Paddy Power Gold Cup 2014

[harvey2000]

I know some bookies have priced this race up, but does anyone have an idea as to what will actually line up for this? I like the look of Oscar Whisky and Taquin du Seuil but are they likely to run?

[The Young Fella]

Clear as mud I’m afraid Harvey.

Jonjo’s quotes on Taquin Du Seuil today: "We might have a look at the Paddy Power or the Charlie Hall with him".

[The Young Fella]

The mud has been blasted away today.

Taquin Du Seuil misses the race and goes to the Charlie Hall. Oscar Whisky is an intended runner.

[JJMSports]

Backed Buywise at 14s before his prep today, watch the way he won on his final start last season round Chelts, just incredible.

Buywise and Present View for me but think the 25s about Third Intention could be a big price, if he was to take up his engagement.

[stevecaution]

Looking at this early stage I think that the JLT Novices Chase at Cheltenham may have a big bearing on the Paddy Power, with a few of the market leaders having run there and some filling the places.

The one that catches my eye and surely has more to come is the young horse Djakadam, trained by Willie Mullins for Rich Ricci’s wife Susannah.

Only five years old, this horse was close up when falling four out at Cheltenham in the race won by Taquin Du Seuil, where Double Ross, Uxizandre, Felix Yonger and Wonderful Charm filled the places and Oscar Whiskey fell at the 1st.

Most of these horses are prominent in the betting for the race and I’ll be surprised if some of them aren’t involved. Felix Yonger is also trained by Willie Mullins and obviously we will need to wait and see what actually runs but I like the look of the young horse who had won a beginners chase and a grade 2 novices chase at Leopardstown prior to coming to grief in the JLT.

Djakadam at 14/1 would be my pick at the moment.

Thanks for the good crack. Time for me to move on. Be lucky.

[The Ante-Post King]

As Steve says the Jewson holds the form for the winner of this race.I cant have ‘Johns Spirit’ 10/1 the handicapper has him in his grips now,the Fav ‘Present View’ 8/1 just isn’t good enough even though connections are trying to protect his jumps mark for this so its a case of which one?…’Taquin du Seuill’ would have been my confident selection for this as he’s a Ryanair winner in waiting,trouble is Martin Boughton thinks he’s a Gold cup horse for this season and is taking the 3m route,a year early Martin mate! I think ‘Oscar Whisky’ 9/1 will definitely turn up for this and even though he’s fast approaching 10yo,I believe he’s going to have a good season.’Double Ross’ 16/1 is a horse who’s improved no end but the handicapper has him too but again his profile suggests to me he’s going to turn up.My idea of the winner is

Uxizandre 12/1

,he’s locally trained and this race looks an obvious early season target for Alan King to kick off the season in style.I can see AP riding this one too rather than the jibber ‘Colour Squadron’ 16/1.’Uxizandre’ has masses of potential,he’s only ran 12 times,is only a 6yo and I like this fellow a lot.

[harvey2000]

Oscar Whisky for me….
Taquin du Sueil going for the betfair…some others may not show up, and after falling at the first on the JLT, was very much fancied for that, so could well have loads more to come this season. Was a class above over hurdles, so think this will be a stepping stone to a good season.

[The Ante-Post King]

I like a horse to have had a pipe-opener prior to a big engagement and

Uxizandre

runs today in a very respectable ‘Roan Chase’ at Aintree,trouble is he’s only a small horse and if he wins today his mark of 158 will see him in the 165 range for the Paddy Power and ultimately 11-10 beckons.That would put most off him for Cheltenham in a fortnight but I remember 2 other lightly made horses actually winning this prestigious race 2 years running both incidentally carrying top weight in ‘Half Free’ and ‘Bradbury Star’.Fingers crossed then.I see the 17’s on the machine has been cut to 14’s now if he does win well today he’ll go 5’s tonight.

[stevecaution]

I like a horse to have had a pipe-opener prior to a big engagement and

Uxizandre

runs today in a very respectable ‘Roan Chase’ at Aintree,trouble is he’s only a small horse and if he wins today his mark of 158 will see him in the 165 range for the Paddy Power and ultimately 11-10 beckons.That would put most off him for Cheltenham in a fortnight but I remember 2 other lightly made horses actually winning this prestigious race 2 years running both incidentally carrying top weight in ‘Half Free’ and ‘Bradbury Star’.Fingers crossed then.I see the 17’s on the machine has been cut to 14’s now if he does win well today he’ll go 5’s tonight.

Disappointing effort today by Uxizandre and he looked like he needed that run today. Micky Fitz thinks he ran well enough and is still a big player for the Paddy Power but he’s not for me after that effort.

Thanks for the good crack. Time for me to move on. Be lucky.

[The Ante-Post King]

I like a horse to have had a pipe-opener prior to a big engagement and

Uxizandre

runs today in a very respectable ‘Roan Chase’ at Aintree,trouble is he’s only a small horse and if he wins today his mark of 158 will see him in the 165 range for the Paddy Power and ultimately 11-10 beckons.That would put most off him for Cheltenham in a fortnight but I remember 2 other lightly made horses actually winning this prestigious race 2 years running both incidentally carrying top weight in ‘Half Free’ and ‘Bradbury Star’.Fingers crossed then.I see the 17’s on the machine has been cut to 14’s now if he does win well today he’ll go 5’s tonight.

Disappointing effort today by Uxizandre and he looked like he needed that run today. Micky Fitz thinks he ran well enough and is still a big player for the Paddy Power but he’s not for me after that effort.

What effort Steve?? Horse traded at evens in running for half a mile and yet the way he was ridden was the opposite to what we’ve seen up to date.His mark wont be affected after today,the Cheekpieces will be back on as will AP and he’ll make all at Cheltenham and win……

[stevecaution]

Training in public, surely never Gord

Not great news for his supporters today as a 2/1 warm favourite, if his real target was lying in the future.

You can get 16/1 on Uxizandre after today’s race, so it looks like the "coup" is yet to gather momentum.

Wishful Thinking looked good today and the jump he put in at the final fence was joyous to behold. I’ll bet my bottom dollar that the jockey wishes the horse could have saved that for a race where it might have been the difference between winning and losing, rather than in a race where he was well in command already.

Thanks for the good crack. Time for me to move on. Be lucky.

[Ortegaworm]

I like Pendra hit every fence in Present Views race and finished only 3 1/2 lengths back. Obviously needs to improve jumping though. Buywise is the other tender ride over hurdles over next few days to put him spot on for the big day.

[The Young Fella]

Uxizandre

is massively overrated. He got a brilliant ride in the JLT last year and nearly nicked it as Taquin Du Seuil was caught out of his ground and several big contenders fell.

He then beat the very awkward unconvincing chaser Oscar Whisky and the injured Western Warhorse in what turned out to be an absolute punt at Aintree.

I imagine some mug money will come for him if he runs, especially if McCoy can’t do the weight on

Pendra

. Alan King’s horses are absolutely flying right now, so you’d be surprised if this one improves much from his comeback at Aintree.

[The Young Fella]

The

Pendra/Present View/Buywise

form has taken a few big boosts in recent weeks.

Present View is the most slick and professional of the trio, but Pendra and Buywise have big potential to improve past him if they can sort their jumping out.

Astracad

probably doesn’t have the class for this, but did catch the eye on his comeback and is down to a good mark, so he might be my outsider if he makes the cut.

[stevecaution]

I wasn’t that taken by Uxizandre’s seasonal debut either but somebody must be backing him steadily because, after drifting to 16/1 in places he’s been nibbled in to a general 10/1 now.

Djakadam is only quoted by one firm now, so it looks like he’s not going to be there and he shares favouritism for The Hennessey and perhaps that is where he will head.

Pendra and Simonsig are two more only quoted by one firm so that would be a concern for me if I’d backed either of them earlier.

Thanks for the good crack. Time for me to move on. Be lucky.

[Ortegaworm]

Djakadam, Pendra and Simonsig not running according to Racing Post.

Buywise struggling to be fit but that could be trainer attempting to inflate the price.

[TomBarkley87]

Can’t believe

Pendra

hasn’t even been given an entry. Surely there’s more to that. Yet another hole in Boz’s already threadbare pockets

[Author]

Posts