11.15am Williams hopes Buywise can take Paddy Power cash
Tony Paley: Evan Williams is hoping Buywise will be fit enough to give a good account of himself in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday.
The Welsh trainer was pleased with Buywise’s hurdles win at Ludlow last month in his first race since scoring over fences at Cheltenham in April.
“He’s done plenty of bits [of work] since then I’m not going to panic too much,” Williams told At The Races. “I’m delighted with him in all ways. It’s just that he’s just done too well [over the summer]. The whole point of going to Ludlow was to get a run into him.
“I’ve got no worries apart from the fact that it would be nice if he was a bit lighter. He works very well and he schools very well. I wouldn’t describe him as quirky, just that he’s a bad jumper at times.
“I’ve got no concerns about the ground, the trip or the track. I’ve no concerns about anything apart from the opposition really. It’s a very good race.”
The seven-year-old is 8-1 second favourite for the valuable handicap chase over an extended two and a half miles.
Tuesday’s best bets, by Chris Cook
The words ‘cold list’ are on their way to attaining magical status in this space. I used them a couple of weeks ago in relation to Colin Tizzard, who had his first winner for six months about 10 minutes later.
Yesterday, I repeated the phrase in reference to Jonjo O’Neill, who had had 45 losers on the spin over more than a fortnight but ended the day with a double at Carlisle. Stats, eh?
The highlight of Jonjo’s day was Shutthefrontdoor hosing up in the graduation chase. Yes, he was entitled to win well at the weights, if fit, but he was so impressive that I think the handicapper will be raising him again.
Considering he was already 8lb higher than the last Grand National winner, this is not terribly good news for Shutthefrontdoor’s handicap prospects. I had those in mind when I concluded before the race that he might be given a gentle reintroduction.
Instead, it looks rather as those his connections are not too worried about keeping the handicap mark down. Shutthefrontdoor is still available at 33-1 for the Gold Cup in March but I feel that price is going to get shorter.
If only Donald McCain were on the cold list. He’s not but somehow I still fancy his Greensalt (1.50) at 4-1 for the novice handicap chase at Sedgefield. This one has had a bit of a reputation but has yet to justify it by actually winning anything.
Still, he nearly always runs well and has had the look of a future chase who has been growing into himself. Having been dropped 5lb by the handicapper in the off-season, he could be on a very reasonable mark as he tries handicapping for the first time on his chasing debut.
In similar vein, I’m interested in Brantingham Breeze (1.10) at Huntingdon, despite her maiden status. A daughter of Absalom’s Lady and therefore a half-sister to the useful chaser Bob Bob Bobbin, she showed some ability over hurdles and any improvement on her fencing debut will give her a real chance in a weak contest. She’s 7-2.
Tipping competition, day two
Our winners so far:
Monday
Shutthefrontdoor 2-1
Shouldavboughtgold 11-4
Nigel’s Destiny 7-4
And our leader is:
SilentCartography +6.50
... after a perfect start yesterday. Kingklynch (+3.75) sits second after finding the first two winners.
Today, we’d like your tips, please, for these races: 2.20 Sedgefield, 2.40 Huntingdon, 2.50 Sedgefield.
This week, we’re offering a second chance to win a copy of Cheltenham Et Al, The Best Of Alistair Down, a newly published collection of the best columns by the Racing Post man who sadly no longer adorns our screens on Channel 4. The book is “by turns moving, uplifting and laugh-out-loud funny,” says the blurb. If you don’t win, you can buy a copy here.
As ever, our champion will be the tipster who returns the best profit to notional level stakes of £1 at starting price on our nominated races, of which there will be three each day up until Friday. Non-runners count as losers. If you have not joined in so far this week, you are welcome to do so today, but you will start on -3.
In the event of a tie at the end of the week, the winner will be the tipster who, from among those tied on the highest score, posted their tips earliest on the final day.
For terms and conditions click here.
Good luck!
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And post your tips or racing-related comments below.
