‘Fear of regret’ is a factor one should try to eliminate when sorting through horse races in search of a tip or a bet but it is so much more easily said than done. I was with Buywise when he was a heartbreaking runner-up at 10-1 at Cheltenham last month and so the temptation is to go with him again on Saturday as he tries to go one better in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup.
Oh, it will hurt if he wins this time after I have shifted my favours elsewhere. I could shield myself from that pain by just tipping him again. But on the whole, I think Annacotty (1.50) is a better bet to repeat the victory he scored in that same race.
That was, after all, not the first time Buywise had finished strongly from just a bit too far back. His less than fluent jumping is always going to be a risk at Cheltenham and perhaps this time he will not benefit from the strong pace that caused those in front to get really tired last time.
He will not have the help of his regular jockey, Paul Moloney, who has since been injured. Adam Wedge is a capable substitute but his record at Cheltenham in recent seasons is one win from 23 rides.
Annacotty was a Grade One winner for Martin Keighley but his success here last month was probably a career high on his first outing for Alan King and he may yet have more to offer at the age of seven. He has been raised a manageable 5lb and should be more at home on the softer surface he will get this time.
Champagne West and Village Vic give Philip Hobbs two respectable bites at the cherry. I am a bit suspicious of Tenor Nivernais, a recent winner who failed to build on a similar success at the start of last season. Irish Cavalier, Sound Investment and Art Mauresque come from yards that would normally be showing stronger form at this time of year.
2.05 Doncaster There must be more to come from Fouburg, who ran too freely on his racecourse debut at Ludlow last month, met trouble in running and was narrowly beaten by an odds-on shot. With a 4lb pull he may improve enough to turn the tables on Who Dares Wins.
2.25 Cheltenham From the red-hot Harry Fry yard Unowhatimeanharry looks dramatically improved for the change of yard and the fitting of a tongue tie. This switch from handicaps to a Graded novice hurdle requires more but he appears the most exciting talent on show.
2.40 Doncaster Weather Babe has much to recommend her but her credentials on soft ground are not clear. Southfield Royale is a hugely promising young chaser who hosed up in similar conditions at Wetherby last month and deserves this crack at Graded company.
3.00 Cheltenham This is the seasonal reappearance for the leading Champion Hurdle contender, Peace And Co, still unbeaten over hurdles and likely to remain so here. He won the Triumph Hurdle on similarly soft ground when last seen, beating Top Notch, who has advertised that form with a couple of fine runs this autumn. This is a demanding step up in class for the second-favourite, Old Guard.
3.35 Cheltenham It will be fascinating to see what Dr Richard Newland, noted for his ability to improve horses, can do with The Govaness, who was already a likable and progressive type for her previous trainer last season. She can repeat her April defeat of Broxbourne at this track, that rival having already scored this autumn.
