Race of the Day 
/ Timeform / 02 March 2012 / Leave a Comment 
Newbury hosts the Greatwood Gold Cup on Saturday.
"An open contest in which it might be worth chancing last year's winner Fine Parchment , who has slipped back to a decent mark..."
Timeform provide a runner-by-runner guide to the Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday...
Woolcombe Folly confirmed himself a high-class 2m chaser last term, but below form this winter, including when stepped up to this sort of trip latest. Bit to prove at present.
Mad Max was a smart chaser at best, but has had various breathing operations and again found little on reappearance for new yard last time. Sounder surface here should suit but comes with obvious risks attached.
Aerial made a winning start for yard at Wincanton last February and improved again this term, winning 6-runner event at Ascot in between 2 solid efforts in Cheltenham handicaps. Set to go well again.
Crescent Island ran a blinder to be runner-up over C&D in November, but followed that with poor display at Cheltenham, and worse still when reluctant and pulled up last twice. One to treat with caution.
Dave's Dream has not progressed since winning 2m Cheltenham handicap on 2010/11 reappearance, and didn't go with much zest last time. Conditions should suit, but first-time blinkers need to spark revival.
Dan Breen won twice over fences last season, rounding off with good third in Grade 1 at Aintree, but not gone with any fluency in 2 starts this term, and cheekpieces tried now.
Araldur is a very useful chaser who showed he's as good as ever when runner-up at Wetherby on reappearance. Below best twice since, though better than result at Cheltenham latest, headway until late mistakes.
Pasco is a smart chaser up to 2½m, and goes particularly well at this track, runner-up in this 2 years go. Needs to bounce back from tame display last time but likely been trained with this race in mind.
Passato racked up a 4-timer during the early part of last season, and back to form when in the frame here and at Ascot this season. Below best latest, though, and others preferred for win purposes.
Pickamus is a front runner who was badly out of sorts last season, but returned in much better heart when length second in Stratford handicap. Respectable effort from out of weights latest, and place claims.
Fix The Rib is a front runner who showed smart form to win at Ascot in late-2009. Not as good now, but showed some ability remains when solid third of 14 in Kempton handicap last time, though others preferred here.
Fine Parchment had productive time last season, taking form up another notch when landing this race last year. Only 3 lb higher now, and given time to get over laboured effort latest, so needs consideration.
Rileyev improved this term, following win here (17f) with good second at Cheltenham in December. Not in same form last few starts, however, and opposable up in trip from 3 lb out of weights.
Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Fine Parchment
2. Pasco
3. Aerial
Timeform Verdict: An open contest in which it might be worth chancing last year's winner Fine Parchment, who has slipped back to a decent mark. Pasco tends to save his best for this track and needs respecting, with consistent stablemate Aerial another to consider.
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Timeform ratings were in great form last Saturday! Among 5 top-rated winners at Kempton was Nacarat (BSP [5.58]). Click HERE for today's cards & ratings.
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