Most commonly known as the December Gold Cup, the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup is the highlight race this weekend. It is run over a distance of 2m 5f’s and in total horses must jump 17 fences around the new course at Cheltenham. 15 horses are set to go to post and with the likes of Anacotty (Paddy Power Gold Cup Chase winner) Buywise (second that day) and Sound Investment (third that day) it is going to be quite a race to watch. We take a look at some of the main horses and riders below:
Anacotty – (rating – 152) current best price 8-1.
There is no other place to start other than Anacotty. He comes here after winning the Paddy Power Gold Cup and clearly arrives in top form. For that win he has only been raised 5lb which isn’t a lot in general terms so he has every right to be bang there at the finish here today. Alan King’s yard is in flying form and Ian Popham retains the ride after victory on board last time out. The ground is similar to last time (good to soft is predicted) and the trip is exactly the same bar a few yards so there is no particular reason why this horse shouldn’t give owners and connections a good run for their money however my members know that I rarely back last time out winners and for me the same applies here. 5lb may not seem much but it is usually enough to see tables turned and for me the extra weight will see the form lines with Sound Investment, Buywise and Irish Cavalier all reversed.
Buywise – (rating – 152) current best price 7-1.
Buywise is a horse that frustrates me. He was beaten just 1/2l last time out in the Paddy Power Gold Cup Chase and you can’t help but feel that if he were ridden just a bit closer to the pace he would have won however when he has been ridden closer to the pace he always to seem to throw a stinker. One thing is for sure though and that is that this horse is in top form and he comes here off just a 2lb higher mark. He will love the soft conditions and were it to go any softer then I would fully expect this horse to win.
Champagne West – (rating – 150) current best price 7-1.
Champagne West is the unexposed horse at the head of the market. He didn’t run in the Paddy Power Gold Cup and he hasn’t run since falling this year in January. He comes here of a lengthy absence which is always a concern however for me on form he is a class act and I think by the way he was travelling that day in January he would have won. He has been dropped 2lb since that race and if he returns here in any similar sort of form he will be right there at the finish. A horse I am definitely interested in watching perform however he is too risky a proposition to get involved in.
Sound Investment – (rating – 162) current best price 10-1.
Sound Investment is a top horse there is no doubting that and Nichols yard is in flying form as per usual, his chance as it were is obvious however he has to shoulder top weight and for a horse to win the December Gold Cup of top weight he must be something special. Sound Investment is good but he isn’t that good I’m afraid and for me I won’t be getting involved until he has dropped in the weights.
Irish Cavalier – (rating – 156) current best price 7-1.
For me Irish Cavalier is the stand out horse in this line up. Yes okay he was beaten 6l/5l respectably by the Anacotty, Buywise and Sound Investment however he travelled supremely well and perhaps hit the front too early on. The sticky surface found him out stamina wise however he has been left on the same mark for that run and comes here with a 3lb pull at the weights with both Sound Investment and Buywise and also has a 5lb pull with Anacotty. If his effort can be timed better he is in with a great chance of making it 2 wins from three starts this season.
Other notable runners include Village Vic who comes here chasing a three timer with Richard Johnson on board, while the likes of Art Mauresque and Johns Spirit are in with an each way shout too at bigger prices while the two Irish Raiders: Mozoltov for Willie Mullins and Texax Jack for Noel Meade are interesting if the money arrives for them.
How we bet – Buywise (0.5pts E/W) Irish Cavalier (0.5pts E/W)
I think the bookmakers are being extremely kind allowing the head of the market to be started at odds of 7-1 and with that in mind both Buywise and Irish Cavalier are my selections. They both come here in good form and at similar odds look nice prospects for both win and each way purposes.
This preview was provided by DG Tips – one of our tipsters from our sister website Tipsters Empire. DG Tips currently lies well over 40 points in profit for December alone! He has a FREE 7 day trial you can subscribe to at their website.