Today’s best bets, by Chris Cook
Is it too much to expect Coneygree to be ready to do himself justice in today’s Punchestown Gold Cup? Having been cuffed by Cue Card in November, he was on the sidelines for the thick end of four months before going back into fast work a month ago.
Much depends on how fit he was to that point but, donning my Amateur Trainer hat, it doesn’t sound like the ideal preparation for a race against proper Gold Cup types. Punchestown can throw up some funny results but maybe not this funny.
I picked up Djakadam and had a good look at him. He is, after all, a dual winner at Punchestown, albeit not at the spring festival, at which his record is 0/3. But even if he puts in a better round of jumping than at Cheltenham, I don’t see him turning the form around with Sizing John (5.30). The latter is fairly priced at evens.
In Britain, it’s good old Epsom once again, where Galapiat (3.15) carries the burden of trying to sustain The Guardian’s run of winning naps. Formerly with Andre Fabre, he hosed up at Leicester on his debut for Mark Johnston and an 11lb higher mark does not look unbeatable.
It has escaped no one’s attention that Galapiat holds an entry in the Coronation Cup. He races prominently, which is good news on this fast ground and I think Barwick might be struggling to reel him in before the post comes. Johnston is not in brilliant form but hopefully Galapiat can score just the same at 13-8 or so.
The 15-2 about Banditry (3.50) looks big in the City And Suburban. He’s done really well since joining the resurgent Ian Williams last year, has won his last three on the Flat and still looks progressive. I have to hope the hold-up tactics won’t be overdone from his wide stall.
Masterofdiscovery (5.00) is a front-runner who might be well suited by this track on a fast surface. Ten furlongs was too far for him at the end of his juvenile season but he has won both his mile handicaps and another big run seems likely at 6-1.
Wednesday racing tips
Catterick
1.50 Culloden 2.20 A Bit Of Ginger 2.55 Castle Hill Cassie 3.25 Star Glitter 4.00 Hot Hannah 4.35 Madroos 5.05 Olympic Duel
Perth
2.00 Royal Village 2.35 Catchthemoonlight 3.05 Robin’Hannon 3.35 Ballykan 4.10 The Wise One 4.40 Petite Power 5.10 Idder
Epsom
2.10 Lathom 2.45 Cracksman 3.15 Galapiat (nap) 3.50 Banditry 4.25 Leader’s Legacy 5.00 Masterofdiscovery (nb)
Lingfield
4.45 Sans Souci Bay 5.20 Casimiro 5.50 Termsnconditions 6.25 Wordsearch 6.55 Chestnut Fire 7.25 Tai Hang Dragon 7.55 Henry Grace
Exeter
4.50 Glimpse Of Gold 5.25 Stealing Mix 6.00 Markov 6.35 Boss In Boots 7.05 Wonga Swinger 7.40 Sword Of Fate 8.10 Take Em Out
