FARINET and Rachael Blackmore are the combination to follow in the Racing Post Gold Cup Handicap Chase (1.50) at Cheltenham.
The six-year-old grey, once a winner from seven attempts over obstacles in France, made his debut for Venetia Williams in the second half of last season.
Farinet started off in a novices’ handicap chase at Haydock Park in February, returning an eight-length third to Galahad Quest.
My selection then built on that run with a sound-jumping six-and-a-half-length supremacy from Up The Straight in a similar event at Sandown Park three weeks later.
Drying ground ruled Farinet out of his planned sign-off at Sandown in April, and an intended return to action in the Paddy Power Gold Cup here four weeks ago, so rain in the run-up to today’s race would be a plus.
Williams’ booking of Blackmore is a vote of confidence in a horse who still has plenty more to give, and Farinet can progress past his British Horseracing Authority rating of 133 to land the £74,035 first prize.
SCEAU ROYAL can continue his resurgence over timber with a victory in the Grade 2 International Hurdle (3.00) at Cheltenham.
Although a six-time victor as a chaser, Alan King’s stable stalwart is back over hurdles this season, starting his campaign with a score from Silver Streak at Kempton Park in October.
The nine-year-old followed up by five and a half lengths from Teqany in Wincanton’s Grade 2 Elite Hurdle at the start of last month, before stepping up to the top level for the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle two weeks ago.
Sceau Royal couldn’t match the finishing kick of dead-heaters Epatante and Not So Sleepy that day, but wasn’t disgraced crossing the line a length and a half back in third and can return to winning ways here.
King’s WYNN HOUSE is also of interest in the Close Brothers Mares' Handicap Hurdle (3.35).
Presenting’s daughter made the perfect comeback with a three-quarter-length margin on Wincanton’s Elite Hurdle undercard and a 3lb rise in the handicap shouldn’t prevent another good account.
Irish raider BLAZING KHAL looks a worthy favourite for the Grade 2 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (2.25).
Charles Byrnes’ son of Kalanisi made a winning start to his hurdling career at Galway in October before doubling up at Cheltenham’s November fixture last time.
The way Blazing Khal motored up the hill to hold the reopposing Gelino Bello over two miles and fives suggests the additional three furlongs here will be right up his street, and there is plenty more to come.
At Doncaster, PORTICELLO is expected to defend his unbeaten record as he faces seven opponents for the Grade 2 bet365 Summit Juvenile Hurdle (2.40).
After a win at Auteuil in April, the three-year-old moved to Gary Moore before capturing Wetherby’s Listed Wensleydale Hurdle at the end of October - a three-and-three-quarter success that promised much for the future.
His record fresh points to a decent showing from top weight TWO FOR GOLD in the bet365 Handicap Chase (3.15), while TOMMY’S OSCAR is expected to cope with the step back to two miles for the bet365 Handicap Hurdle (2.05).
Saturday selections
CHELTENHAM
12.05 YORKSEA
12.40 MY DROGO
1.15 FRERO BANBOU
1.50 FARINET (NB)
2.25 BLAZING KHAL
3.00 SCEAU ROYAL (NAP)
3.35 WYNN HOUSE
DONCASTER
11.50 GREDIN
12.20 SAO
12.55 THREEUNDERTHRUFIVE
1.30 SHANTOU SUNSET
2.05 TOMMY’S OSCAR
2.40 PORTICELLO
3.15 TWO FOR GOLD
HEREFORD
12.12 VELASCO
12.47 STAG HORN
1.22 THE TOOJUMPA
1.57 SEDDON
2.32 SARASOTA STAR
3.07 VEE DANCER
3.42 FAR HORIZON
NEWCASTLE
1.45 MUKHA MAGIC
2.20 RAINBOW DREAMER
2.55 SIR CHAUVELIN
3.30 BEAUZON
4.00 EYDON
4.30 MILLIONAIRE WALTZ
5.00 BIRKENHEAD
5.30 TROIS VALLEES
WOLVERHAMPTON
4.15 LOCAL BOY
4.45 DIAMOND JILL
5.15 SOCIALLY SHADY
5.45 ROMAN DYNASTY
6.15 ACHNAMARA
6.45 BANKRUPT
7.15 MUSCIKA
7.45 EL HOMBRE
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