Taranis Cut for Gold Cup after Argento Chase win

On a day when past Festival winners reminded us of how good they once were, Paul Nicholls’ second string Taranis made light of a 766-day absence to spring a 16/1 shock.

He was winning his first start since breaking down in the 2007 King George and the 2006 Ryanair Chase winner further strengthened the Champion trainer’s hand for the Gold Cup.

Matt Doyle, the Sky Bet horse racing betting spokesman, said:

‘Denman’s absence may have made it a far from vintage renewal, but Taranis has highlighted the Champion trainer’s firepower behind the front two in the Gold Cup market.’

Tidal Bay was another previous Festival winner to roll back the years earning a 10/1 quote (from 25s) for the World Hurdle after proving his ability to stay the trip with victory in the Cleeve Hurdle.

The 2008 Arkle winner, who has a formidable strike rate at the track, was returning to hurdles after a lengthy barren spell over fences and powered up the hill to gallop into third favouritism with Sky Bet for the stayers’ hurdling crown.

Among the other performances to note on Cheltenham Trials Day, Restless Harry was given a 6/1 first show quote for the Albert Bartlett when striking a blow for Robin Dickin’s small stable by winning the Grade 2 Novices’ Hurdle.

Although he is likely to step up in trip for his Festival target, his Newbury conqueror Reve de Sivola had his odds trimmed into 10/1 from 14s for the Neptune Investments Novices’ Hurdle.