December has usually been kind to Paul Nicholls, giving him nine Tingle Creeks and seven King George VI Chases, and he is well-placed to take what is now called the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup for the fourth time in six runnings. His Caid Du Berlais (2.00) won the more competitive Paddy Power Gold Cup at this track last month and the handicapper has given this five-year-old an excellent chance of following up with only 5lb extra to carry.
“He’s come out of the race well and, if he runs like he did last time, he’ll be right in the mix,” Nicholls said on Friday. The trainer feels Caid Du Berlais will be better suited by Cheltenham’s New Course, which provides more of a test of stamina than the Old Course that was in use last month.
The horse barely had time to force his head in front of Johns Spirit that day, finishing best of all. He had also run well on his previous visits to this course, when placed in handicap hurdles at the last two Festivals, and it is never a bad idea to side with a specialist at Cheltenham.
Barrakilla has a very progressive profile and is feared, although his odds are as short as they should be. No Buts won impressively at Newbury last time and David Bridgwater may be able to get more improvement out of him.
2.15 Doncaster
Nicky Henderson’s lack of recent success in steeplechases may have given the impression he is having a quiet season but his hurdlers are scoring as often as ever and are maintaining a 38% strike-rate this month. His well-bred Peace And Co made an impressive debut in France this summer and gets a winnable introduction here.
2.35 Cheltenham
Twice third over a shorter trip here, Port Melon is of interest, now that he steps up to three miles with cheekpieces applied. He would need to improve on his reappearance showing but many of his stablemates from Nicholls’ yard have been doing just that.
2.50 Doncaster
Though he has an entry at Cheltenham, Virak will race here as long as the meeting goes ahead. He has been proficient and progressive over fences so far and is preferred to Kaysersberg, whose stable is in danger of going off the boil.
3.10 Cheltenham
There are no obvious flaws in The New One but it looks quite a big ask to give 8lb to Henderson’s Vaniteux, who may not be far short of top-class himself. He was third in the Supreme Novice Hurdle, a race that became a target for him only in the previous fortnight, and was second under top weight in a quality handicap hurdle here last month.
3.45 Cheltenham
Rock On Ruby is the big name here but it is 22 months since he won over hurdles and the nine-year-old may be vulnerable to Lac Fontana, a handicap winner at the last Festival.
