TimeformBlog

Timeform share their perspective entries on the Haldon Gold Cup...


This probably didn't take quite so much winning as seemed likely beforehand, with several clearly not giving their running and fitness a factor for others, for all that the first three were among the six reappearing. Not for the first time in this race, the leaders went off too fast, which simply increased the emphasis on fitness as well as stamina.

TCHICO POLOS made a good start to his first season out of novice company, showing a little improvement from 5 lb out of the handicap. His stamina and fitness (looked sharper than the others reappearing) gained the day after he'd looked no better than fourth best four out. He was all out at the line and will most likely have to improve again to follow up, though a return to further will help.

TWIST MAGIC has finished fourth, third and now second in successive runnings of this race. He showed that he retains all of his ability, and his finishing effort (rallied two out) couldn't be faulted. He was tricky at the start (trainer's assistant fined for hitting him to get him to set off), though, and, as he'd refused to race on his penultimate start last season, that has to be a major concern as he bids for a third win in the Tingle Creek at Sandown next month.

SOMERSBY, one of the most likely of last season's leading novices to make the transition to open company successfully, needed the run on his return and shaped well in the circumstances. His jumping became somewhat ragged as he tired, but he travelled really well for the most part. He is sure to be a lot more competitive next time, even if kept to 2m, with the Tingle Creek said to be under consideration (likely to be better suited by return to further).

I'MSINGINGTHEBLUES probably had too much use made of him under the conditions and tied up in the straight after looking likely to take the beating four out, below form in the end but in better heart than that indicates.

THE SAWYER (7 lb out of the handicap) was likely to find this an inadequate test of stamina (raced at 2½m+ previously over fences), and although he was ridden to try and compensate for that by going off hard in front, he was outpaced after halfway and just plugged on in the straight. He developed into a smart chaser last season once paired with his rider here, and his next run will be a better guide as to how competitive he will be this time round.

CORNAS had finished a good second in this race last season and was well backed. He had the benefit of a run behind him, but wasn't near his best, looking laboured after a mistake at the fifth and reportedly returning lame.

HERECOMESTHETRUTH, who had left Paul Nicholls, was still disputing the running when he ducked out at the eighth. It's not the first time he has done that, which obviously suggests he's one to be wary of, for all that he had gone with zest until then. He'd been largely progressive over fences prior to two starts within a week in February, while this trip ought to have been on the short side for him (effective at 2½m to 3m).

MAHOGANY BLAZE blundered and unseated his rider at the fourth, his third fall or unseat in his last four starts. He's a smart chaser when everything goes his way, though his losing run (mostly at this sort of level) is now a lengthy one and must temper enthusiasm for his prospects.

CHANINBAR (on toes beforehand), was very reluctant to set off having been egged on at the start by his former stable companion Twist Magic , his rider accepting the cause was hopeless five out. Notwithstanding his good record of late, he has to be treated with some caution (has previous with regard to such reluctance.

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