Sire De Grugy and Unioniste kept out heads above water last weekend with impressive victories. The former is unfortunate to be racing in the same era as Sprinter Sacre but it was nice to get his chance of Grade 1 glory on Saturday. I was also impressed with Unioniste who confirmed himself as a stayer of some potential at Aintree.
Paul Nicholls had five big winners across the card and it will be interesting to see how he shuffles his chasing pack. I’d love to have seen Hennessy Gold Cup runner-up Rocky Creek go for the Welsh National but the trainer has indicated that the Lexus Chase is his Christmas target.
This weekend it is the The December Gold Cup at Cheltenham. Its official sponsored title is simply bizarre so I’m not even going to mention it! Anyway, the race looks set to revolve around the form of the Paddy Power Gold Cup over course and distance last month.
Johns Spirit came out on top on that occasion for Jonjo O’Neill, beating Colour Squadron by three-quarters of a length with Attadale fourth and Easter Meteor falling two out. The general consensus was that Colour Squadron would have won but for being hampered when Easter Meteor crashed out at the second last. It is true that he had to do a pretty nimble side-step and made up a lot of ground from the last, but I’m not convinced that it is as simple as that.
Johns Spirit seems to travel easily in his races and then pull himself up in front. He did the same at the last meeting and he was in front a long way out in the Paddy Power. I was impressed with Easter Meteor and he again ran well when chasing home Cantlow at Newbury last time. It’s impossible to say where he may have finished had he stood up at Cheltenham but the handicapper hasn’t exactly ignored him, putting him up 8lbs for two defeats.
The gamble of the race is Grandioso who caught the eye when third in Cantlow’s race. Nicholls has made no secret of the fact that a lot of his runners have needed their first outing and expects this one to improve considerably. That would certainly give him a chance but he doesn’t offer great value at 7-1 having been more than twice that at the start of the week.
I find it hard to look beyond the Paddy Power form and recommend splitting stakes between Johns Spirit and Colour Squadron.
Colour Squadron 6-1 Bet365
Johns Spirit 13-2 888Sport
Betfair:
Bet on Henrik Stenson to become the BMW PGA Championship Winner.
Paddypower:
Back Australia to take the Ashes home with them.
Betway:
Back Rafael Nadal to become the Mens French Open Winner.
Coral:
Back One For Arthur to win the Grand National.
Bet365:
Back Mexico to win the Confederations Cup.
