The big handicap chase at Cheltenham’s December meeting has always been an obvious target for horses that ran well in the Paddy Power Gold Cup in November, and eight of the winners since 2006 lined up for that race three weeks beforehand.
Only Exotic Dancer, in 2006, has completed the double, however, and he had enough quality to make the frame in a Gold Cup.
Midnight Shadow, who overcome a stumble at the last to scramble home in the Paddy Power last time, is not quite in that class and has been raised 7lb since, so once again, it may pay to look for a horse that ran well behind the winner.
Lalor and Dostal Phil, close up in third and fourth, respectively, both arrive with solid claims and at the likely odds, Dostal Phil (1.50) makes most appeal at around 7-1. He is lightly raced for an eight-year-old, with only six starts over fences behind him, and should come on for his latest start, his first since April.
Doncaster 2.05 Every runner here goes to post with a chance on their best form, but Takeit Easy split two subsequent winners at Huntingdon last time and makes most appeal at the prices at around 9-2.
Cheltenham 2.25 The market is focused on Blazing Khal and Gelino Bello, first and second in a similar race here last month, which makes Olly Murphy’s Barony Legends very backable at around 6-1. He was an easy winner on a tight rein at Lingfield in October but still stopped the clock in a useful time.
Doncaster 2.40 Knight Salute has a penalty for his win in a Grade Two at Cheltenham last month and that could open the door for Magistrato, who was close up in fourth there, to reverse the form.
Cheltenham 3.00 A couple of these are better over further so last year’s winner Song For Someone is worth an interest to build on his strong run into second when giving 6lb to the upwardly-mobile winner, Buzz, at Ascot last time.
Doncaster: 11.50 Top Of The Bill, 12.20 Stepney Causeway, 12.55 Threeunderthrufive, 1.30 Shantou Sunset, 2.05 Takeit Easy (nb), 2.40 Magistrato, 3.15 The Wolf.
Cheltenham: 12.05 Yorksea, 12.40 My Drogo, 1.15 Editeur Du Gite, 1.50 Dostal Phil (nap), 2.25 Barony Legends, 3.00 Song For Someone, 3.35 Wynn House.
Hereford: 12.12 Velasco, 12.47 Braganza Bay, 1.22 Kapga De Lily, 1.57 Flashing Glance, 2.32 Sarasota Star, 3.07 Vee Dancer, 3.42 Bo Kaap.
Newcastle: 1.45 Victoriano, 2.20 Rainbow Dreamer, 2.55 Sir Chauvelin, 3.30 Luxor Flush, 4.00 Nolton Cross, 4.30 Millionaire Waltz, 5.00 Amasova, 5.30 Whiteandblue.
Wolverhampton: 4.15 Local Bay, 4.45 Diamond Jill, 5.15 Phoenix Aquilus, 5.45 Peintre D’Etoiles, 6.15 Quick Change, 6.45 Royal Cygnet, 7.15 Muscika, 7.45 Sands Of Time.
Doncaster 3.15 The Wolf ran his best race over fences with a tongue-tie applied for the first time at Perth back in April and has gone well after a break in the past.
Cheltenham 3.35 Wynn House showed improved form to win at Wincanton last month and the form is backed up by the clock so a 3lb rise in the weights may not be enough to stop her following up.
