Grand National Meeting: Flemenstar team up for Cue Card clash

"Referring to the lung infection that ruled him out of Cheltenham, Casey said 'He’s grand now, not a bother on him, and he’s going to Liverpool for the Melling over two and a half'."

Trainer Peter Casey has indicated that the Melling Chase on April 5, and a clash with Ryanair winner Cue Card, is the next intended outing for leading Irish chaser Flemenstar.

Speaking to the Irish Times, Casey laid out the plan with Flemenstar for the remainder of the season, which also includes an even more audacious shot at Champion Chase winner Sprinter Sacre.

Referring to the lung infection that ruled him out of Cheltenham, Casey said "He's grand now, not a bother on him, and he's going to Liverpool for the Melling over two and a half. If all goes well there, he'll probably go to Punchestown for the two-mile race. The two-mile race was what we wanted to run in at Cheltenham."

The match-up between Flemenstar and Cue Card at Aintree would be a fascinating one, and not just because the pair sit on an identical Timeform steeplechase rating of 175. Flemenstar has become one of the most popular chasers in his native land, in no small part on account of his bold jumping in front. Similarly, Cue Card put up one of the performances of the Cheltenham Festival with an exemplary display of front-running in the Ryanair. Both horses best efforts have come when allowed to stride on, and it's doubtful that either will be asked to concede the lead to the other in the Melling Chase.

The race would also mark the first run in Britain for Flemenstar, who has previously been reported to be a poor traveller. The intermediate trip of two-and-a-half miles is possibly ideal for him, and certainly more suitable than three miles, over which he's been defeated on his last two starts, on the second occasion by subsequent Gold Cup runner-up Sir des Champs in the Irish Hennessy.

A potential date with Sprinter Sacre at Punchestown for Flemenstar could be even more significant from Timeform's point of view, as on ratings Flemenstar is one of the likelier candidates to push Sprinter Sacre into exercising the 'p' still attached to his already monstrous 192 rating. Despite Sprinter Sacre still having just eight chase starts to his name, only Arkle and Flyingbolt have ever been rated higher by Timeform.

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Sectional Debrief: Day Three Newmarket July Meeting

Mayson’s success in the Group 1 July Cup took many by surprise, but the evidence of the clock is that he is bordering on high-class...

Simon Rowlands, Timeform's Head of Research and Development, reviews the sectionals from the third and final day of Newmarket's July Meeting...

A substantial amount of rain on what was already just about soft going turned conditions "heavy" for day three, though nowhere near unraceable as some were suggesting. Furthermore, overall and sectional times indicated that conditions deteriorated a negligible amount as the card progressed.

The following are the headline figures from the day, provided by TurfTrax:

• The fastest opening furlong was recorded by Reply (14.61 sec, 30.80 mph from a standing start) in the Group 1 July Cup, in which he finished last of 12.

• The fastest individual furlong was recorded by Ortensia (11.41 sec, 39.44 mph) in the third of the six furlongs of that race. The mare's effort was short-lived and she finished fourth.

• The fastest closing furlong was recorded by Hasopop (14.13 sec, 31.85 mph) in the steadily-run two-year-old conditions stakes which followed the feature event. Hasopop won by seven lengths and eight lengths in a field of three.

• Mayson's success in the Group 1 July Cup took many by surprise, but the evidence of the clock is that he is bordering on high-class, if not quite so good as a face-value interpretation of the result might suggest. He set a good pace after the opening furlong, registering three successive sub-12-second furlongs in the middle of the race, on his way to a good overall time. His last two furlongs sectionals were both faster than any of his rivals'.

• The first furlong of the opening one-mile handicap was remarkably slow (16.25 sec, 27.69 mph), and the horse that set it, Ocean Tempest got back up having quickened to challenge again with a sub-12-second furlong between three furlongs and two furlongs out.

• Olympic Glory had just enough left to hold off Birdman in the Group 2 Superlative Stakes, his final furlong a fairly slow (compared to his overall time) 14.57 sec, raising some doubts about his stamina for still further when conditions are testing.

• Bonnie Brae had as many in front of her as behind her mid-race in the 15-runner Bunbury Cup Handicap but jockey Ryan Moore had judged things well, and she recorded close to optimum sectionals as she overhauled pace-setters Captain Bertie and Captain Ramius, posting the fastest sectionals for the last two furlongs for good measure. Captain Ramius, in particular, probably deserves marking up.

• John Louis made all in the concluding handicap, though sectional analysis shows he was plodding by the end and that his overall time will have suffered by going as fast as he did earlier. This sectional profile - of a leader running his rivals into the ground and holding on for a win in a slowish time - is seen more often over jumps but was also in evidence in Cape Blanco's 2010 Irish Champion Stakes success on the Flat.

Full details of by-furlong individual sectional times for the first two days of the Newmarket July Meeting can be found on the TurfTrax website: http://www.turftrax.co.uk/tracking-data-julymeeting-2012.html

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Betting Briefing: Ascot stages exciting Shergar Cup meeting

Timeform Features / Timeform / 30 July 2011 / Leave a Comment

Ascot is host for one of the most enjoyable meetings in racing this Saturday.

"The highlight of the week on Saturday with the Shergar Cup set to be staged at Ascot where Great Britain, Ireland, Europe and the Rest of the World will be competing to land the winning prizes..."

Timeform look ahead to next week's racing, with the highlight taking place next Saturday as Ascot stages the Shergar Cup meeting...

Sunday July 31
The Queensferry Stakes at Chester and the Chalice Stakes at Newbury take the fore on Sunday afternoon in Britain with a National Hunt meeting also coming from Market Rasen. Over in Ireland the Galway Festival draws to a close with an eight-race mixed-card and there is a Flat meeting at Cork.

Monday August 1
Ripon is the venue for afternoon Flat racing whilst Windsor and Carlisle both stage evening meetings. Newton Abbot is the host on Monday afternoon for the only Jumps fixture of the day in this country whilst over in Ireland there is National Hunt racing at Cork and action on the level at Naas.

Tuesday August 2
Bath and Catterick stage afternoon Flat racing while Ffos Las and Southwell are on during the evening. There is action over Jumps in Ireland with a single meeting taking place at Roscommon.

Wednesday August 3
There are six Flat meetings in total on Wednesday with afternoon action at Brighton, Newcastle and Pontefract. Evening meetings at Kempton and Yarmouth complete the schedule in this country while Sligo hosts a Flat meeting in Ireland.

Thursday August 4
A busy Thursday program and action on the level is set to continue this side of the Irish Sea with Brighton, Haydock and Yarmouth the three venues for afternoon racing followed by further Flat racing coming from Chepstow, Folkestone and Sandown during the evening. Over in Ireland there are two meetings as Leopardstown stages the Group 3 Ballyroan Stakes over a flat mile and a half and Sligo hosts a National Hunt Card.

Friday August 5
Flat racing on Friday comes from Brighton and Lingfield during the afternoon whilst Haydock and Newmarket stage evening meetings. Worcester hosts the the only Jumps card of the afternoon with Tipperary staging two Listed Flat contests in Ireland during the evening, including the Abergwaun Stakes.

Saturday August 6
The highlight of the week on Saturday, with the Shergar Cup set to be staged at Ascot where Great Britain, Ireland, Europe and the Rest of the World will be competing to land the winning prizes. Richard Hughes will be captaining the Irish team once again as they seek to land yet another victory in the competition but the race for the Silver Saddle may prove the most fascinating contest on an action-packed afternoon.

Flat racing continues elsewhere at Haydock, Newmarket and Redcar during the afternoon with the Group 3 Sweet Solera Stakes at HQ and the Group 3 Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock. Ayr and Lingfield complete the week's racing with evening meetings on the level and in addition to this Kilbeggan also hosts a National Hunt meeting over in Ireland.

The traditional cavalry charge over Goodwood's sharp six furlongs looks as tough to fathom as ever, but Simon Rowlands reckons there are two you must have on your side......

Wondermare Goldikova returns to the racecourse this Sunday for the first time since her defeat to Canford Cliffs at Royal Ascot and is set to face seven rivals when she attempts to land the Group 1 Prix Rothschild at Deauville for a fourth time......

Timeform give an overview of the weekend's best racing with the notable highlight being the Group 1 Nassau Stakes on the final day of Glorious Goodwood......

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Handicappers' Corner: The July Meeting

Handicappers' Corner / David Johnson / 11 July 2011 / Leave a Comment

Dream Ahead quickens to win the July Cup

"Dream Ahead...certainly gave the impression there was more to come and his master rating was raised to 129, the highest figure awarded to a July Cup winner since Mozart in 2001."

The July Meeting was backed up by top action at York and Ascot this weekend and there was plenty of quality on show to keep our handicappers busy. David Johnson reflects on how the action has affected the ratings of some of the top performers this week...

There's a well worn phrase in racing relating to Sir Michael Stoute's record with improving older horses, and though not many 6-y-o mares remain in his hands, his handling of Crystal Capella shows there is more than a grain of truth to it.

Crystal Capella has been restricted to just seven outings in the last three years, but when she's made it to the track she's usually made it count, notably so when winning the Princess of Wales's Stakes last week by 8 lengths from Redwood.

In a race where they finished extremely well strung out, and only the third Buthelezi could also be considered to have run to form, Crystal Capella was awarded a rating of 127. This figure, if anything, is a lowish view of the form with race standards giving a range of 127-134 and prior-rating standards pointing to a figure of 130.

This rating promotes Crystal Capella to the head of the ratings for the middle-distance fillies and mares, 1 lb ahead of Midday. There's a strong possibility the pair could clash in the Yorkshire Oaks, and that would be a race to savour.

The feature of the meeting was the July Cup, switched to Saturday for the first time and last year's Middle Park winner Dream Ahead confirmed that 6f is his optimum trip by returning to form to land the spoils. Rated 128 at the end of last year, Dream Ahead didn't quite have to match that, running to 126, the same as runner-up Bated Breath, but certainly gave the impression there was more to come and his master rating was raised to 129, the highest figure awarded to a July Cup winner since Mozart in 2001.

The other Group 1 at the meeting, the Falmouth Stakes, failed to produce such a commanding winner. Tactics played a huge part in the outcome with Timepiece well suited by racing close up in a slowly run race, and it's doubtful that she'd confirm the placing with a few others on a more level playing field.

Even so Timepiece has been credited with a small amount of improvement and is now rated 118, but she remains rated lower than Sahpresa (122), River Jetez (120), Lily of The Valley (124) and Antara (119) who all finished behind her.

Some of the Royal Ascot juvenile form came under the microscope at the meeting too. Frederick Engels showed again what a shrewd acquisition he was by Pearl Bloodstock by adding the July Stakes to his Windsor Castle victory. He earned a performance figure of 110+ for beating Roman Soldier by a length, increasing his master rating to 114, and he's now second only to Bapak Chinta in the list of Timeform's top juveniles.

Gamilati, who was a maiden coming into the race, took a few notable scalps when winning the Cherry Hinton. Her rating of 108 still leaves her behind the below-form third Shumoos, whilst runner-up Russelliana, rated 103p, perhaps has the scope to improve past the pair of them.

The Superlative Stakes looks quite a strong renewal this year with Red Duke and Chandery pulling clear of the rest, and they earned figures of 110p and 107 respectively.

There were also some notable efforts outside of pattern company amongst the juveniles too. Harbour Watch had his field well strung out in the 6f conditions race and was awarded a performance figure of 108+ and a master rating of 111p, and he can be expected to make the step up to pattern company sooner rather than later.

It was off to York form some of the best handicap performances of the week. Green Destiny shrugged a poor effort aside at Royal Ascot to run out a one-sided winner of the John Smith's Cup, earning a rating of 118p. Even with a penalty, he'll look one of the best treated for the totesport Mile at Glorious Goodwood.

Rather lost in all of this was the Summer Mile at Ascot in which Dick Turpin got back to winning way. He recorded a performance figure of 126 in defeating Fanunalter, and his master rating remains unchanged on 127.

If there wasn't enough action in the UK over the weekend, there was also the Man O' War Stakes at Belmont where Cape Blanco got back to winning ways in defeating Gio Ponti. Race standards and prior rating standards suggest Cape Blanco didn't need to improve on his pre-race rating of 124. He has been rated higher than that is in the past, running to 130 in last year's Irish Champion Stakes.

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The Timeform team of handicappers give their verdicts on the top performances of the last week. Simon Rowlands reports......

Simon Rowlands reflects on last week's racing from the perspective of Timeform's handicappers......

Aidan O'Brien's double, Society Rock's winning run and a fine victory for the well-backed Deacon Blues are analysed here by David Johnson after the final day at Royal Ascot....

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Timeform Radio Racing Tips: Fairy tale ending to IGN meeting?

Timeform Radio Tip / David Cleary / 26 April 2011 / Leave a Comment

Will you back David's Fairyhouse bet?

"Alaivan’s form isn’t easy to weigh up but this likely test of speed should suit him down to the ground."

Timeform Radio Pundit David Cleary crosses the Irish Sea to come up with Tuesday's best bet...

There are thin pickings indeed on the domestic front in Britain this afternoon, with some unappealing fare on the Flat and very small fields over the jumps at Exeter. Therefore, the most interesting betting race may well be at Fairyhouse on the last day of the Irish Grand National meeting, namely the handicap hurdle at 18:00.

The Fred Winter winner What A Charm is the likely favourite and she is still well in on her Flat form but this may be more of a test of speed than is ideal for her. Jack Cool is the pick of the weights on his Aintree second last time and is a major player but Alaivan looked the winner of the ultracompetitive County Hurdle at Cheltenham before the stiff finish found him out and he has the greater potential to improve. Alaivan's earlier form this campaign isn't easy to weigh up but can be read very positively and this likely test of speed should suit him down to the ground.

The best option among the 26 runners that go to post for the six races at Exeter may be Sir Clad in the closing four-runner handicap hurdle at 16:50. His recent form in handicaps is more solid than likely favourite Rolanta's selling win here last time.

Recommended Bets:
Back Alaivan @ 7.0 in the 18.00 at Fairyhouse
Back Sir Clad @ 3.6 in the 16.50 at Exeter

Terry Norman gives us his two best bets from an action-packed day's racing......

Jeremy Grayson makes the picks on a Sunday of mixed Flat and jumps action...

Rory Delargy is the Timeform Radio pundit on another exceptionally busy Saturday afternoon, and his best bet comes in the hugely competitive Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown....

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Haydock Grand National Trial Meeting Preview: Top weight no barrier for Silver By Nature

Tipping / Timeform / 17 February 2011 / Leave a Comment

Silver By Nature bids to follow up last year's Haydock success

"Likewise weight isn't a huge hindrance, with two winners carrying top weight of 11-12 in the past eight years, something which last year's winner Silver By Nature has to deal with this time around."

Haydock stages one of its flagship jumping days on Saturday, featuring three Grade 2 hurdles as well as the Grand National Trial, in which Silver By Nature bids to repeat last year's success...

The Victor Ludorum gets things underway (13:40), when Local Hero aims to continue his progression up the juvenile hurdling ranks. The Steve Gollings-trained gelding may have appeared only workmanlike in victory at Cheltenham last time, but he responded favourably to AP McCoy's urgings and it will be interesting to see if connections of the second-placed Third Intention take him on again after that horse pulled far too hard early on last time. Smad Place is a huge danger but has to put a disappointing run behind him, whilst Alan King also has Dhaafer, Jalail and Kumbeshwar to choose from. Houblon des Obeaux is the other horse to note after an encouraging British debut, when succumbing only to Marsh Warbler in a Grade 1 at Chepstow.

The Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle (14:10), formerly known as the Prestige, was won by the since-unbeaten novice chaser Wymott last year, and his trainer Donald McCain has the improving pair of Lively Baron and Tornado Bob entered at this stage. However, both will have to continue their rapid progress if they are to challenge the strong-travelling Court In Motion, who has already shown form good enough to win an average renewal of this race and is a high-class prospect indeed. Dangers include Mr Moonshine, who is a fluent jumper and is capable of better still, and Rose of The Moon, who was second to Bobs Worth at Cheltenham but needs to put a desperate run last time firmly behind him.

The Rendlesham Hurdle (14:45) has been won by some very good staying hurdlers in its history and has been a happy hunting ground for French maestro Francois Doumen in recent years, with Baracouda landing the spoils in 2002 before Kasbah Bliss provided two victories (2008 and 2009) in its new home at Haydock Park (moved from Kempton in 2006).

No French challengers this year and, indeed, it doesn't seem there are any horses likely to repeat the feat of winning both this and the World Hurdle in the same year last achieved by the aforementioned Baracouda in 2002. That said, trainer Alan King won this race in 2005 with World Hurdle third Crystal d'Ainay and looks set to saddle Bensalem here.

The fact that the trainer toyed with the idea of sending Bensalem back over fences but has entered him here suggests that he could have the Cheltenham contest firmly on his radar, albeit he will have his work cut out against Big Buck's and Grands Crus.

More immediately, though, he faces the challenge of the admirably-consistent Any Given Day, who finished seven-lengths second to Oscar Whisky over a shorter trip last time, despite being off the bridle early on. Donald McCain's grey is certainly genuine and rates a big danger to all here. The best of the rest could be the somewhat-tricky Ashkazar and the infrequently-raced Sentry Duty.

The Grand National trial has gone through a few incarnations in the past but remains a relevant precursor to the main event, even if the winner of the race isn't always the one to follow at Aintree.

Age doesn't seem to be a boundary, with a couple of 7-y-os and a pair of 11-y-os emerging victorious since 2005. Likewise weight isn't a huge hindrance, with two winners carrying top weight of 11-12 in the past eight years, something which last year's winner Silver By Nature has to deal with this time around.

One of those to shoulder that burden was 2008 winner Miko de Beauchene whose year younger brother Nicto de Beuachene attempts to follow in his footsteps and comes into the race on the back of a sixteen-length defeat of Quattrocento at Sandown. Soft ground is his bag and the same comment applies to the diminutive Le Beau Bai, who is usually a solid jumper and isn't without a chance granted his favoured conditions.

Trainer Kim Bailey knows what it takes to win the race, saddling none other than Master Oats to win in 1994, and he is represented by Sarde this time, who comes into the race unbeaten in handicap chases, but they all might have to give way to West End Rocker if he turns up in the same form he was in when victorious last time.

Alan King's 9-y-o has been let down by his jumping in the past but is doing very little wrong at present. What's more, he beat subsequent winners Cornish Sett and the aforementioned Nicto de Beauchene back in December before scoring again last time, so he looks to hold a very strong chance. His stiffest opposition may come from King Fontaine if he can just eliminate the mistakes he can sometimes make early on.

To view the latest odds for Haydock's Grand National Trial click HERE.

Haydock stages one of its flagship jumping days on Saturday, featuring three Grade 2 hurdles as well as the Grand National Trial, in which Silver By Nature bids to repeat last year's success......

The National Hunt season has had more than a stop-start feel to it thus far, with all the abandonments of December rolling into January and then the unfortunate events at Newbury last weekend. Here's hoping that the rearranged meeting at the Berkshire track on Friday and Ascot's big card on Saturday signal the return of the show to the road....

Clonmel has passed a morning inspection and we are hoping for better luck than yesterday with these three selections........

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Haydock Grand National Trial Meeting Preview: Top weight no barrier for Silver By Nature

Tipping / Timeform / 15 February 2011 / Leave a Comment

Silver By Nature bids to follow up last year's Haydock success

"Likewise weight isn't a huge hindrance, with two winners carrying top weight of 11-12 in the past eight years, something which last year's winner Silver By Nature has to deal with this time around."

Haydock stages one of its flagship jumping days on Saturday, featuring three Grade 2 hurdles as well as the Grand National Trial, in which Silver By Nature bids to repeat last year's success...

The Victor Ludorum gets things underway (13:40), when Local Hero aims to continue his progression up the juvenile hurdling ranks. The Steve Gollings-trained gelding may have appeared only workmanlike in victory at Cheltenham last time, but he responded favourably to AP McCoy's urgings and it will be interesting to see if connections of the second-placed Third Intention take him on again after that horse pulled far too hard early on last time. Smad Place is a huge danger but has to put a disappointing run behind him, whilst Alan King also has Dhaafer, Jalail and Kumbeshwar to choose from. Houblon des Obeaux is the other horse to note after an encouraging British debut, when succumbing only to Marsh Warbler in a Grade 1 at Chepstow.

The Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle (14:10), formerly known as the Prestige, was won by the since-unbeaten novice chaser Wymott last year, and his trainer Donald McCain has the improving pair of Lively Baron and Tornado Bob entered at this stage. However, both will have to continue their rapid progress if they are to challenge the strong-travelling Court In Motion, who has already shown form good enough to win an average renewal of this race and is a high-class prospect indeed. Dangers include Mr Moonshine, who is a fluent jumper and is capable of better still, and Rose of The Moon, who was second to Bobs Worth at Cheltenham but needs to put a desperate run last time firmly behind him.

The Rendlesham Hurdle (14:45) has been won by some very good staying hurdlers in its history and has been a happy hunting ground for French maestro Francois Doumen in recent years, with Baracouda landing the spoils in 2002 before Kasbah Bliss provided two victories (2008 and 2009) in its new home at Haydock Park (moved from Kempton in 2006).

No French challengers this year and, indeed, it doesn't seem there are any horses likely to repeat the feat of winning both this and the World Hurdle in the same year last achieved by the aforementioned Baracouda in 2002. That said, trainer Alan King won this race in 2005 with World Hurdle third Crystal d'Ainay and looks set to saddle Bensalem here.

The fact that the trainer toyed with the idea of sending Bensalem back over fences but has entered him here suggests that he could have the Cheltenham contest firmly on his radar, albeit he will have his work cut out against Big Buck's and Grands Crus.

More immediately, though, he faces the challenge of the admirably-consistent Any Given Day, who finished seven-lengths second to Oscar Whisky over a shorter trip last time, despite being off the bridle early on. Donald McCain's grey is certainly genuine and rates a big danger to all here. The best of the rest could be the somewhat-tricky Ashkazar and the infrequently-raced Sentry Duty.

The Grand National trial has gone through a few incarnations in the past but remains a relevant precursor to the main event, even if the winner of the race isn't always the one to follow at Aintree.

Age doesn't seem to be a boundary, with a couple of 7-y-os and a pair of 11-y-os emerging victorious since 2005. Likewise weight isn't a huge hindrance, with two winners carrying top weight of 11-12 in the past eight years, something which last year's winner Silver By Nature has to deal with this time around.

One of those to shoulder that burden was 2008 winner Miko de Beauchene whose year younger brother Nicto de Beuachene attempts to follow in his footsteps and comes into the race on the back of a sixteen-length defeat of Quattrocento at Sandown. Soft ground is his bag and the same comment applies to the diminutive Le Beau Bai, who is usually a solid jumper and isn't without a chance granted his favoured conditions.

Trainer Kim Bailey knows what it takes to win the race, saddling none other than Master Oats to win in 1994, and he is represented by Sarde this time, who comes into the race unbeaten in handicap chases, but they all might have to give way to West End Rocker if he turns up in the same form he was in when victorious last time.

Alan King's 9-y-o has been let down by his jumping in the past but is doing very little wrong at present. What's more, he beat subsequent winners Cornish Sett and the aforementioned Nicto de Beauchene back in December before scoring again last time, so he looks to hold a very strong chance. His stiffest opposition may come from King Fontaine if he can just eliminate the mistakes he can sometimes make early on.

To view the latest odds for Haydock's Grand National Trial click HERE.

Haydock stages one of its flagship jumping days on Saturday, featuring three Grade 2 hurdles as well as the Grand National Trial, in which Silver By Nature bids to repeat last year's success......

The National Hunt season has had more than a stop-start feel to it thus far, with all the abandonments of December rolling into January and then the unfortunate events at Newbury last weekend. Here's hoping that the rearranged meeting at the Berkshire track on Friday and Ascot's big card on Saturday signal the return of the show to the road....

The Cheltenham showpiece; jumps racing's Blue Riband; the Gold Cup: whatever you call it, the feature on the last day of the Cheltenham Festival remains the most prestigious race at the most prestigious jumps meeting in the world. With six weeks to go until the big day, Keith Melrose takes a look at the main contenders....

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Irish Weekend Preview: Stars on show at Hennessy meeting

Timeform Features / Timeform / 04 February 2011 / Leave a Comment

Willie Mullins: Has chances in three of the four Grade 1s at Leopardstown

"The defection of Pandorama means that the result of the Hennessy itself is unlikely to have much of an impact on the current Gold Cup market, but the absence of Noel Meade’s stable star has made this contest much more interesting from a betting point of view. "

The Irish Hennessy meeting at Leopardstown is the last stepping stone before the Cheltenham Festival for many leading ante-post fancies from across the Irish Sea and the four Grade 1 events on the card all promise to be high-class renewals.

The defection of Pandorama means that the result of the Hennessy itself is unlikely to have much of an impact on the current Gold Cup market, but the absence of Noel Meade's stable star has made this contest much more interesting from a betting point of view.

Unexposed British raider Pride of Dulcote is the one that has the potential to shake up the Gold Cup betting the most, with many people seeing Paul Nicholls' progressive second-season chaser as a dark horse for the Blue Riband event in March. However, the form of his narrow win over Punchestowns in a graduation chase at Newbury in December took a knock when that rival disappointed at Cheltenham last weekend and he looks to represent little value at current odds given the amount he needs to find with the likes of Joncol and Money Trix.

Last year's winner Joncol bounced right back to his high-class best when third to Pandorama in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas and he filled the same place in that race last season before getting the better of Cooldine in a tight finish in this corresponding event. Paul Nolan's runners weren't in much form before the turn of the year, and it wouldn't come as a great surprise to see Joncol turn around form with the runner-up Money Trix and follow up last year's win.

The Deloitte Hurdle promises to be the best novice run in Ireland this season and it will feature the return to action of Zaidpour. Prominent in the market for both the Supreme and Neptune Novice hurdles at the Festival, the useful Flat recruit will be looking to regain the winning habit after being turned over at short odds here over Christmas.

Zaidpour may not have been able to maintain his unbeaten record over hurdles, but he did still shape as if the best horse in the race, staying on strongly when eventually asked for maximum effort after the last and beaten only a neck by First Lieutenant. Willie Mullins' representative remains an exciting prospect and should be given another chance to build on the excellent impression he made when running out a facile winner of the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse earlier in the season.

Hidden Universe made up for disappointing in the Champion Bumper at the Festival by going on to win each of his two subsequent starts last season, including a Grade 1 event at Punchestown in April, and made a really encouraging start over hurdles when running out a very easy winner of a maiden at this track over Christmas. The level of form he achieved in bumpers suggests he could prove the biggest threat to Zaidpour.

Willie Mullins is also responsible for the market leader in the DR P .J. Moriarty Novice Chase with Mikael d'Haguenet. Mikael d'Haguenet looked a top-notch prospect over hurdles in 2008/9 before he missed last season through injury, and looked set to beat Jessies Dream before falling at the last in the Drinmore Chase at Fairyhouse in December. He was sent off a hot favourite at Leopardstown next time, but, perhaps understandably given the absence that preceded it, seemed not to be over his Fairyhouse exertions fifteen days previously. He's been given a break since, but still doesn't look a solid betting proposition for the time being, especially at odds-on.

The other that deserves a mention is the Dessie Hughes-trained Magnanimity. Last seen when lowering the colours of Jessies Dream in the Grade 2 Killiney Novice Chase at Leopardstown, Magnanimity benefitted from a sound tactical ride that day and showed a really likeable attitude to repel the challenge of Gordon Elliott's charge close home. Magnanimity remains open to improvement over fences, but this drop back in trip is unlikely to play to his strengths and he will be of more interest

All the betting moves ahead of the evening racing at Wolverhampton...

Timeform look over the weekend's action......

The Irish Hennessy meeting at Leopardstown is the last stepping stone before the Cheltenham Festival for many leading ante-post fancies from across the Irish Sea and the four Grade 1 events on the card all promise to be high-class renewals....

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