Graham Cunningham / 29 January 2010 Free Bet View Market

"Carruthers looks the pick of the field on the basis that he is a bold jumping improver who lines up on the back of a very impressive trouncing of some useful rivals at Newbury."

12.55

Hardly an opener to quicken the punting pulse and much revolves around how well Pistolet Noir has handled the switch from Nick Williams to Paul Nicholls since his decisive success here before Christmas.

Nicholls hasn't seemed impressed with the homework of his new recruit and Williams would love it - just love it - if he could master his former charge with the progressive George Nympton.

Former useful Flat performer Investissement is worth noting in the market given that Evan Williams throws him in deep for his hurdling debut, but all in all this looks easy enough to swerve.


13:30

Traditionally a hugely informative handicap - subsequent Festival runner-up Ping Pong Sivola beat subsequent Festival winner Tricky Trickster last year - and the fact that Venetia Williams has snared three of the last five renewals makes Plein Pouvoir a fair starting point.

This giant gelding finally came good by bolting up at Wincanton and his bold jumping style gives him clear potential for the back-to-lay massive. However, Plein Pouvoir hasn't always found a great deal when things get tough and could be vulnerable up the hill having been hiked 8lb.

Sandown and Newbury scorer Doctor Pat plainly warrants respect and will doubtless be played late again, but Hey Big Spender appeals as the win and place value on the back of a fine Newbury win and a willing second to the smart Inchidaily Rock here in December.

Colin Tizzard's gelding jumps boldly and could be underestimated in the market because of his big weight. By contrast, I'm far less keen on Five Dream, who turned in an untidy round at Fakenham and offers place lay potential in a race with considerably more depth here.


14:05

A smart handicap, though one which makes limited appeal from a betting viewpoint. The Sawyer outgalloped Akilak in last year's renewal and looked better than ever with a gutsy Ascot win, while Rory Boy has done well in novice company and last year's sixth Pablo Du Charmil goes well here and comes from a yard in great nick.

Oscar Bay has bags of ability but can be a law unto himself, while Irish raider Perce Rock should be spot on after a spin over hurdles.

However, if you twisted my arm I might venture a back-to-lay strategy with Mister McGoldrick as the value call. Sue Smith's veteran showed the fire in his belly still burns bright by going clear in a similar event here four weeks ago and might just get his younger rivals off the bridle again down the hill if similar tactics are employed.


14:35

Point one is that none of these so-called Gold Cup hopefuls are rated within 20lb of Kauto Star. And point two is that Carruthers looks the pick of them on the basis that he is a bold jumping improver who lines up on the back of a very impressive trouncing of some useful rivals at Newbury.

Critics will argue that he finished very weary on his sole chasing run here in the RSA Chase last year, but he was asked a massive question in setting a fierce pace that day. He's no one dimensional front runner - which is just as well with Ollie Magern and last year's winner Joe Lively in the field - and provided he doesn't get drawn into a slugfest too early for his own good then a bold run looks assured.

Madison Du Berlais is the clear pick on official figures but is 0-6 at Cheltenham and vulnerable to improvers here despite a good effort in the King George, while the diminutive Inchidaily Rock came well clear of Hey Big Spender here in December but has much more on his plate this time and will do well to land a prize like this on just his third chasing start.


15:10

An absorbing contest featuring one with solid handicap form, an unknown quantity with abundant potential and a potential live one from an unfashionable yard.

Royal Charm is the upgraded handicapper and looks well up to the task after powering clear in thick fog off an official mark of 137 at Exeter.

The unexposed General Miller left a strong impression with the way he gradually mastered the useful Ghizao here before Christmas, while Restless Harry is doing Robin Dickin's small team proud and holds a clear form chance judged on the way he battled home to split the smart Reve de Sivola and Finian's Rainbow in the Challow Hurdle at Newbury.

Paddock clues will be valuable, but there has to be a chance that the market will slant heavily in favour of the Nicholls and Henderson pair. And if that's the case then Restless Harry could represent the value angle both in terms of the outright win market and as a possible back-to-lay contender.

15:40

This looked pretty straightforward until Karabak was surprisingly withdrawn. His absence leaves a wide open contest with pros and cons about all the main contenders, but here goes.

Lie Forrit has improved massively and handles Cheltenham well, but this is his toughest task yet and his rider can't claim his 3lb allowance. The gallant Fair Along finished third last year and will give his all on the pace again. Much the same applies to Lough Derg, while former champion Katchit is tricky to assess on his first attempt at three miles but will probably find a couple too good again.

Indeed, this looks a very complex puzzle whichever way you slice it, but I'll take Mr Thriller, Time For Rupert and Tidal Bay in that order.

Mr Thriller flopped in a three-runner race here last time but had looked highly progressive beforehand when bolting clear of Golan Way in a valuable Chepstow handicap and rallying bravely to pip Starluck at Haydock. This longer trip looks a plus point and his stable have hit form with a vengeance this week.

Time For Rupert is well worth the step up in class after a gritty handicap success off a mark off a mark of 145 here. He's a smashing looker with scope to progress again, while Tidal Bay has been frustrating by any standards since his runaway Arkle win here two years ago but might just outrun his long odds if in the mood on his return to hurdling.