Daryl Jacob offers his insight on the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday, while we have the Timeform predicted pace map and free video replays too.
THE CHANGING MAN can cap an excellent November for the Joe Tizzard yard by bagging this valuable prize. This 8-y-o has several good runner-up efforts in top handicaps and won't need to pull out much more for first-time cheekpieces. Resplendent Grey, Myretown, The Doyen Chief and Panic Attack head the many dangers in a typically strong renewal.
Daryl Jacob Insight
It looks the best renewal of the Coral Gold Cup in years on Saturday and there are a few things to bear in mind.
Firstly, I think the track will ride Good to Soft no worse even with this rain coming in and secondly, I think they will go a good even gallop without it being overly strong.
I don't think they will be strung out like the washing. A lot of horses could be in their comfort zone the whole way and I think two out there will be five or six still in contention.
Three or four of those will continue the good even gallop to the line and there are a handful of likely types to pick from.
Number one for me is Joe Tizzard's THE CHANGING MAN in first-time cheekpieces.
I was impressed with his run at Ascot the last day and he's got a 12lb pull with favourite Myretown on their Cheltenham form, while I'm just a bit concerned Lucinda Russell's horse might lug left.
It wouldn't surprise me to see The Changing Man reverse that form off these terms. This race suits second-season novices, he has some super form from last season, Joe Tizzard is in great form and the cheekpieces might just see him home in front.
Brendan Powell, who is riding so well, can sit in a nice position in seventh or eighth before making his challenge on the second circuit.
For each-way bets The Doyen Chief makes plenty of appeal. If the ground doesn't turn too soft he can improve from Bangor, where he looked like he needed it, and run a big race under Tom Bellamy.
As for the Double Green horses, Blizzard Of Oz is our number one. Intense Raffles needs much more rain than is forecast but Blizzard Of Oz could be well-handicapped off 153 as I firmly believe he could be a Grade 1 horse.
The only thing that puts me off is the nature of this race. He has to get his jumping spot on over the first four or five fences. He can race behind the bridle anyway and if he misses the early fences he could be on the backfoot. If he negotiates them well, he can run a big race.
But for me The Changing Man can land the Coral Gold Cup, with The Doyen Chief an each-way alternative.
Timeform Pace Prediction
Pace Forecast: Strong
Specific Pace Hint: The suspicion the pace will be very strongly contested seems likely to reduce the chances of MONTY'S STAR significantly in favour of VICTTORINO.
Individual Price Hint: VICTTORINO was beaten last time out when trading at 50% or less of his starting Betfair SP.
Free Video Replays
MYRETOWN - Cheltenham 11/03/2025
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RESPLENDENT GREY - Carlisle 02/11/2025
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Discover Sporting Life Plus BenefitsTHE CHANGING MAN - Ascot 01/11/2025
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