Paddy Power : Noble Alan

I'm convinced this horse will win a big race soon. I'm willing to follow him until he does!

shakespeare ....you won't be on your own worrying about your horse jumping ok ....i think out of the 51 p power entries there are 20 that have either fallen or unseated at least once in  their last 5 races . some near the head of the market .

Ground is a huge factor for this one..if it rains much between now and next week his chance diminishes and I doubt they will run him on soft. If its good then agree he has a great chance but I'd be worried about going in for him now...really not sure how his jockey came off him last time

Would have given poquelin something to think about last December but for being unsighted and falling 3 out. He was hampered before that by great endeavour at the top of the hill(so well was he going). Good to soft fine for this horse, he's no 20-1 shot granted these conditions.

TRAINER Nicky Richards is hoping for a change of fortune for  Noble Alan who is set to run in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham next Saturday.



Last season the eight-year-old fell when in contention in a Grade 3 at the track in December as well as unseating at Market Rasen on his last start when holding every chance.

Richards said: "We were thinking of running Noble Alan at Kelso on Saturday but we have decided to wait until the Paddy Power Gold Cup with him. 

"He was pretty unlucky at Market Rasen but jumping is the name of the game. It was also unfortunate that he fell in the December Gold Cup at Cheltenham last season because the race was just starting to warm up and he was running well - it looked like it was going to be interesting.   

"He is in good form and I am very happy with him at the moment. It looks like the going is pretty quick at Cheltenham and it will suit him down to the ground if it stays like that."

Will they water to provide good to soft, same as they do for the Festival?

From Twitter today ground is currently good/good to firm in places. Heavy rain expected later but if it does not materialise they may water.

He was running well in the '****' before tipping up and ran well (poised to win) last time out.

this last run is ideal for layers of this horse as it ensures planty of takers.....i've lost count of how many times this horse catches the eye in-running before it either came to grief or didn't find as much as looked likely.

Thanks guys for the views....just watched the race in December and he looked to be just getting going when he fell (although you could argue it was because the race quickened he fell) but he certainly was going as well as any at that point, so in my humble opinion the price at 20s is far too big.
Also as a side, i think Calgary Bay is a danger....likes cheltenham and stable have knocked out a big winner recently.

i've backed him. Undenyingly well handicapped and his jumping last time out was actually pretty good, he just pitched on landing which can happen to any horse. Well worth a smash at 20/1.