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2.40 Sandown
FINIANS RAINBOW 5/1 WILLIAMHILL
Has won two hurdle races, a NH flat race and seven chases from 2m to 2m 4f on ground varying from good to soft. Well beaten at 16-1 behind Sprinter Sacre when fourth of 6 on his latest outing in a Grade 1 chase in the Group 1 John Smith's Melling Chase at Aintree over 2m 4f (good).
PUNCHESTOWN DOUBLE
4.25 TARLA 8/11 PADDYPOWER
Has won seven hurdle races and a chase from 1m 7f to 2m 4f on ground varying from good to heavy. A winner at 13-8 in a hurdle race at Cork over 2m 4f (heavy) on her latest outing last month, beating Rebel Fitz by 5l.
5.0 DIAKALI 1/1 TOTESPORT
Successful in two hurdle races at 2m on heavy ground. Well beaten at 10-1 behind Our Conor when fourth of 17 on his latest outing in a Grade 1 hurdle race in the Group 1 JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham over 2m 1f (good to soft) last month.
2.10 Leicester
INTRIGO 9/2 BET365
Successful twice at 7f on soft ground and on the all-weather. Beaten 2 3/4l by Bright Strike when second of 9 at 7-2 on his latest outing at Kempton over 7f earlier this month.
4.30 Leicester
TAFAWUK 6/1 BET365
Placed once in four starts. Third of 8 behind Curly Come Home beaten 2 1/2l at 5-2jt-fav on his latest outing at Yarmouth over 1m 3f (good to firm) in June last year.
3.40 Market Rasen
BE MY DEPUTY (nap) 4/6 BETVICTOR
He has won four chases from 2m 3f to 2m 4f on ground varying from good to soft. Won on his latest outing in a chase when 7-2jt-fav over this course and distance (good) earlier this month, beating French Ties by 1/2l. Has won three times this season.
OUTSIDER OF THE DAY
2.20 Ripon
GINGER JACK 14/1 TOTESPORT
Winner of six races from 7f to 1m on good to firm and soft ground and on the all-weather. A winner at 10-1 at Redcar over 1m (soft) on his latest outing in October last year, beating Dolphin Rock by 1 1/2l.
Milesey (Betfair)
GambleAware
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PUNCHESTOWN DOUBLE
4:25 TARLA 8/11 PADDYPOWER
5:00 DIAKALI 1/1 TOTESPORT
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2:40 SANDOWN
FINIANS RAINBOW 5/1 WILLIAMHILL
2:10 LEICESTER
INTRIGO 9/2 BET365
4:30 LEICESTER
TAFAWUK 6/1 BET365
3:40 MARKET RASEN
BE MY DEPUTY ( NAP ) 4/6 BETVICTOR
OUTSIDER
2:20 RIPON
GINGER JACK 14/1 TOTESPORT
Milesey
RACE IN FOCUS
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The Bet365 Gold Cup
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Michel le Bon has been lightly raced for one his age but looked as good as ever when winning veterans’ chase in first-time blinkers at Newbury 8 weeks ago. Unpredictable, however, and 9 lb rise looks a bit harsh.
Hadrian’s Approach is a smart novice chaser who has ran well in defeat since winning on chase debut, placed in the Feltham at Kempton and RSA at Cheltenham last 2 starts. Jumping will be tested around here, though.
Balthazar King is a front runner who has done well over the Cross Country fences in recent times. Drying ground in his favour and ran well for long way in Grand National. Claims if this doesn’t come too soon.
Hold on Julio had a good season over fences last term, winning twice around here. Has basically underachieved this campaign, however, his jumping and attitude both looking concerns last time.
Same Difference is a novice who has taken well to fences this term, showing himself well served by the demands of a big-field handicap when landing Kim Muir at the Festival (visored) last time. Will stay.
Well Refreshed has been a revelation in first season over fences, landing all 4 of his completed starts in the mud, including Grade 3 handicap at Haydock latest. Drying ground a bit of a concern but still much respected.
Duke of Lucca won 3 times over fences last season. Even better when placed in good handicaps this term. Disappointed at Aintree last time, however, and others look better handicapped.
Galaxy Rock’s last win came at Cheltenham in November 2011, and good second to Balthazar King in October. Failed to complete last twice and hard to predict.
Muirhead is a hold-up performer who had to work hard to land the odds in minor chase at Galway in September. Better form in defeat since, respectable sixth in Irish National last time.
On Trend has improved since stamina has been drawn out in handicaps, scoring here (3m) in February. Let down by jumping in Kim Muir recently, though, and needs to find more to defy current mark.
The Rainbow Hunter was successful in 3m handicap chases at Southwell and Ascot earlier this season but never been the most fluent of jumpers and stamina to prove. Unseated on first circuit in Grand National last time.
Mr Moss took another step forward when registering his second chase win at Stratford (23f) 11 months ago. Ran well when second at Doncaster last time and arrives fresher than most. Can make mistakes.
Saint Are has a good record at Aintree but found the Kim Muir and Grand National too competitive on last 2 starts, and similar scenario awaits.
Dover’s Hill made all in 3m handicap here before going well for a long way in this event on soft ground last year. Not seen since but drying ground in his favour.
Becauseicouldn’tsee is a thorough stayer, but has just 2010 maiden chase win to his name and often fails to complete nowadays. Others preferred.
Tatenen’s last 2 wins have come over 21f at Ascot. Has had a low-key campaign and fallen in the weights but stamina a big concern and took a heavy fall in the Grand National last time.
Ikorodu Road has been as good as ever this term, often running well in defeat, but run of form cam to an end last time and likely to find a few too good again.
Quentin Collonges has often been let down by jumping but back to his very best in first-time tongue tie when making all to beat Mr Moss at Doncaster 8 weeks ago. More required from 8 lb higher but needs considering.
Away We Go was better than ever when winning handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse in February before excellent ½-length second in Irish National on first start over fences for this yard. Makes plenty of appeal.
There’s No Panic won a brace of 6-runner novice chases in October and placed in couple of handicaps here earlier this year. Latest run can be forgiven and likely to stay this far, so holds each-way claims. Tongue tied.
1. Away We Go
2. Well Refreshed
3. Quentin Collonges
VERDICT: A typically competitive renewal of the final big National Hunt race of the season. Well Refreshed has proved a revelation this term and looks likely to run a huge race, but preference is for Irish raider Away We Go, who went close in the Irish National last time and is proven on this type of ground. Quentin Collonges and There’s No Panic are others to consider.
Milesey
( Betfair )
An outsider may be worth supporting at potentially massive odds in the 14:05 is Topolski at 14.5. Trainer David Arbuthnot endured a pretty dreadful 2012 and after a sole jumps winner in February of that year, did not have another until January this year.
With five winners from his last 21 runners, though, his spell in the doldrums seem to be well and truly over and it’s not surprising that he has some well-handicapped sorts on his hands now. One of those, Starluck, took advantage of his declining mark when winning at Cheltenham last week and perhaps Topolski can do the same here.
He earned a rating of 150 after winning a Grade 2 novice hurdle at Aintree in 2011, and he still had the ability to run second in another Grade 2 at Fontwell last year. This season has been a shocker so far, but he ran well on the Flat at Kempton in February and an admittedly below-par effort on the Flat recently could have put him spot on for today. You are obviously taking a chance on his well-being, but a mark of 130 is seriously tempting and Tom Cannon, who is 2-3 for Arbuthnot this month, has got the call again.
Back Topolski in the 14:05 at Sandown
Milesey
Back Topolski in the 14:05 at Sandown
TOPOLSKI 50/1 BET365
Milesey
OUTSIDER OF THE DAY
2.20 Ripon
GINGER JACK 14/1 Totesport
Took the 14’s on this one last night, and now it’s into 10’s this morning, and has a great chance in this race.
Milesey
SANDOWN PLACEPOT
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13:30 – It is quite possible that Mcvicar, sporting first-time cheekpieces, will improve enough to take a hand in the finish but the pair that we are most interested in with regards ti the Placepot are Ptit Zig and Calculated Risk. The first mentioned made a winning start for this yard at Ludlow in February and stepped up on that when finishing third in the Fred Winter last time; a 4 lb rise incurred for that performance seems fairly lenient. Calculated Risk appears to be thriving at present, improving on each of his last two starts, and he actually had a number of today’s opponents behind him when winning at Ascot last time; it is difficult to suggest that he won’t confirm the form here.
14:05 – There are 18 runners in the second leg but plenty of them arrive here on the back of poor efforts, something that cannot be said of Minella Forfitness. The six-year-old has improved with each outing but took a marked step forward when scoring at Aintee last time, hitting the front on the bridle before quickening clear, and a 9 lb rise seems unlikely to stop him going very close this afternoon.
14:40 – Sanctuaire, Finian’s Rainbow and Wishfull Thinking would be the picks on form in the Celebration Chase but none of them appeal as Placepot horses as they are prone to throwing in a stinker. The two more solid options are French Opera and Oisea De Nuit, who are both likely to run their race, with conditions seemingly in their favour, for all that they may lack a touch of class that their rivals can boast.
15:15 – Eagles Peak is exactly the sort that Sir Michael Stoute excels with but he doesn’t strike as one to rely upon, given the amount of time he has spent off the track, whilst Al Kazeem makes his first start after suffering a pelvic injury so the two we want on side are Ektihaam and Thomas Chippendale. It is hoped that a gelding operation will work the oracle for Ektihaam, who clearly has bundles of ability, and the drop in trip ought to suit Thomas Chippendale, having failed to stay in the St Leger when last seen.
15:50 – This is a typically competitive renewal of the bet365 Gold Cup but the Willie Mullins-trained Away We Go is a fairly obvious selection, as he contests this race off the same mark as when finishing second in the Irish Grand National on his first start over fences for this yard. It’s also worth sticking in Mr Moss, who is prone to a mistake but comes here fresher than most of his rivals and could pick up the pieces late on were the leaders to go too fast.
16:25 – Dashing Star and Nichols Canyon are the two selected to get us across the line, with both holding a decent chance of taking the win on their respective handicap debuts. Swing Easy could well have more to offer but his best efforts have come on polytrack and we are quite content to take him on with a couple of progressive types.
Selections:
13:30 – 1, 3
14:05 – 2
14:40 – 3, 4
15:15 – 5, 7
15:50 – 12, 19
16:25 – 2, 5
= 32 lines
GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE TODAY……………. Milesey
i have strong tip leicester bridge that gap maybe each way but its bound to *wim*
i mean win
Think it has good ew chance gunner got it in my placepot good luck with that.
yes good luck john
Cheers Gunner on the Bridge The Gap Tip – Placed thanks a lot :-)
Cheers Milesey on Intrigo and Tafawuk :-) keep them coming
yes got 3rd at end scouseorca ran a good race