TimeformBlog

Timeform look ahead to a weekend that features valuable handicaps over fences and hurdles at jumping's HQ...


The Paddy Power Gold Cup (14:35) at Cheltenham is one of the early NH season's top handicap prizes, and this year's renewal certainly has a typically competitive look to it. Long Run is currently the favourite at 4.2 as he seeks to add to the fine record of top second-season chasers in the race, though he'll face stiff competition from the likes of his stablemate Mad Max (10.0) and Timeform top-rated Great Endeavour (5.7). There is plenty of quality right through the card at Cheltenham, starting with the Grade 2 Triumph Hurdle Trial (12:50) and taking in the Grade 3 Morson Group Gold Cup Handicap Chase (13:55).

Saturday's other cards in Britain and Ireland take place over jumps at Punchestown, Uttoxeter and Wetherby and on the all-weather at Lingfield and Wolverhampton, while over in France there is British and Irish interest in the mile-and-a-quarter Criterium de Saint-Cloud (13:05) for two-year-olds, the final Group 1 of the Flat season in Europe.

Sunday is Greatwood Hurdle (14:20) day at Cheltenham and this year's renewal of the main event looks extremely competitive, the field of eighteen including the one-two from last year's Supreme Novices' Hurdle in Menorah and Get Me Out of Here, Aintree winner General Miller, and the Fred Winter victor Sanctuaire. It is the last-named who is currently favourite for the race at 6.8, just ahead of the Alan King-trained Manyriverstocross. The card at Prestbury Park opens with the Grade 2 November Novices' Chase (13:10) which features a some leading Arkle contenders in Loosen My Load and Captain Chris, while there is also Grade 2 action for novice hurdles later on in the day in the shape of the Hyde Novices' Hurdle (15:30).

Elsewhere on Sunday, there is jumping at Cork, Fontwell, Market Rasen and Punchestown, the last-named track hosting the first Grade 1 two-mile hurdle of the year, the Morgiana (14:15), which has attracted a small but select field in which the standard is set by last year's winner Solwhit. There is also good novice chase action on the card, namely the Grade 2 Craddockstown over two miles and the Grade 3 Florida Pearl over two-and-three-quarter miles.

Dual Oaks winner Snow Fairy is also in action on Sunday in Japan, but it'll be an early morning for those who wish to see it as she runs in the Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Cup at Kyoto (06:40).


(read more at betting.betfair.com)