Sport News 24/7Timeform Daily: The Cheltenham Gold Cup, Cheltenham 3.20
/ Timeform / 18 March 2010 / Leave a comment Free £25 Bet
A look ahead to the most eagerly-awaited Gold Cup in recent memory...
Calgary Bay is a real chasing type who didn't fulfil his initial promise as a novice but got right back on track upped to 3m at Doncaster in December, jumping well and scoring easily. He is much higher up the ladder here, though.
Carruthers is a genuine, bold-jumping front runner who produced a career best when the emphatic winner of a minor event at Newbury in December. He was only second to Taranis here next time and it is hard to see him dominating these.
Cerium used to be a smart chaser for Paul Nicholls but is not the force of old, despite an admirable fifth in Grand National last April. This his first start since.
Cooldine was the top staying novice in 2008/9, easily taking the RSA Chase at this meeting. He finished a good second to Joncol in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown last month after seeming amiss on his return, but this his stiffest test.
Denman won this in 2008 and produced a fine display to land a second Hennessy at Newbury in November. He fluffed his lines back there last month, but is an usually assured jumper and it would be foolish to write him off.
Imperial Commander is a high-class chaser, having landed the Ryanair Chase here last year, and gave Kauto Star an almighty fright in Haydock's Betfair Chase on his return. His King George flop is best ignored and the longer trip should be fine.
Kauto Star was the Gold Cup winner in 2007 and 2009 (second to Denman in between), and ran better than ever when landing the King George VI Chase for the fourth year in a row at Kempton in December. He sets a lofty standard.
Mon Mome's finest hour when running away with the Grand National last season, and has shaped as if retaining his ability this winter. A repeat bid at Aintree is his main target, and he is merely a bit part player in this.
Mr Pointment is a lightly-raced staying chaser who won the Becher Chase in 2007/8. He was sold out of Paul Nicholls' stable after a poor final run last season, and is impossible to make a case for on this, his first outing since.
My Will is a reliable sort who ran a blinder when third in the Grand National last April. He regressed from reappearance second this term, though, and will struggle to repeat last year's fifth in this race.
Tricky Trickster is a lightly-raced chaser who won the 4m National Hunt Chase here last year for Nigel Twiston-Davies. A narrow win in the Aon Chase recently confirms him still on the up, but this a different ball game.
Verdict
Dual Gold Cup winner Kauto Star is impossible to oppose following his devastating display to land a fourth King George. Old rival Denman should put a comedy of errors at Newbury last time behind him and follow his stablemate home. In betting without the big two, last year's RSA Chase winner Cooldine makes most appeal following a light campaign.
Free form for all today's racing is available at the Timeform website
