Greatwood Gold Cup
Saturday’s big race comes from Newbury with the Greatwood Gold Cup head lining the card. Our Vic looks to turn back the clock by winning another big handicap at the tender age of twelve. Not only is time against David Pipes horse but the trip and ground will make it very difficult for the son of Old Vic to get competitive. A field of nine go to post with question marks hanging over the majority of them. Hopefully we can get the winner by marking the losers off first.
Rule out the Venetia Williams trained Stan, hugely out of form. Our Vic is next, has a number of elements against him and should set the race up for something else. Regal Heights is badly handicapped and out of form, so no chance. Au Courant has clearly had his training problems and is inclined to put in the odd howler of a jump, therefore not for me. Battlecry is running over an inadequate trip and won’t get his own way up front with Our Vic in the line up.
The winner should could from the remainder, Panjo Bere, Can’t Buy Time, Big Fella Thanks and Pasco, but even the majority of these have questions to answer. Ruby usually doesn’t get it wrong when given the pick of Paul Nicholls’ horses but I’m not so sure this time. He’s gone for the former Swiss flat horse, Pasco, who hasn’t cut much ice this year. I don’t think he’s well handicapped either. Barry Geraghty picks up the ride on Big Fella Thanks. He was third to Nacarat in the Racing Post Chase last year and that’s some of the best form on offer here. However, today’s trip will be on the sharp side for this Grand National hopeful but the race should be run to suit and I’d prefer him of the Nicholls pair.
I don’t think there’ll be much between Panjo Bere and Can’t Buy Time but I’m confident Tony McCoy’s horse will win this race. The race should be run to suit and McCoy will sit out the back and pick them up late in the straight. He looks to be a real improver and hopefully the drop in trip won’t find him out. A confident selection.
