Racing tips: Caspian Caviar Gold Cup runners and riders: Your Pinstickers’ guide to Cheltenham’s big race live on ITV
BRELAN D’AS can strike Gold for Paul Nicholls. The champion trainer has a superb record in this race with five wins in the past decade.
He has another big chance here after an excellent second in the BetVictor Gold Cup on the Old Course here last time.
Barry Geraghty’s mount finished well in second and this is a slightly greater test of stamina, which should be right up his street.
The handicapper has been fair with a 5lb rise in the weights.
CEPAGE 3/5
Page turner. Had just one run since finishing an excellent second in this race last year. Put in a good effort at Aintree last month when running on well behind Riders Onthe Storm. Can progress from that but may need to given how much the handicapper has shoved him up. On the shortlist.
KEEPER HILL 2/5
Hill to climb. Back from break and a wind operation to win in a small field at Haydock last time. Open to improvement as chaser but needs to iron out jumping errors. This is a much hotter contest so needs more.
RIDERS ONTHE STORM 4/5
Storm could blow in. Moved from Tom Taaffe to Nigel Twiston-Davies and ran a cracker on debut for his new yard when winning at Aintree last month ahead of Cepage. Has shot up 13lb for that but should improve and slightly longer trip not an issue.
SECRET INVESTOR 3/5
Secret’s out. Been going well in small fields and landed a Grade 2 at Ayr’s Scottish National meeting in April. Promise on comeback in Ireland last time when the ground may have been too testing. More to come and yard loves this race.
LALOR 1/5
Lalor’s a lay. Looked a potential star as a novice but has lost his way including when jumping poorly in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter on comeback. Best form so far has come over shorter and needs to find old spark. Would be nice to see him run well but best watched.
BENATAR 1/5
Big Ben’s not chiming. Was third in the JLT Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in 2018 but has been a little hit and miss since. Was last seen struggling at Ascot in January and entitled to need this comeback.
ROBIN DES FORET 3/5
Robin the money. Regular placer in good Irish races and ran well in a Limerick Grade 3 last time out, although that was back in March. Likes this trip and could be on a fair mark for this belated handicap debut. Willie Mullins runners are never ones to write off.
IMPERIAL PRESENCE 1/5
Imperial ain’t minted. Did well over fences a couple of seasons ago but has been wide of the mark for a while now including on both starts this season at Ascot. Is still higher in the weights than his last win and looks outclassed.
Pinstickers' top tip for the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup
- 1.55 Cheltenham – BRELAN D’AS (Bet now)
SPIRITOFTHEGAMES 2/5
Not playing Games. Has relatively few miles on the clock and hasn’t managed to win since scoring in Listed company on his chase debut last October. Has run some good races including when third in the Stable Plate at the Festival in March. His two runs this season have been poor but it’s too early to write him off.
KNOCKNANAUSS 3/5
Don’t Knock him. Has shown promise in lower grades and was a good third on comeback here in October before hating right-handed Ascot last time when he jumped left throughout the race. He needs to raise his game a little for this level but trip and track suit. Each-way shout at decent odds.
CLONDAW CASTLE 4/5
Clondaw could score. Ran a cracker to finish fourth in the Arkle last season when up with the crazy pace and looked good when second at Ascot on comeback last month. He finished well over the extended two miles so this longer trip could suit. He has more to offer and should run well.
BRELAN D’AS 5/5
D’As you like it. Clocked a big personal best when a close second in the BetVictor Gold Cup last month. The similar trip helped there and he was running on again at the finish. He’s just 5lb higher in the weights for that excellent effort and he’ll be right there again.
GOOD MAN PAT 3/5
Good’s not bad. Looked a nice prospect last season despite struggling in the Close Brothers at the Festival. He finished off with a good run at Sandown and came back to show promise when fourth at Ascot. He stays further than this and should be running on at the finish from what looks a fair mark.
GENEROUS DAY 3/5
Could be his Day. Has been impressive on his past two chase runs with a convincing win at Warwick before a game success at Kempton last time. The handicapper was watching and shoved him up 8lb for that which means he needs more. That’s perfectly possible though and he sees out this trip well enough.
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WARTHOG 3/5
Hog may roast em. Showed a liking for Cheltenham when third in the BetVictor Gold Cup and stayed on well having been up with the pace. Some give in the ground suits and he has plenty of stamina so the more rain the better. Looks weighted for another big run.
NOT THAT FUISSE 3/5
Not out of it. Promising effort over fences when second here in October at novice level but he took a step backwards at Warwick after that. Looks on a fair mark taking his hurdles form into account and this longer distance should hold more fears. Needs to improve but may do.