Le Prezien can land Gold Cup success for Paul Nicholls
Published:
French-bred raider gets the nod
There’s racing from Cheltenham and Lingfield this Saturday as both the jumps season and All-Weather Championships get into full-swing.
In what promises to be an action-packed six-race card on ITV, it’s the Gold Cup from Cheltenham that should prove the highlight.
Thought not quite as prestigious as its March equivalent, Saturday’s renewal will see 18 runners go to post as they attempt to win the Grade 3 contest.
As per every Saturday, the Coral News Team are on hand to guide you through the all-important action.
Bet of the Day
The Gold Cup is the race of the day and as such it gets bet of the day status. There’s no runaway favourite, although Kylemore Lough is expected to go off as the jolly.
However, it’s Paul Nicholls’ Le Prezien that gets the nod from the Coral News Team. He narrowly lost out to Foxtail Hill at Cheltenham last month in what was his seasonal reappearance.
But a more fluid display of jumping this time around should see him land a first Graded success since November of last year. Nicholls has won this race twice in the last five years and will fancy his chances again with a horse who usually runs well around this track.
If he can build on his last run from three weeks ago, then he has every chance. Even on each-way terms, he represents solid value and as such is Coral’s Bet of the Day.
Dell’ Arca primed to upset the odds
Thomas Campbell is the favourite for the Regulatory Finance Solutions Handicap Hurdle at 3.00. But there’s value to be had elsewhere. Dell’ Arca, in particular, is expected to run a big race for trainer David Pipe.
The eight-year-old finished just over 5l behind Saturday’s favourite when fourth three weeks ago around Cheltenham. But he bounced back from that defeat with an impressive showing to land a Class 2 contest at Newbury earlier this month.
He’s taken to follow up that run with another good showing on Saturday in Listed company.
Spring Loaded to continue Lingfield love affair
For whatever reason, some horses just feel at home on a particular track. For Spring Loaded, that track is Lingfield. The Paul D’Arcy trained runner is two from two over course and distance and will relish a return to the all-weather.
That’s not to say his form on the turf hasn’t been good, though, with victory in the William Portland Handicap at Doncaster in September proving the highlight of a solid if unspectacular season.
Opponents Magical Memory and Gifted Master both lack the form, the draw and the all-weather experience that Spring Loaded has under his belt. And for that reason, it’s the five-year-old who gets the nod over 6f.
1:50 Cheltenham – Minella Rocco
2:25 Cheltenham – Le Prezien
2:45 Lingfield – Boynton
3:00 Cheltenham – Dell’ Arca
3:15 Lingfield – Spring Loaded
3:30 Doncaster – Diable De Sivola
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
