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T HERE is some superb racing both on the flat and especially over the sticks this weekend. The Gold Cup at Sandown (3.35) takes pride of place and I fancy we will see a huge run from last year’s fifth The Druids Nephew.
He has a chance to take on the first and second again, The Young Master and Just A Par, but on much better terms and he comes here very fresh following just a couple of runs.
The latest was a highly encouraging effort in the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham and he gets the vote over Sugar Baron and stablemate Doing Fine.
The latter hosed up at Cheltenham over three and a half miles last time out and remains unexposed compared to most of his rivals here, while Sugar Baron was well fancied for the Scottish National last Saturday before tipping up at the opening obstacle.
The grade-two Oaksey Chase at 2.25 looks massively open, but back left-handed over this intermediate trip, Josses Hill may be able to return to winning form against the likes of Menorah and Traffic Fluide.
Altior should win the Celebration Chase at 3.00, but he will be long odds on so a better value bet on the card could be Modus in the 4.10 for title chasing Paul Nicholls.
He missed Aintree to be fresh for this and can take the scalp of the progressive Rather Be.
On the flat, Sir Chauvelin can step up on a promising comeback at Musselburgh by stepping up in the Ripon 3.55.
Jim Goldie’s charge wasn’t given too hard a time once his winning chance had gone that day and has the tools to take care of Gavlar.
It’s the final day of the Punchestown Festival and I prefer Bapaume in the Four-Year-Old Champion Hurdle at 4.25 up against the likes of Landofhopeandglory and Mega Fortune, while Modem is the each-way call in the big handicap hurdle at 5.35.
At Wolverhampton, Fleckerl surely won’t have to be on top of his game to land the opener off a very attractive mark at 5.50, but the best bet on the card could well be Deep Challenger at 6.50.
The Jamie Osborne charge won really nicely over course and distance last time out and is a young horse on the up and I shall be surprised if he can’t defy a small 4lbs penalty here up against the hat-trick seeking Believe It and multiple course winner Idol Deputy
