Coole Cody won the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham where Eldorado Allen put down a marker for the Sporting Life Arkle. Recap the action.
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1612: That was a thrilling finish to the racing from Cheltenham. I think it's fair to assume that conditions tomorrow will be very testing as the rain gets into ground that has had two days racing.
It should be another fascinating day though and there's, of course, some top quality action from Ireland too with the Morgiana Hurdle.
We'll be here to blog throughout the day again and I hope you'll be able to join us tomorrow.
I'll leave you with the photo from the last, I've no idea what took so long!
1603: Ishkara Lady's jockey has been interviewed by Matt Chapman and Sean Bowen says little in conditions that Chapman describes as 'horrific'.
Ishkara Lady made her debut in 2018 (she won) and it's been well worth persevering with her whether she's got this race or not.
I wonder how the people who backed her at 1.01 on the exchanges are feeling?
Rishi Persad was quite impressed with Jersey Lady and Martello Sky of those in behind. You'd hope that the form of this race will work out well.
The rain is 'blowing sideways' as the result is called a dead-heat.
They've just shown the judge's photo on Racing TV and it's hard to decipher anything.
1557: Ucanaver is making sure this is a proper test at Cheltenham, leading by about four lengths and there's further between the chasing Jersey Lady and the rest of the field.
They're unusually well strung out. Has Harry Cobden got the pace right? I'm making no predictions having got pretty much every in-running call wrong.
Paddy Brennan is in last again which leaves him about 16 lengths behind the leader who, I think, has enjoyed a breather coming down the hill as the field has closed right up.
Elle Est Belle travels well but Ucanaver backs out of it. Elle Est Belle hits the front but it's tight between her and Ishkara Lady.
It's very much on the nod with the latter in front just before the line but as the tape rolls on, it was much tighter. Ishkara Lady is 1.01 on the exchange to get the verdict.
1552: The finale today - although we will be back tomorrow - is the Karndean Designflooring Mares' Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race and isn't too far away.
Elle Est Belle is the jolly having hosed up at Aintree but there are plenty of possible dangers with Ucanaver the most obvious. Martello Sky is 'the gamble of the race' while Colours Of My Life is easy on the track but backed earlier.
There are joint-favourites now but I might be tempted to chance my arm with Lady Jane P whose trainer Fergal O'Brien has a good record in bumpers at the track.
They're at least halfway through the Uttoxeter bumper I was wittering away about earlier and the Honeyball horse is tailing off! David Pipe's runner is contesting the lead though and I think he has just been edged out by Solwara One (9/2).
1549: Good Effort (5/2f) makes every post a winning one in the Golden Rose Stakes.
Easy, easy, easy.
Lampang and On The Warpath fill the places.
The margin was dwindling in the final furlong but the result was never in doubt.
Ray Dawson's success has been one of the stories of the year and that's a double on the cards for the apprentice.
It was good news for someone playing the ITV7 as they're still in line to win £100k. It's not me.
1545: Paddy Brennan reveals that there wasn't a lot left in the tank of Stimulating Song and that if he'd got there any earlier, the result could have been different.
I didn't catch the name but he had a word with someone who he often discusses tactics with last night (as he felt he should have won a race yesterday) and that helped him win this contest. It was a very cool ride as he put all of his experience to good use.
Almost ready at Lingfield.
1536: Heading back to Lingfield for another Listed contest where the bang in-form Good Effort is a leading contender for jockey Ray Dawson who has enjoyed a fantastic season.
I rather breezed passed this race last night, preferring to concentrate on Cheltenham (for all the good that did me) but it's competitive and has some popular performers in the line-up; arguably none more so than Judicial.
Jovial has a good deal to find with the old boy but was impressive in a handicap at this track in the summer and I can see her going well. It looks as though Sunday Star is being reshod so there will be a delay.
1526: They're down at the start as De Boinville greets Luke Harvey with "You're billy no mates here." before turning tale on Son Of Camas. Not long to wait with the goggles coming down.
Topofthecotswolds jumps off in front and quickly opens up by three or four lengths from Captain Tom Cat who, in turn, is a couple of lengths clear of Keppage and Dagueneau. The pace looks steady enough and Nebuchadnezzar is under a tight hold in rear. They're closely grouped as they head out onto the final circuit.
There's been little change in the order although Whatsupwithyou has moved into second as they head down the hill. Dagueneau is momentarily outpaced, there's two to jump as Whatsupwithyou takes it up.
This gamble looks like it is going to be landed.
Over the last, four clear, Stimulating Song gives chase. It's not over. Whatsupwithyou wandered around markedly on the hill until reaching the rail but Stimulating Song stayed on strongly to pick him off.
It was a brilliantly patient ride and, it turns out, that money last night proved to be right, erm, on the money.
Galling for the runner-up, I wonder if Luca Morgan will say that he went too early. It's always easy in hindsight. The race looked over when he hit the front and he's seen the rest off comfortably.
1523: Jockeys are in the paddock for a race in which I can offer little in the way of an opinion. If you made me, I'd back Captain Tom Cat but that's as far as it goes.
I did take a look at the last at Uttoxeter though as that bumper features some likely looking sorts on paper despite the absence of All Shook Up. David Pipe won the race with Umbrigado a couple of years back and saddles Astigar (from the family of Ramses de Teillee) while Nicky Henderson has a runner but Anthony Honeyball is just as adept in this sphere and has a good course record; his Moondancer carries the colours of Ron Huggins.
You're probably more interested in that Ben Pauling is delighted with the way his horses are running and he's hoping for a big run from Whatsupwithyou.
1515: The Paddy Power First Millionaire Qualifier Intermediate Handicap Hurdle is where we had next and it's proved to be a lively betting heat.
Son Of Camas, Captain Tom Cat and Whatsupwithyou (another Value Bet selection) have all been well backed. Stimulating Song was nibbled at last night but is drifting today. Dagueneau and Topofthecotswolds are both showing blue on oddschecker but Kepagge is friendless.
Nico de Boinville reporting that Mister Fisher didn't have too hard a race in the Paddy Power Gold Cup and that it 'wasn't his ground at all'. He was already wearing his silks for Son of Camas but sadly he didn't let on if his mount was going to win this on the bridle. There was not a word at all.
1506: Nearly set for Lingfield where Dubai Warrior is 4/7 for the Churchill Stakes. He's got a good deal in hand on the figures as the betting suggests.
Rab Havlin pushed Dubai Warrior (4/9f) into the lead rounding the home turn and he asserted readily enough to record his third course success. Sinjari was second.
That was straightforward enough and presumably he'll follow a similar path to last year which took in the Qubec Stakes next month and the Winter Derby in February.
1504: Nico de Boinville: "I'm just very fortunate that I'm able to ride nice horses. He's got seriously good form over hurdles and chases. It's great to get his head in front like that."
De Boinville plays Matt Chapman with the straightest of bats when asked about Shishkin. Textbook defence.
1459: They have completed a circuit at Cheltenham and have five to jump.
Dandy Dan leads from On The Blind Side. The leader is wide on the track at the top of the hill with the field reasonably well grouped. Golan Fortune does seem to be travelling well but that could be said of a few.
Golan Fortune travels alongside On The Blind Side with Mrs Milner in third. Three in a line approaching the post.
On The Blind Side (7/1) denies Mrs Milner with Golan Fortune third.
1450: Weather Front shaped quite well behind Captain Tom Cat last time (Debestyman second) and may appreciate this step up to three miles but it's by no means a given which is enough to put me off.
There is a delay for this race as Tobefair needed to be reshod but the field are leaving the paddock.
Here's the interview with Sam Lee that just has to put a smile on your face.
1442: Just the two early absentees from the Paddy Power Games Handicap Hurdle which features some old favourites such as Tobefair and Golan Fortune.
It's Mrs Milner that heads the betting though for Irish handler Paul Nolan.
I'm rather hoping Value Bet can land a notable double with Good Man Pat but after the Paddy Power Gold Cup, I'll settle for him being in the same picture as the winner up the straight.
There are quite a few exposed runners in the field, including Golan Fortune whose jockey Sam Lee has just conducted a wonderful interview on ITV
"I dreamt about it (winning the race again) last night and I've thought about nothing else but him doing it. I need this lift, things aren't going my way at the moment. If I win my rent's paid for!
"I walked it (the course) earlier, I think it's getting a bit tacky. He's got a visor on today and that might make him a bit more lively and carry him into it a bit."
1435: Remarkably few runners got involved in that finish but we've seen a couple of unbelievable front-running performances today from Storm Control and Coole Cody. After the opening juvenile hurdle, I've been expecting the leaders to fall in a hole and come back to the field but it just hasn't happened.
We've still got three to come from Cheltenham as well as those two Listed races from Lingfield and I'm sure there'll be something I've missed from elsewhere too! I have just seen that Charlie Longsdon has completed a double at Uttoxeter with Just Your Type narrowly denying Indy Five.
1430: A delighted Evan Williams says: "Tom has ridden me loads of winners over the years and it's great that he's got a big one on the board."
1425: A big day for Tom O'Brien and Evan Williams and owner Wayne Clifford.
I never really picked up Mister Fisher but there were plenty of positives to take from the run of Saint Sonnet. It's a race, as ever, that will be well worth watching again.
Looking at the result, I see Simply The Betts kept on for sixth - I'm not quite sure how. He looked in all sorts of trouble on the far side.
1416: Off and racing for the Paddy Power Gold Cup.
Siruh Du Lac falls at the first leaving Simply The Betts in the lead. Coole Cody in a close second and then goes into the lead by two or three lengths.
Aso, Happy Diva, Saint Sonnet prominent.
Circuit to go and Coole Cody leads by about six.
Some of the principals are beginning to close up as they go over the water.
Saint Sonnet moves into second in company with Al Dancer. Simply The Betts is struggling.
Three to jump and the first three covered by two lengths, mistake by Saint Sonnet.
Spiritofthegames and Sky Pirate chasing Coole Cody. Sky Pirate mistake, Happy Diva falls. It's still Coole Cody.
COOLE CODY WINS (10/1).
Spiritofthegames, Al Dancer and Kauto Riko are the next three.
The winner was put up at 20/1 by Value Bet and tipped by Ben Linfoot in his feature.
That was a brave front-running performance. I thought he was beaten on about three different occasions in the last mile.
1409: Kauto Riko is already on his way down to the start as the other jockeys enter the paddock to news of a going change.
To be fair, they probably knew that already.
I think I'm right in saying that Nicky Henderson had expressed concern about the possibility of soft ground for Mister Fisher and testing conditions will certainly ask questions of Al Dancer's stamina. It may not trouble either of them but it's enough for me to look elsewhere at the prices.
As for Saint Sonnet, the ground shouldn't pose any problems but he's light on experience over British fences.
Not too long to wait to find out with only 90 seconds until the off.
1407: Duffle Coat is not the only runner today to have received a Triumph Hurdle quote with Druid's Alter given a quote of 33/1 by Betfair and Paddy Power.
Assistant trainer Brendan Powell said: “He’s jumped well at home and he stays. In an ideal world he could have got a lead longer, but JJ said he had to let him stride on. He had a good look at the last and I’m sure if something went with him in a better race he’d keep on.
“He’s not slow, he stays the trip well, but he’s got a good cruising speed. He’s a lovely big horse and hopefully he’ll have a future.”
1403: There's a move for the Jonjo O'Neill trained Sky Pirate who is ridden by Jonathan Burke.
*Quickly digs out his form* Well he was second to Storm Control two runs back and finished seventh in the Kim Muir but, erm, he hadn't been on my radar as you can tell.
I did consider The Russian Doyen and Domaine de l'Isle among the outsiders with the latter dismissed, in part, due to concerns about his jumping. Another outsider who has been backed is Coole Cody who has been put up by a couple of good judges on these pages I believe.
Fidux is a non-runner.
1358: Colin Tizzard on ITV Racing: Some of his old form was outstanding. I think he's the best two miler we've had. His jumping was very slick.
On Slate House: "This is not heavy winter ground yet I think. He goes well early doors. We'll find out shortly."
That's quite a shout on Eldorado Allen. Not that the name of any top two-milers trained by the stable immediately spring to mind but I'm sure there must have been some. He said the same thing on Racing TV.
1355: Up next is the 'big one' from Cheltenham and it promises to be every bit as exciting as the action we've had so far.
Mister Fisher and Saint Sonnet contest favouritism but money continues to come for Al Dancer, a horse that Nigel Twiston-Davies has never hidden his faith in and understandably so.
I'm reasonably happy to take all of them on and will be cheering Brelan d'As and Aso on.
1348: Winning jockey Robbie Power on ITV Racing: "I really fancied him coming into this today. I was just atarting to reel him in. It wasn't a done deal. I'd have had to work to get to him."
Gumball is being led back to the stables by his lass so that's excellent news.
That was a good performance from the winner even if Fusil Raffles failed to run his race. He made a couple of notable mistakes there. Quel Destin dropped away a little tamely and I didn't notice anything obviously amiss first time around.
The winner is getting quotes of 25/1 for the Sporting Life Arkle.
1341: Off and racing with Gumball in the lead.
He's not going a harum scarum gallop though and Zarkareva is in close attendance. All travel well as Gumball opens up a little with impressive fast jumps over five and six.
Fusil Raffles isn't very clever at the water and drops to last but he was fine over the ditch. The field have closed up again, this should be exciting - four to jump.
Fusil Raffles made another mistake at that one and has dropped away. Quel Destin is being ridden, can he respond?
Gumball gets the second last all wrong and falls when still in the lead. He certainly didn't appear to be stopping but his demise left Eldorado Allen (13/2) clear to come home in his own time.
Gumball is, apparently, up okay. He had jumped brilliantly at times but there was the classic miscommunication with the jockey I think. It looked as though Richard Johnson asked him for a big one and he put an extra stride in. Hopefully, he'll be back but there is a large group around him at the moment.
1338: Quel Destin is 4/1 second favourite ahead of his seasonal reappearance (he has had a run on the Flat) and chase debut. They're likely to go a good clip here as Gumball likes to get on with things and he won't be allowed any time to settle into the race.
He is, of course, trained by a brilliantly successful trainer but I wouldn't want to be with either of the first two in the betting for all their clear claims.
1334: Storm Control was a 75th winner for Richard Patrick who is clearly delighted at riding out his claim as he's interviewed on Racing TV. He felt the winner was 'always idling up a bit up the straight'.
He's hopeful there's more to come from Storm Control and reports Happy Diva to be 'fit and well and ready to go'.
1325: The sun has come out at Punchestown and it would be nice to think it might put in an appearance at Cheltenham over the course of the weekend.
Fusil Raffles is the 11/8 favourite. A dual winner over fences, he has to give weight to his rivals and the horse he beat last time, Sir Valentine, didn't do a great deal for the form earlier this afternoon at Wetherby. That is probably irrelevant but there are grounds for taking the favourite on with some equally promising rivals in opposition.
Henry de Bromhead sent out Arkle winner Put The Kettle On to win last year and saddles outsider Zarkareva but she is only four. More obvious threats are posed by Eldorado Allen and Gumball.
Something of a turn-up at Punchestown as the Joseph O'Brien trained Druid's Altar (7/1) takes the 3-y-o hurdle with the Mullins trained odds-on favourite disappointing.
1320: Mario De Pail (13/8f) narrowly denies Miah Grace at Wetherby to bring up an across the cards double for Sam Thomas which probably won't matter to most of you but it will keep me going.
1318: More from Robbie Power on Duffle Coat and welcome news from the yard of trainer Gordon Elliott.
"From the top of the hill I gave him a little squeeze and he picked up underneath me. I wasn’t overly concerned as I thought we had gone quick on genuine soft ground.
"His stamina is his forte. Gordon says he doesn’t show a lot at home and that he is all about stamina and those strongly-run races suit him. It is up to Gordon what he does between now and March, but he will have him good and fresh for then.”
1309: Storm Control and Arthur's Gift make the running from Kilfilum Cross and Equus Secretus at Cheltenham.
They're through nine fences and they're well strung out behind the leader (around 15 lengths cover the field as they past the post with a circuit to run) with What A Moment one of those in rear.
Realm Keeper has moved up into third to join the aforementioned quartet but Equus Secretus has just dropped out after a mistake at the water, he falls at the next.
Storm Control putting his rivals to the sword but they're a long way from home. Four from the finish. Lamanver Pippin latching onto the leaders.
Storm Control three clear over the third last where Realm Keeper made a race ending mistake. Lamanver Pippin gives chase.
Lamanver Pippin is on the leader's heels but Storm Control (5/1) had enough in the tank to win by about three parts of a length.
Bermeo stayed on from a long way back to take second (not that I managed to give him a mention), just edging out Lamanver Pippin. Remarkable performance from the winner.
1307: Some reaction from Jack Kennedy after Felix Desjy who was cut to 16-1 from 20-1 for the Sporting Life Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham with Paddy Power and Betfair.
"He’s gone very relaxed now which is great because if something comes to take him on he’s not tearing away with you, that’s a great help. He put in a great round of jumping and I was delighted with him. He’s deadly over a fence.
“I thought Sizing Pottsie might have got away from me a little bit, but my lad loves that ground and he stays galloping.”
1303: Runners heading out on to the course at Cheltenham and Rishi Persad believes that Kilfilum Cross looks much sharper than he did for his reappearance at Fakenham. Interestingly Lucy Wadham felt that the Norfolk venue was a good prep ground for Cheltenham which isn't something that would have immediately jumped to the fore of my mind.
What A Moment, a dual winner of this race, is proving popular with the Racing TV team. He's well handicapped on that old form.
They're circling and it won't be long.
1256: There's a Gigginstown winner called Tiger in the Alanna Homes Handicap Chase as Daly Tiger (22/1) lowers the colours of the favourite. The winner was trained by Noel Meade.
Robbie Power has spoken to Racing TV (quotes paraphrased but the gist is here) about Duffle Coat: "He doesn't show an awful lot of home but he keeps winning. We went a very strong gallop on soft ground and I felt we were going too quick, I couldn't keep up. He started picking up as well coming down the hill and he's come home strong."
Power in no doubt that his rivals were going far too quickly in the opener but I'm not sure that excused the run of Hell Red even if he was to the fore of those chasing leader Cabot Cliffs.
1250: The lightly raced Astro King (3/1) won at Lingfield for Sir Michael Stoute and Andrea Atzeni.
They're lining up at Punchestown where Tornado Flyer is the favourite for Sporting Life's newest columnist Willie Mullins.
Salsaretta, I think, departed at the first and hampered a couple of others.
At Cheltenham, Kilfilum Cross - who has run so well at the last two Festivals - is proving popular but I wondered whether Equus Secretus might be the one to side with. I found this race a bit of a head scratcher but I wasn't in a rush to back either Kilfilum or Lamanver Pippin - no doubt that pair will fight out the finish.
The juveniles in the first finished well strung out, it will be interesting to see how this older, experienced field cope.
1242: I was having a quick scout through Twitter to see if Duffle Coat was matched at outlandish prices in running but nothing yet. He is, though, a best of 16/1 for the JCB Triumph Hurdle in March (and as short as 7s).
There's a good handicap about to go at Lingfield and a remarkably competitive looking contest at Punchestown too.
1232: Off and racing with Hell Red settled in around fourth on the outside. Duffle Coat is held-up in last while Cabot Cliffs leads by about four or five lengths. They've gone past the Best Mate enclosure and have jumped the first on the far side where they've split into two groups on either side of the track.
Duffle Coat is four or five lengths adrift of the field and not looking happy but he is picking up for pressure. Hell Red is back to fourth as Adagio makes ground. A shock looming?
Duffle Coat is still making ground but Adagio has taken over from Cabot Cliffs but has Duffle Coat got him covered?
It's just as well I don't bet in running but it wasn't only me as Dave Nevison says he thought the winner was going to be pulled up!
Duffle Coat (2/1) wins by four or five lengths from Adagio with Balko Saint in third.
1225: The focus now will primarily be on Cheltenham but I'll try to keep one eye out on anything dramatic that happens elsewhere.
They're in the paddock for the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle and Hell Red has opened as the even money favourite with Duffle Coat 9/4 and Adagio 6/1.
I don't really expect the latter to win this but I was quite impressed with him at Warwick and expect he could make up into a useful juvenile. Fred Winter candidate?
1221: They've just passed the post in the Grade Two Mongey Communications Novice Chase at Punchestown where Sizing Pottsie briefly looked like springing a surprise.
Darver Star looked in trouble from a long way out but Felix Desjy (13/8) stuck to his task well under a well judged ride and ultimately won a shade cosily. He's still unbeaten over fences.
Back at Lingfield, Violet's Lads had to settle for third with Emerald Fox taking the honours.
1210: Jetaway Joey made a number of mistakes and fell at the second last and it was left to Fern Hill (4/1) to move past Poldark Cross aside after the last. A winner for Ben Case and Kielan Woods.
At Lingfield, there has been a 'significant punt' on Violet's Lads. She's the 5/2 favourite for Brett Johnson and Ray Dawson - who team up later on the card with Anisoptera - and, according to Jason Weaver, she posted an extremely eyecatching run last time.
Casavola is being led around without a jockey as the clock approaches 1214 but it does appear as though loading is underway.
1207: It looks fairly murky where they're racing for the first. Jetaway Joey is the odds-on favourite.
Not too long to wait for the opener from Cheltenham where Hell Red is out to 11/10 in the face of support for Duffle Coat (9/4).
Sporting Life readers may remember that Mark Howard nominated Hell Red as one of his five new recruits to follow, saying: " Paul Nicholls was busy during lockdown acquiring fresh talent from France and made a number of ‘signings’ in the juvenile hurdle department.
"The former champion trainer has taken charge of both the first and second from the Prix Rush Hurdle at Auteuil in March, namely Monmiral and HELL RED. Both look potentially high-class recruits and are worth adding to the tracker.
"The latter is a grey gelding by Martaline who was handled by Macaire and is a half-brother to a dual Grade 3 winner. Staying on strongly after the last at the Parisian venue, he is now owned by Martin Broughton and looks to have a bright future."
1201: Lucky One travelled well but raced too keenly and was no match for What About Time (10/1) who made a winning debut under Rules for William Kennedy and Charlie Longsdon who is enjoying a decent week with notable winners at Kempton and Cheltenham.
Here are the closing stages from Punchestown:
1158: A little more news from Cheltenham with a going update ahead of the opening race. The going description has been updated to: Chase Course: Good to Soft - Going Stick reading 6.3 and Hurdle Course: Good to Soft, Soft in places (from Good to Soft) - Going Stick reading 6.1
It was dry overnight. There was two millimetres of rain between 7.00am and 10.00am. Further rain is expected this afternoon (up to six millimetres).
And a line from Paddy Power's Paul Binfield who said: "We have seen lots of support for Al Dancer in the big one, but Mister Fisher is now clear 9/2 favourite.
"We had been unable to separate him and a couple of others at the front end, but the momentum behind the Marsh Novices’ Chase fourth that has been building all week has finally pushed him to the forefront."
1154: It hasn't been entirely smooth sailing for Jared Sullivan since he switched his horses from Willie Mullins to Paul Nicholls but the powerful owner will be hoping for better at Uttoxeter from Lucky One than he showed on debut for his new handler at Hereford. They're off and racing.
1145: Asterion Forlonge is a very short price but last season's beaten Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle favourite is going to be a fascinating recruit to chasing. He jumped out to his right a lot over hurdles and makes his chase debut on a right-handed track. The favourite jumps off in a share of the lead with Conflated.
That pair were still together at the third last but Conflated needed urging along from that point and the favourite was going well enough to get away with a mistake at the second last.
He did go notably right-handed at the last two. That doesn't bode well for a return to Cheltenham but it's early days. No doubt there'll be quotes for all three novice chases at The Festival because that's how it works.
1144: There was panic in the Sky Sports Racing studio as the link to the course commentary at Lingfield failed but whoever it was (Hayley Moore?) coped admirably until audio was restored in time for Mark Slater to call Mr Mac the winner for his third course success.
1131: The first race of the day may nearly be upon us but there's plenty of time to get your ITV7 selections in if that's your thing....
1126: Jumping all the way ahead to the last at Cheltenham, which is also the last race of the afternoon cards, and Ruby Walsh has a fancy.
A little surprisingly it's not been a great race for favourites (two of eight have won) and Alan King has lifted the prize with 16/1 and 14/1 chances. He's represented by Colours Of My Life who has attracted support and rated an honourable mention in today's Punting Pointers.
1122: It still feels pretty early but the first from Lingfield is under 20 minutes away and Punchestown isn't far behind with their first due off at 1145 - time to start finalising some of those multiples.
1118: There's some classy action at Lingfield Park but, unlike Value Bet, I couldn't find a bet in the two feature races. However, Oh This Is Us is an old favourite with a good track record and he goes particularly well for Tom Marquand (five wins, four seconds from 17 rides) who is back on board for the first time since November 2019.
At 8/1, I think he's an attractive each-way price (yes, I bet each-way a lot - always sitting on the fence!).
1110: Al Dancer is the one for money in the feature Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham.
Sky Bet and Paddy Power are paying SIX places on each-way bets in the race and Al Dancer is 6/1 from 9/1 as the money pours in on Nigel Twiston-Davies' charge.
There's a punt on Deputy Oscar at Uttoxeter which I'm quite interested in as trainer Stuart Edmunds is pretty keener. For more information on that mover and today's offers and extra place races, click on the image below.
1100: Scanning through the Uttoxeter card, I was intrigued to see Indy Five holding a prominent position in the market on debut for Tom Symonds.
Symonds had a double at Chepstow in the week with two horses having their first run for the yard and both attracted support. That pair and Indy Five used to be trained by David Dennis and, I believe, have moved with their former handler who is now part of the team in Hereford.
1052: Well-regarded horses don't always deliver though and that could have been said of Son Of Camas last season.
He's quite strong in the market for the Paddy Power First Millionaire Qualifier Intermediate Handicap Hurdle though and has been put up as a selection by Mick Fitzgerald on ITV this morning.
This is his first run back since having a wind operation and the Nicky Henderson team are ticking over quite nicely with two thirds and a (disappointing) fifth from their three runners at Cheltenham yesterday.
1048: I read an interesting stat last night - an oxymoron for some, I know - and that was that there had only been four horses who had made a winning debut over fences at Cheltenham since 2016.
If there have been four, then there's no reason why there shouldn't be five, six and seven etc but it would have to weigh on your mind if you're backing Quel Destin - second favourite for the From The Horse's Mouth Podcast Novices' Chase - to lower the colours of Fusil Raffles.
Some bubbles are going to be burst in that race with Colin Tizzard seemingly pretty keen on Eldorado Allen and Philip Hobbs describing Gumball as 'our best two-mile chaser by a long streak'.
1044: The other bet I was quite keen on was Good Man Pat in the following hurdle at 1450 so I was a little disappointed to see that he was a Value Bet selection!
There have been two significant runners taken out this morning so he's a good deal shorter now. Matt makes a far more learned case than I could ever do but in short, he caught my eye because he was always quite well tipped up and backed last season over fences but always seemed to make a mistake or two to end his chance. He's potentially well handicapped, has had a run over hurdles to get his eye back in and blow away the cobwebs and will enjoy three miles and soft ground.
All he has to do now is return to his best!
1037: Who do you fancy in the feature?
There's no shortage of advice on our pages (follow the tips link at the top) and it looks to be a hugely competitive renewal. It can be hard to find an edge in long established markets with the prices having a long time to settle down but there were two outsiders that appealed to me at around 20/1.
I didn't think the old boy Aso ran too badly at times last season and his mark - a dizzy 158 - has dropped to the same level as for his last handicap success which came on New Year's Day 2019. He won't mind the rain and nor will last year's runner-up Brelan d'As. He's only had one run since going down by a neck to Happy Diva and it's easy enough to forgive him that and to believe that this race has been a long-term target.
There are six places on offer with some firms and that pair appeal to me as each-way bets as they've plenty to commend them (relative to their prices) in my mind.
1020: Here's the bulletin that Simon Claisse issued about the Cheltenham going this morning: "It was dry overnight and the going on the Chase and Hurdle courses remains Good to Soft.
“However, the forecast is for rain throughout the day and we do expect ground conditions to change to Soft before racing starts at 12.30pm. You can catch up with all the latest information on the racing hub on our website.
“We are looking forward to what promises to be a cracking afternoon of racing with the feature race, the Paddy Power Gold Cup, due off at 2.15pm.”
The hurdle course has been realigned in the home straight away from the stands' side rail between the bend and the last hurdle to avoid an area of false ground.
Hurdle bends dolled out 9 yards (except the home turn at 2 yards), adding 44 yards per circuit to races over 2m and 3m, and 72 yards for races over 2½m. All chase bends dolled out 7 yards, adding 44 yards to each circuit for races over 2m and 3m and 66 yards for races over 2½m.
Distances altered as follows: Race 1 plus 72 yards; Race 2 plus 88 yards; Race 3 plus 44 yards; Race 4 plus 66 yards; Race 5 plus 88 yards; Race 6 plus 72 yards; Race 7 plus 44 yards.
The prospect of rain was worrying Nico de Boinville yesterday but that hasn't put punters off with Mister Fisher the clear favourite at a general 5/1.
1016: In time honoured fashion, I was quite keen on one at an 'away' meeting. Readers with a good memory may recall that I gave Mario De Pail a favourable shout a week or two back and he should have his conditions at Wetherby. However, I turned my nose up at 3/1 last night and crinkled it even further when I saw that he's currently around 2s.
1010: What are you most looking forward to today?
Is it the feature handicap, the start of the 10-to-follow or a cracking novice chase? There are a couple of belting chases in Ireland (beginners and novices) with Asterion Forlonge stepping out over the larger obstacles and Darver Star and Felix Desjy clashing.
They could be taking their first steps towards the newly names Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy.
1005: Good morning and welcome to the racing blog.
It's a bit bleak outside where I am but the action on the television should light up the day whether that be at Cheltenham, Punchestown, Lingfield or wherever.
There are already a couple of significant non-runners at Cheltenham with both Tea Clipper and Dell Arca out of the staying handicap hurdle.
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