Friday's pot of Gold-Cheltenham Day 4

Cheltenham Gold Cup

2 out of 3 of my naps won with Big Zeb perhaps an unlucky second. If you missed them, fear not, my nap of the festival runs in the Gold Cup. Imperial Commander won last season in style in the race that was billed a two horse race between Kauto Star and Denman. Both horses have been written off this season as one paced old timers which is a bit harsh and while I think neither will win, I wouldn't rule them out of the places.

Long Run is the new pretender to the throne and at the Cheltenham preview night Anthony Bromley made a good case for not ruling him out on the basis of he doesn't suit Cheltenham. He claims he was over the top after a long season for the RSA chase last year and Henderson's horses were running terribly back in November. I backed him for the King George but I subscribe to the theory he suits flatter tracks like Kempton, Newbury and Warwick where we have seen the best of him.

Pandorama is another horse I tipped up back at Christmas for the Lexus and while he is another underrated Irish horse to the Brits, He does need plenty of soft in the description. He may get it if the forecast is right but he'll need plenty of rain in the night and morning to get involved. Has only lost once over fences so far.

Kempes has been popular in recent days but this would be a really bad Gold CUp if he was to win while Midnight Chase is a real Cheltenham course specialist and will make ita real test of stamina. He would need mistakes to happen in behind and skip ahead and hold on to the end but is not a forlorn hope.

However it all comes back to Imperial Commander has only lost once over fences round Cheltenham when he bounced after a recent run. He needs to go fresh and he has that. He should be so much shorter than he is and has to be backed to retain hit title.



VERDICT: Imperial Commander (nap)

Triumph Hurdle

Unnacompanied looked fantastic while winning last time out but the big thing that keeps putting me off is Dermot Weld's terrible record here. I hope he wins to break the hoodoo but I just can't bring myself to back him poor race, He's only had one winner in Britain over jumps since 2003. Zarkander is the Adonis winners which has supplied 4 out of the last 11 winners of this race and don't let me put you off but if he was the machine people say he is surely Ruby would be on him.Sam Winner looked fantastic in the early season but flopped at Chepstow in january. Paul Nicholls blames himself for running him on bottomless ground and if you forgive that run, he'd be short priced favourite here. I'm willing to forgive and suggest you do likewise.Henderson has won last two renewals and has a great record overall and while I don't fancy A Media Luz at all, Grandouet could get involved I don't see him as genuine favourite especially as he was a deservedly beaten By Sam Winner earlier in the season

VERDICT: Sam Winner

Vincent O´Brien County Handicap Hurdle

This looks a trappy renewal as always and while some harbour resentment this is no longer the getting out stakes, I'd be delighted not to need this race to find my last winner at Cheltenham 2011. We'll still try and find one though. I backed Dee Ee Williams in this at a huge price last season and while I'm sure he'll come again, he looks to be in the handicappers grip. Instead I'm looking at another well handicapped on his best form who loves Cheltenham. Premier Dane nearly won this in 2008 and ran a good race back in December here off 11-9. He now carries 10-2 and can sneak into the 5 places on offer or even win. Alavian and Grey Soldier will be very popular in the shops and while I'd never write off Gordon Elliots charge Grey Soldier has not impressed me once over the last few seasons but perhaps the big day and all will bring out improvement

VERDICT: Premier Dane

Albert Bartlett Novices´ Hurdle

Bobs Worth skipped the Neptunes in favour of this easier race and while I have no strong opinion on this race, it should be noted he had Rock on Ruby back in second at Cheltenham earlier in the season. Ground is a worry though as he may want it slower(rain may come tonight) Court in Motion has a poor run last time and better ground could see him getting involved

VERDICT: Bobs Worth

Christie´s Foxhunter Chase

Baby Run has a new jockey in the saddle in another of Twiston Davies young sons but that should not stop another repeat victory here. He won this by 5 lengths last season and has already two wins to his belt this season. It's an obvious choice but I will be steaming in especially if Imperial Commander wins the 3:20
On the Fringe has been the springer in the market and huge scope for improvement but I think this fella will be their next cross county champion.

VERDICT:Baby Run

Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys´ Handicap Hurdle

Qaspal's fitness has to be taken on trust but he looks the class act in a very poor race. This field really doesn't deserve its place at the festival

VERDICT: Qaspal

Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase Challenge Cup

The new getting out stakes is a lighting 2 miles around where they go like the clappers even faster in the early stages than the Champion Chase. Luck needs to be no your side

Pepe Simao has been the talking horse and don't be surprised if a gamble starts on the Walsh/Nicholls horse. In the last 10 years 7 winners have been priced less than 10/1 so plots are well established in this race. Tanks for That is the initial favourite as it's assumed Henderson always wants to win this and keeps one back. I'm not sure and reckon Henderson's great season so far has his horses high enough up the weights. Keki Buku is come up against some strong opposition this season in the likes of Rock Noir and off 10-7 could be just the type to go close at a big price

VERDICT: Keki Buku


Selections
1:30 Sam Winner
2:05 Premier Dane
2:40 Bobs Worth
3:20 Imperial Commander (nap)
4:00 Baby Run
4:40 Qaspal
5:15 Keki Buku