One of the footnotes to an excellent season for Paul Nicholls is that he has managed at least one winner on all 17 Saturdays since the start of November, which counts as a significant achievement considering so much quality jump racing takes place on Saturdays. Nicholls has never sustained such a run this far into the season and he is only two weekends from making it extend all the way to the Festival.
He could land what passes for a big race today thanks to Sound Investment (3.25) in Newbury’s Greatwood Gold Cup, a contest the trainer has won five times in the past seven years. The seven-year-old was a comfortable winner at Sandown in November and a good second over this course and distance later that month.
He failed to stay in a better race at Ascot just before Christmas but the way he travelled through that race suggests he is up to winning a contest of this quality, now that he drops back in distance once more.
1.45 Newbury Provo will be a danger to all if he steps forward on his recent reappearance but Leave It Be might be a better bet in the first-time hood. He rewarded each-way support on his first run for Neil Mulholland and now makes his handicap debut off a fair mark with Barry Geraghty aboard.
2.00 Doncaster It is a risk to give another chance to Festive Affair but this is a weak heat and the impression remains that he can do better than in his two previous appearances this season.
2.15 Newbury Having always promised to make a decent staying chaser, Soll seemed to take a step forward on his first start for David Pipe three weeks ago, wearing a first-time tongue tie. Blinkers replace cheekpieces this time, so clearly he has issues but he still looks well treated.
2.35 Doncaster In hindsight Balmusette put up an excellent effort when failing by a length and a half to give 13lb to Dewala, who went up 8lb and won again by five lengths next time. With doubts about the market-leaders, her chance may have been underestimated here.
2.50 Newbury Having taken a major step forward to score at Plumpton last month, Like Sully may have more to offer. The ground was bottomless that day but his breeding suggests he does not need it that way.
3.10 Doncaster On handicap debut at Kempton in early November Call The Cops finished strongly but too late into fourth. He will appreciate this dry surface and it is at least possible that connections are trying to earn him a penalty with a possible Cheltenham run in mind.
3.45 Doncaster The winner of this race last year, Night In Milan, has run well here on his last two starts, including when third behind a handicap blot in the Great Yorkshire last month. He has nothing in hand of the handicapper but these are his conditions and he may be able to do enough.
Good luck!
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