BetVictor Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:45 | Winning time: 4m 50.0s

Paint The Dream^t⁴⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: C Brace| T: F O'Brien| OR: 158| CD

9/2

Took this contest 12 months ago and arrives in very good nick this time around, bagging another C&D success before third to Pic d'Orhy in Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton (20.5f) 49 days ago. Holds major claims.

Form: 14-3413

Zanza^b²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 158| C

8/1

Unreliable type but he enhanced his excellent record here with success in 7-runner Betfair Denman Chase (23.4f) 21 days ago by 7 lengths from Hitman. Capable of having a big say if on his A-game again.

Form: P-62171

Sebastopol^t,v⁹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 147| CD

13/2

Smart chaser who proved better than ever when seeing off Stage Star in a Grade 2 novice over C&D in November. Off since but he's still not ruled out back in handicap company.

Form: 3412P1

Espoir De Guye^t¹⁰⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 144| DWS

9/1

Very useful chaser at his best but he turned in a lack-lustre display on his final run for Venetia Williams when only eighth in 21f Ascot handicap in November. Returns after breathing surgery now and has gone very well fresh too so he can't be ruled out for his new yard.

Form: 42/16P-8

The Big Bite^p1⁶⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 10-5| J: J J Burke| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 135

12/1

Useful sort on his day but he's yet to hit top form in his two runs this term, only eighth of 12 in 2m3f handicap at Chepstow 67 days ago. Weighted to go well after his break if first-time cheekpieces spark a resurgence.

Form: UP24-P8

Gemirande²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 132| D

3/1

Ex-French recruit who is on the up for his current yard, making all in 2m4f handicaps at Southwell and Wetherby this winter. Has a career-high mark to overcome now but still can't be discounted.

Form: 32-2121

Lord Baddesley¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 131| C| D

5/2

Useful scorer over hurdles who has steadily got the hang of things in this sphere, jumping well under a change of tactics when all-the-way winner of 2m4f Plumpton handicap 19 days ago. 7 lb higher here (including being 1 lb out of the handicap) but still not taken lightly.

Form: F-21441

Forecasts

Lord Baddesley (5/2), Gemirande (3/1), Paint The Dream (9/2), Sebastopol (13/2), Zanza (8/1), Espoir De Guye (9/1), The Big Bite (12/1)

A case can be made for all of these but PAINT THE DREAM goes really well round here so is taken to repeat his success in this event 12 months ago having lost nothing in defeat when trying to keep tabs on Pic d'Orhy in a Kempton Grade 2 last time. Recent-scorers Gemirande (second choice) and Lord Baddesley both have the potential for further improvement and command plenty of respect but might end up taking each other on, while Espoir de Guye can't be dismissed for his new yard after a wind op.