Timeform Weekend Preview: Cheltenham on centre stage

Weekend Preview / Timeform / 14 November 2008 / Leave a Comment

Get the info on all this weekend's big races courtesy of Timeform.

Saturday's focus is on the second day of the Open Meeting held at Cheltenham, the feature of which is The Paddy Power Gold Cup. Champion Trainer Paul Nicholls saddles ante-post favourite Silverburn in a bid to avenge last year's tragedy of Granit Jack, who was travelling strongly alongside the leader when falling fatally two out.

David Pipe, whose father Martin won the race eight times under its various guises, saddles ex-French recruit Piraya and Vodka Bleu, runner-up to Exotic Dancer in the race two years ago. Nicky Henderson's Barber's Shop, Nick Williams's Maljimar and Nigel Twiston-Davies's Imperial Commander are amongst the other market principals in the 20-runner field.

There is a strong supporting card built around the Paddy Power, with the first race at 12.50, a juvenile hurdle, containing representatives from many of the big stables. Alan King is attempting to complete the hat-trick having won the race the past two years with Champion Hurdler Katchit and Triumph Hurdle runner-up Franchoek. He saddles the highly-regarded Saticon, whilst Nicky Henderson fields the impressive Georgio Quercus six days on from his Hereford success. Paul Nicholls and Phillip Hobbs are also represented.

Grand National winner Comply or Die makes his seasonal reappearance in the 2.00 handicap chase, where he faces ten rivals including Alan King's former Welsh National winner Halcon Genelardais. Two competitive handicap hurdles and a novice chase complete the card.

In Ireland, Trafford Lad bids to make it two out of two in novice chases in the 1.50 at Punchestown, and faces Siegemaster and six other rivals whilst Central House carries top weight in a handicap chase thirty five minutes later.

The final day of the Paddy Power meeting at Cheltenham opens with the Independent Newspaper Novices' Chase, a race which has produced many high-profile winners over the years including Best Mate, Azertyuiop and Thisthatandtother. This year's renewal sees the Nicholls duo Poquelin and Tatenen clash with David Pipe's I'm So Lucky.

Later on the card, the Greatwood Hurdle sees Ashkazar attempting to justify favouritism and take a further step towards the Champion Hurdle. The Greatwood has developed into a Champion Hurdle trial over the past few years, with the last two race day favourites Detroit City and Sizing Europe both successful in the Greatwood before disappointing on the day itself.

It's not all about Cheltenham however, with Sizing Europe returning to action at Punchestown on Sunday in a fascinating renewal of the Grade 1 Maplewood Developments Hurdle, worth nearly £50,000. He faces four rivals, including Hardy Eustace, Harchibald, Won in the Dark and the emerging force Jered, who remains open to plenty of improvement and bids to register a hat-trick for Noel Meade in this race.

Over at Fontwell, David Pipe's Very Cool bids to take advantage of a favourable BHA chase mark in the Southern National, whilst Gary Moore will no doubt be keen to win the 2.40 handicap hurdle, a race named in honour of his stable stalwart Tikram.