Those of us who side with If In Doubt (3.00) for Saturday’s Hennessy Gold Cup may know our fate at an early stage. The seven-year-old can only win this if he has brushed up his jumping since his novice escapades last season.
But the home reports on that front have been positive this autumn and there has been significant support for him in recent days. If he can put in a more professional display here, with the help of Barry Geraghty riding him for the first time, he will be hard to beat.
The most vivid impression he made last winter was in the Skybet Chase, once known as the Great Yorkshire, when he raced at the back, on the outside of the pack for most of the contest and was frequently clumsy at his obstacles. That kind of beginning does not often produce a happy ending, yet he cruised into the contest at the turn for home and won easily.
Even though he failed to take to Cheltenham for the second time when tried in the RSA, he still ran on up the hill to be a respectable fifth after further awkward jumps. He must have some engine and should still be able to win from a mark 10lb higher than his Doncaster success.
Should he make a significant mistake, it will be hard to see him landing such a high-quality and competitive event as this. In that event, perhaps Smad Place may benefit, having looked so much happier after a wind operation last time.
It is only with reluctance that The Druids Nephew is passed over. He was a classy winner at the Festival and would have followed up in the Grand National but for one of the softest falls ever seen at Aintree. But the suspicion is that ground this soft does not suit him ideally.
1.15 Newbury An impressive winner of his two chases this autumn, the ex-French-trained five-year-old Aloomomo belongs in this company and should have plenty more to offer.
1.50 Newbury With the Harry Fry yard now in peak form, Sir Ivan is of interest. He travelled strongly before tiring on his Wetherby reappearance and should be sharper here, with a hood to help him settle.
2.05 Newcastle There isn’t much between the top three in the betting but Irving seems a more reliable proposition at the highest level than the favourite, Wicklow Brave, now having his 12th outing since February.
2.25 Newbury Whisper is taken to confirm Aintree form with Cole Harden, though the unexposed Thistlecrack also looks dangerous.
2.40 Newcastle Masters Hill takes the eye, in view of the form of the Tizzard yard, but The Last Samuri is preferred on his debut for Kim Bailey. He progressed well over fences for Donald McCain last winter and still looks on a favourable handicap mark.
3.35 Newbury A proven mudlark from an in-form stable, Whispering Harry should show the benefit of a hurdles spin on his recent reappearance.
