Saturday’s best bets, by Chris Cook
Poor is the man who keeps giving chances to frustrating horses, so the risk is clear for anyone drawn to Buywise (2.25) for Saturday’s Paddy Power Gold Cup, the highlight of a typically competitive Cheltenham card. At odds of 16-1, however, this talented eight-year-old makes a lot of appeal and it is by no means impossible that this race will work out well for him.
He has had his supporters for four handicap chases at Cheltenham in the past 20 months and only managed to win the least valuable of those. His jumping has been an issue, even if he hasn’t fallen since his hunter chasing days, but the hope is that he is now so experienced that extreme hold-up tactics are not required. He has been the type to run on strongly but too late.
Still, the ability is there and there was a lot of promise in his reappearance outing at Aintree last month. With the Evan Williams string flying along at present, he could outrun his odds.
Boondooma is very easy to like after his success here last time and he would make a good saver, regardless of what else you fancy. Sound Investment and Art Mauresque are much respected, from the yard that has won this race twice in the past three years. Kings Palace, on the other hand, has developed a nasty habit of running below expectations on the biggest days.
1.50 Cheltenham: Upswing has looked a chaser for years and something presumably discouraged connections from going that way with him from the start of last season. He looks like taking to it now, on the strength of two spins around Worcester, and is on a fair mark if handling this more demanding circuit.
2.05 Wetherby: Fitter for an encouraging reappearance at Ayr, De Vous A Moi may build on the good start he made over fences last winter. Voyage A New York comes from a stable in terrific form but the value of his chase form to this point is dubious.
3.00 Cheltenham: Batavir would be the pick if David Pipe’s runners were faring better but there is a little question mark over that stable’s form just now. Sir Mangan seemed to benefit for the switch to Dan Skelton when scoring at Fontwell last time, despite being short of peak fitness.
3.15 Wetherby: Kayf Blanco’s first run for five months at Wetherby last time was close to a career best, yet he hinted at potential for better in finishing third that time. This is a fair chance for Graeme McPherson’s handicap hurdler.
3.35 Cheltenham: An easy winner at Killarney in May, Leave At Dawn travelled well before seeming to need the run at Galway last month. He may prove a deal sharper here.
