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Talking Horses: Rather Be can lift BetVictor Gold Cup for Henderson

Josies Orders on his way to winning the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham on Friday.
Josies Orders on his way to winning the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham on Friday.Photograph: Steve Davies/racingfotos.com/Rex/Shutterstock

The first major race of the new jumps season can fall to champion trainer Nicky Henderson, who has not won the BetVictor Gold Cup at Cheltenham since Fondmort landed him the prize in 2003. The Lambourn handler has a fine chance with Rather Be (2.25) and, while the betting market is well aware of this horse’s ability, odds of 5-1 remain acceptable, with the possibility that he may edge out a bit as punters look for value elsewhere.

Impressive in his novice chase season, apart from one abortive contest at Plumpton, Rather Be was beaten narrowly by Mister Whitaker at the Cheltenham Festival in March but is 9lb better off this time. Perhaps more importantly, he gets to race here on a surface much more to his liking. It was officially “good” at Aintree 19 months ago when he beat a big field in a handicap hurdle during the Grand National meeting and he looks to be better over fences so far.

Mister Whitaker will surely go well again, while Baron Alco has an obvious form chance. However, the latter’s trainer, Gary Moore, is fretful about the ground possibly being too quick for a horse who missed so much time through injury over the last 18 months.

1.50 Cheltenham Lightly raced for his age, the Nicky Richards-trained Looking Well has brushed up against a couple of big moments in the past without proving quite able to seal the deal but this could be his moment. A staying-on second to Ziga Boy in last year’s Great Yorkshire Chase at Doncaster, he was surely on his way to winning the Edinburgh National at Musselburgh in February until swerving on the run to the last and unseating his claiming jockey. He was fresh for both those races, so this could be the time to catch him, with the no-nonsense Brian Hughes in the saddle. Sharp Response is another Northern raider with a big shout.

2.45 Lingfield Addeybb would be comfortably the best of these on turf but his ability to handle this surface must be taken on trust as he races on an all-weather surface for the first time. His odds are likely to be too short to allow for the risk that he won’t be as good on it, and it is also off-putting that he had a hard race last time and ended up running below form. Cases can be made for many of the others but Master The World appeals most, bearing in mind the success he enjoyed last winter, including when winning this race at odds of 10-1.

3.00 Cheltenham On just his fifth run over hurdles, First Assignment was heroically brave when getting up on the line to land a gamble against 19 rivals here last month. A 5lb rise is by no means crippling, especially with the extra three furlongs to help him here.

3.15 Lingfield The other Listed race on this card may also fall to last year’s winner, as Gifted Master has a lot in his favour as he comes back from a break. The Stewards’ Cup winner is well suited by the terms of this race. He is drawn wide but was wider when scoring here a year ago.

3.30 Cheltenham If First Assignment fares well half an hour earlier, that would be a pointer to Christmas In April, who was third behind him here last month. The six-year-old was having his first run for Colin Tizzard and would be a danger to all if he can build on that first outing since May.

 

Lingfield11.55 Lord Murphy 12.25 New King 1.00 Humanitarian
1.35 First Selection 2.10 Poetic Principle 2.45 Master The World
3.15 Gifted Master 3.45 Zarrar
Uttoxeter 12.15 Passing Dream 12.50 Beakstown 1.25 One Of Us
2.00 Tokay Dokey 2.35 Midnight Tune 3.05 Methag 3.40 North Star Oscar
Wetherby 12.30 Skidoosh 1.05 Miles To Milan 1.40 Apterix
2.15 Cracking Find 2.50 Kajaki 3.20 Raven's Tower 3.50 Ravenhill Road
Cheltenham 12.40 Montestrel 1.15 The Worlds End 1.50 Looking Well (nb) 2.25 Rather Be (nap) 3.00 First Assignment 3.30 Christmas In April 4.00 Royal Illusion
Wolverhampton 5.15 Jem Scuttle 5.45 So Hi Storm 6.15 King Of Change 6.45 Blowing Dixie 7.15 Swift Rose 7.45 Star Of Bengal
8.15 Hollander 8.45 Whatwouldyouknow