kept on very well. This might not look the most obvious target on first glance, but I don’t know, I can just see him running a big race. This would be a career best, but it’s not as if he hasn’t surprised before, and he’s just too big. 25’s
Alfie Spinner – He holds no secrets, but just a very admirable veteran, who ran very well for a long way at Chepstow. I can’t possibly write him off here, and I can easily see him making the frame. Sporting price as well. 33’s
Those are the ones that immediately jump out then, but in a race of this nature, I’d have to have a second look once the final line up is known.
I will almost certainly play one of those at the head of the market, but not now. It’s a tight wee market, and the books look to have it pretty much spot on, with the exception of one….
I’m not saying he’ll be my #1 on the day, and he can’t even be considered a certain starter, but in a race where I had little intention of an Antepost play, I have to take a chance on the Tizzard horse.
Ultragold 25’s Win
I watched the finish to the Becher the other day to remind myself of how Ultragold finished. Indeed he looked like staying on in the final strides and while there are definitely more convincing stayers; i can’t ignore him, especially given the form Tizzard is in. The better ground could more than help his cause too.
Alfie Spinner and Un Temps Pour Tout are the others I’m interested in.
Good entry.
If Ultragold runs in this and wins, it ruins his chances of National glory and his Aintree record is superb ( he’s related to First Gold, who also loved Aintree )
Yeah, that was a concern Mark, but I just thought he looked way the wrong price.
Still to go with main bet, and with Ultragold holding at the 25’s, I should just stick with him, adding him to the 4 places.
Step Back is potentially still ahead of his mark by some bit, but he and Codelco, like Ultragold, don’t really want their marks blown for Aintree, presuming that’s the plan for them too.
I will play another though, and it’ll be either Ibis Du Rheu, or Impulsive Star.
I think this race is real tricky and have just had a small each way bet on CROSSPARK at 20/1 four places. Finished fourth in the race last year and is a pound lower this time around and has Harry Skelton up which is an interesting jockey booking.
Like I said it is tricky though and I can make a case for about six of them
If he repeats that Sandown performance, he’s band there mate. I’m taking the gamble that Aintree is the plan, but he’s a big player here for sure.
Nice work, as ever, Bobby. Step Back for me – graded horse in a handicap. Reportedly targeting the National. A twitterite tells me: Step Back for me too Joe, was fancied to run very well by connections in the Ladbroke but was pulled at the 5 day stage due to a niggle, pulled again a few weeks later when down to return.
Supposedly been working very well in the run up to this, so fingers crossed 3rd times luckyCheers Joe. I really thought there was a chance he’d be in The Gold Cup Joe, but not to be, sounds as if it things haven’t been plain sailing, but that really was some performance in The Bet365.
Good news for you is I’m not jinxing him. Could easily have him, Impulsive Star, or Cogry here, but got to keep it tight.
I’m just going to top up on Ultragold each way to the 25’s again, four places here, and I’ve bet Ibis Du Rheu to cover my Ultragold stake.
I like Caroles Destrier at 10/1 EW. Stormed home at Newbury two weeks ago. 3m5f might be his ideal distance. Only 3 pounds up for that and overall he is still ways below his mark from two seasons ago.
I love this race after One For Arthur screamed National winner when he won it in 2017. I don’t think there’s a national winner here though. Saying that, Ultragold loves the national fences and will probably go well. I’m not sure him winning today would be the plan if Aintree is (as expected) the number one target though. Unlike Arthur, he doesn’t need to get his mark hi in this.
It’s a tricky race to bet on but I’ve thrown a few quid at Callett Mad. I thought he looked good in himself last time. Whilst hes not massively consistent, he’s worth a crack as a guaranteed stayer.
Callett Mad @ 9/1
IMPULSIVE STAR ew at 7/1 with 4 places looks very tempting.
Was only 2 1/2 lengths behind Sizing Tenesse in the 4miler at last years festival off level weights. Sizing Tenesse won the ladbroke trophy beating the gold cup winner in waiting in the process.
This is very strong chase form that Impulsive Star has yet he is exceptionally well.handicapped. Sam Wahey Cohen on board taking an extra 3lb off today。This is a far better horse than his rating of 133 implies and carrying bottom weight here of just 10 stone 1.
Had a nice easy come back at plumpton to put him hopefully spot on for this.The track will really give this horse an advantage. Loves to make all or be up with the pace so this sharp turning track will play to the favour of the prominent runners.
Impulsive Star will never be a gold cup winner but this is his gold cup today and he should be very hard to beat.
I was on Carole’s Destrier to win the Mandarin and won’t desert him now, despite the fact he’s far from consistent these days. On peak form he’s still well handicapped.
Colin Tizzard has been doing very well in recent weeks and I think Sizing Codelco is overpriced on his past performances. He ran a cracker when last seen and arrives fresh.
I’ll also give a chance to Ibis Du Rheu as I think he’ll relish the trip and could creep into this.
Carole’s Destrier 11/1
Sizing Codelco 16/1
Ibis Du Rheu 15/2Sizing Codelco 22/1 I’d thought that it would be a case of watching him this
time to see if there are signs of him getting back to his decent form of nearly 2 years ago.
But I didn’t expect to see him on offer at 22/1 and that’s just too big not to take a chance
with him e/w 4 places. He’s been off for a year so it has to be taken on trust that Tizzard
has him forward enough to take a hand here, but he did look to be going the right way when
giving weight to everything and going down by 1/2L when last seen at Uttoxeter back in May.
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