Today's TV races
Scottish National victor Iris De Balme can double up in the Cup
The Bet365 Gold Cup, still widely known by its old name, the Whitbread, has been knocking around for more than half a century but it was only last year that it was won for the first time by a horse, Hot Weld, who had also won that season's Scottish National. That may have been the start of a trend, because Iris De Balme has a big chance of pulling off that feat today.
That statement could not have been made at this time last week. Iris De Balme (3.20) was on offer at 125-1 on the morning of last Saturday's race at Ayr, which was not very surprising, as he was set to run from almost two stones out of the handicap, having recently notched his first victory from 32 starts. Some bright sparks backed him down to 66-1, though, and they would hardly have had a moment's concern, as the eight-year-old travelled like a favourite throughout. The acceleration he showed to go clear from the second-last fence was almost without precedent in a staying handicap chase.
In hindsight, Iris De Balme could have been described as unexposed, since he only joined trainer Sean Curran from France 18 months ago and has had just eight races in Britain. In any event, backers have no excuse for not being alive to his chances today, despite the fact that he is again miles out of the weights, which were set weeks ago. Hot Weld was similarly disadvantaged, while two other recent winners of this race were also out of the handicap, albeit by only 5lb.
Royal County Star may have run into a very decent rival when turned over by Hear The Echo in the Irish National. He remains well treated but he did not appear to see out this 3m 5f trip at Fairyhouse and any stamina deficiency will surely be exposed here.
The same question mark hangs over Bewleys Berry, who finished very tired in the Grand National, so the principal danger may be Knowhere. On the go since October, the 10-year-old has, in common with most of his stablemates, held his form admirably ever since. He was still in touch when unseating on the National's second-circuit - Puntal won this race in 2004 after a similar performance at Aintree.
Sandown 2.10 Paul Nicholls can round off a record-breaking season by winning this for the second year in succession. His Earth Planet, a future chaser, took time to get the hang of hurdling but he now appears to be progressing very fast.
Ripon 2.30 Van Bossed's impressive success over this course and distance recently was an early sign that Dandy Nicholls' runners are hitting form and he is hard to oppose, despite a 9lb rise.
Sandown 2.40 Another robust sort from the Twiston-Davies yard, Mahogany Blaze showed no signs of fatigue when scoring at Cheltenham last week on his eighth start since October. It helps that he can now settle behind the pace, as Fiepes Shuffle is likely to set a strong tempo and anyone who battles for the early lead with him will finish in arrears, if at all.
Ripon 3.40 Highland Legacy improved rapidly as he was stepped up in distance last year and the colt would only need to be fairly straight on his reappearance to impose himself here. Bogside Theatre has the benefit of a reappearance run and should go well but is already beginning to look exposed.
Sandown 3.55 Rob Roy bids to give Sir Michael Stoute a third straight win in this race but he has proved as frustrating in America over the last 18 months as he was during his first stint in Newmarket and Medicine Path is preferred. He hinted at top-class ability in his juvenile days and is now fulfilling that early promise.
Horse sense
Caribou is the each-way steal in Sandown feature
At the age of six, the enormous Caribou (3.20) still looks as though he is learning to co-ordinate his limbs but he put it all together, under strong driving, to win at Newbury last month and makes each-way appeal for today's Bet365 Gold Cup. Oliver Sherwood's charge runs from 8lb out of the handicap but would otherwise be on the same mark as for that latest win and should still be ahead of the handicapper, particularly as we hear he has continued to exhibit rude health at his in-from yard.
Best bet among the Flat races on the card may be Centennial (4.30) in the Classic Trial. Brushed aside by subsequent Group One winner Thewayyouare at Saint-Cloud in October, John Gosden's charge has wintered well and is confidently expected to justify his current status as third-favourite for the Derby. The chief danger could prove to be Whistledownwind, who we gather is ready to do himself justice.
Having unexpectedly beaten stablemate Don't Panic at Doncaster last time, Chapple-Hyam's Medicine Path (3.55) is expected to take the step up to Group Two level in his stride, though Rob Roy is also capable of a big run, having returned to Sir Michael Stoute from Neil Drysdale in America.
Chapple-Hyam may also be on the mark at Leicester, where his Al Qasi (3.50) should be straight enough on his reappearance to take the Listed race. Later on the card, Stoute fields Tartan Bearer (5.00), who has apparently had 'a bit of a leg' but is completely recovered and ready to start justifying the big reputation that has made this maiden a general 16-1 shot for the Derby.
Waffle (2.15) is said to be a good thing for Leicester's opening maiden, while Tourism (3.15) should get the better of Animator in the staying handicap, according to our information.
Michael Bell is teeing up Highland Legacy (3.40) for next month's Chester Cup but today's trip to Ripon is no mere warm-up and the four-year-old is thought likely to go close at least. Woteva (4.50) should be able to get off the mark while Barry Hills's best chance of a winner this afternoon is Jabal Tariq (5.20). Those still in need of a winner tonight could do a lot worse than side with Michael Jarvis's Meshtri (8.20) in Haydock's closing race.
Seen and heard
Jockeys' agent Sam Stronge has refused to deny a rumour that Paul O'Neill has decided to call it a day. The winners have dried up for O'Neill, who secured his 15 minutes of global fame by headbutting a horse that had thrown him en route to the start at Stratford two years ago. O'Neill has spent much of this jumps season racking up whip bans and has had to watch rising star Aidan Coleman enjoy recent success on rides that were once his.
Victor Dartnall, who had big-race winner Lodge Lane on Thursday, was none too chuffed this week to see himself listed among the 'foreign travellers' in Perth's racecard, along with the Irish trainers. Dartnall's base is a long way from the Scottish track but Devon surely still counts as part of Britain.
In a somewhat better mood was fellow trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies. Buoyed by a brilliant 1,384-1 four-timer at Perth on Wednesday, the trainer was being interviewed over the public address system about the likely sale of one of his winners when he grabbed the microphone and reeled off a passable impression of an auctioneer - a far cry from his reticence of yore when he famously refused to be interviewed by the BBC after he won the Grand National for the first time with Earth Summit some ten years ago.
The extent to which the new track at Great Leighs remains unfinished was borne in on those inhabiting the reserve press room last Sunday. After one of their number used the adjoining toilet facilities, it quickly became very clear that some were not, in fact, plumbed in to any water system.
Ron Cox's tip of the day
Centennial 4.30 Sandown
Centennial is likely to be in demand for the Derby after his reappearance run in the Classic Trial today. Having made his debut in the same Yarmouth maiden as his stablemate, the 2,000 Guineas hope Raven's Pass, who outpaced him, he has made great strides and was only beaten by a top-class runner from Andre Fabre's yard in a French Group Three when last seen out.
Click here for all the day's racecards, form, stats and results.
And click here for today's latest odds.
