Saturday Racing Tips: Timeform's three to back including a Skelton runner in the Paddy Power Gold Cup

13:10, Cheltenham - Charles Darnay can build on positive debut impression

3

Charles Darnay

• J: Harry Cobden
• T: James Owen
• F: 1

• SBK 6/4
• EXC 2.86

Charles Darnay had some near-useful form on the Flat at up to a mile and a half and he overcame inexperience to make a winning start in this sphere in a listed event at Wetherby a fortnight ago.

He took care of some established sorts on that occasion, which says plenty about the ability he possesses, overcoming some bad early jumps to the left in the early stages before he got his act together and made eyecatching headway from the third-last.

Charles Darnay sustained his effort from there to win with something up his sleeve and he looks another useful prospect for these connections, who won this race in 2023 and 2024 and also saddled the third 12 months ago.

14:20, Cheltenham - Blueking d'Oroux very interesting on debut for Dan Skelton

5

Blueking D'oroux (Fr)

• J: Harry Skelton
• T: Dan Skelton
• F: 341/21522-

• SBK 5/1
• EXC 6.8

Blueking d'Oroux was smart over hurdles, winning a couple of Grade 2s, and he progressed well over fences last season.

He was turned over at prohibitive odds on his return and debut last season, but built on that promise when opening his account in the Grade 2 Rising Stars Novices' Chase at Wincanton.

That remains his only win over fences, but he showed much improved form when beaten a neck on his handicap debut in this sphere at Kempton and ran to a similar level when runner-up to the very promising Koktail Divin in the Grade 1 Manifesto Novices' Chase at Aintree on his final start.

Several in the same ownership have made winning starts since switching to Dan Skelton and Blueking d'Oroux has likely been targeted at this prize. He's potentially well handicapped up 7lb from his last handicap start - he's 4lb clear on Timeform weight-adjusted ratings - and he makes plenty of appeal starting out for the leading yard in Britain.

14:35, Windsor - King Califet has more to offer as a chaser

1

King Califet (Ire)

• J: Ben Jones
• T: Emma Lavelle
• F: 134/841-

• SBK 13/8
• EXC 1.12

King Califet was a winner on debut over hurdles, but he quickly developed into a better chaser in three starts over fences last season, leaving his debut form in this sphere behind considerably following a breathing operation.

He hit the frame in a useful novice handicap on his second start and was well suited by the step up in trip when opening his account over this trip at Newbury on his final start in March.

King Califet again looked an assured jumper of his fences, and was always prominent, produced to lead at the last and finding plenty for pressure. That race has worked out well, with several next-time-out winners coming out of it, and this looks a very good opportunity for him on his return in a less-competitive handicap than he won when last seen.

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