Gold Cup: Notre Pere to Travel?

I would be amazed now if Notre Pere travelled over after a disappointing run in the Bobbyjo Chase which he should have won comfortably on official figures but he didn’t jump well and looked booked for only third when finally getting rid of Andrew Lynch at the final fence.

Paul Nicholls once again reiterated he will run five horses in the race, in other words meaning that What A Friend is not an intended runner as Tricky Trickster, Taranis and My Will are confirmed as joining Kauto Star and Denman.

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Regards Denman, paddock judge Ken Pitterson told me he just wasn’t fit at Newbury which explains why he couldn’t shake off Niche Market and led to his early tiring which led to those two mistakes.

It appears likely he will wear some kind of concentration aid whether it be a noseband, blinkers or cheekpieces and I thought it was interesting the “lairy” label came out again as that was how Walsh described him before he was beaten in what is now the ‘Neptune’.

Two more unlikely to run are Money Trix after Nicky Richards ruled him out and David Pipe seemed cold on running Madison Du Berlais favouring keeping him to flat tracks with the Racing Post Chase on Saturday followed by Aintree swerving Cheltenham altogether which seems sensible given his appalling record at the track.

In other news, Paul Townend has been confirmed as Cooldine’s jockey and he has won on him over fences before last season at Thurles.