bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase

Grangeclare West

Top-class chaser who took second behind Galopin Des Champs in the Irish Gold Cup in February and underlined that stamina is a strongpoint when three lengths third to Nick Rockett in the Grand National at Aintree last time, staying on after a bad mistake at the last. Arguably unlucky not to win that day, and a major player if turning up here after three weeks off.

Minella Cocooner

No further success since winning this race off 4 lb lower in 2023/24 but has slowly come to the boil since leaving Grade 1 company behind, most notably with a creditable 12¾ lengths seventh to Nick Rockett in the Grand National last time (where his saddle slipped early). Big chance once again.

Threeunderthrufive

At least as good as ever when a nose second to Victtorino in the Swinley Handicap Chase (won the race in 2024) at Ascot in February but needs to bounce back after being pulled up in the Grand National last time (taken very wide throughout). Front runner who should give a good account.

Dancing City

Won the Sefton Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree and War of Attrition Novices’ Hurdle at Punchestown (by ½ length from High Class Hero) last season and has shown similar form over fences this term, including landing a Grade 3 novice at Naas (by 3½ lengths from Bioluminescence) in January. Had made smooth headway before falling at the 14th in the Mildmay Novices’ Chase won by Caldwell Potter at Aintree last time. Shapes as if he will stay.

High Class Hero

Confirmed the promise of his chasing debut when winning his maiden at Punchestown (by 2¾ lengths from Loughglynn) in February and shaped as if needing a stiffer test when ¾-length second to Common Practice in a Grade 3 novice at Thurles last time. Will be suited by a return to 3m+ and remains with potential as a chaser, especially in handicaps.

Victtorino

Won the Silver Cup at Ascot (for the second successive year) in December and Swinley Handicap Chase there (by a nose from Threeunderthrufive) in February. Ran poorly last time at Cheltenham and not always a fluent jumper of fences, but the return to a right-handed track is in his favour and doesn’t look handicapped out of things just yet.

Monbeg Genius

Smart handicap chaser who won on desperate ground at Uttoxeter (by 5 lengths from Richmond Lake) in February but was pulled up in the Grand National at Aintree last time. Stays well but yet to win going right-handed and his mark looks high enough now.

Lombron

Unexposed sort who chased home subsequent Cheltenham hero Lecky Watson on chasing debut and then asserted well when beating Western Fold at Clonmel last time. Plenty of guesswork involved in assessing his handicap mark but looks the type who will improve further for a test of stamina.

Olympic Man

Defied jumping mishap when landing his maiden at Naas (by 1½ lengths from Foxy Girl who has been beaten since) in March but shaped like a non-stayer in the Scottish Grand National at Ayr last time (again made mistakes). This shorter trip could suit but has something to prove now.

Resplendent Glory

Won novice handicap at Uttoxeter (by 5½ lengths from Hoe Joly Smoke who has won since) in October and was runner-up on his next two starts before his 11 lengths fourth to Haiti Couleurs in the National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices’ Handicap at Cheltenham last time, running on late having been labouring in last after four out. Not a totally fluent jumper.

O’Moore Park

Very lightly raced for his age and followed his fine third behind subsequent Grade 1 winner Caldwell Potter in the Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase at Cheltenham with a similarly strong ¾-length second to Riskintheground in the Silver Trophy Chase (Limited Handicap) back there last time. Stamina question marks but looks on the up.

Goshen

Proved he retains ability when 8¾ lengths third to Red Dirt Road in a premier handicap hurdle here in February and has matched that level over fences, most recently when ¾-length third to Hoe Joly Smoke over fences here last time, despite going in snatches. Best treated with a degree of caution, however.

Spanish Harlem

Useful maiden (over fences) who produced a good effort when 8¼ lengths sixth to Macdermott in the Scottish Grand National in 2023/24. Carried out at the fifteenth in the latest renewal of the same event won by Captain Cody last time. Thorough stayer who commands respect granted more luck.

Collectors Item

Tall gelding who won at Uttoxeter in May and Wincanton (by 3 lengths from subsequent winner Katate Dori) in January. Below expectations when pulled up in the Eider Chase at Newcastle last time, but capable of bouncing back with a good effort having run well in the London National over C&D back in December. Each-way contender.

Chosen Witness

Produced best effort over fences when 12½ lengths third to Champ Kiely at Fairyhouse in January but was pulled up in the Scottish Grand National last time, weakening quickly after a mistake four out. Remains capable of better as a chaser (was well-backed early in the week for that race) and considered if turning out quickly here.

King’s Threshold

Progressive, scopey sort who won at Huntingdon in January and Warwick (by 5 lengths from Demnat) in February and was better than ever when completing a hat-trick at Newbury last time by 5 lengths from Rivers Corner, leading before two out before idling near the finish. Lijke many, his chance would be increased if Grangeclare West doesn’t run (well out of the weights as things stand).

Transmission

Given a fine waiting ride when winning handicap at Cheltenham (amateurs) in November and matched that when 2¾ lengths second to Haiti Couleurs in novice handicap there in December. Ran well under circumstances when 11¼ lengths fifth to the same rival in the National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices’ Handicap at the same track last time. Solid claims.

Klarc Kent

Still a maiden over fences but couldn’t have done anymore when a length second to stablemate Captain Cody in the Scottish Grand National at Ayr last time, never far from the pace. Chance likely rests on how far out of the weights he is this time.

Hoe Joly Smoke

Won 3m handicap here (by 4¼ lengths from Passing Well) in December and bounced back from a below-par effort at Newbury when back to winning ways here last time, scoring by a neck from Java Point. Travels strongly, but can finish weakly, so this longer trip isn’t guaranteed to suit.

Knockanore

Won a handicap at Uttoxeter in December and the Eider (Handicap Chase) at Newcastle (by 16 lengths from O’Connell) in February, but ran below expectations – sent off at 4/1 – when only 32¾ lengths sixth to Mr Vango in the Midlands Grand National at the former course last time, going with little fluency. Could bounce back.

Verdict

I had my fingers burnt when nominating High Class Hero for the Scottish Grand National at this stage a few weeks ago. He’s clearly still of interest, but this race will have likely been part of the programme for stablemate MINELLA COCOONER since he won it 12 months ago. He performed with credit when seventh in the Grand National last time out and is only 4 lb higher than when winning this last season; he can carry his big weight to victory once more.

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