Saturday 12th

Cheltenham 2.25

Result: - Right there until stumbled badly after the last and was lucky not to unship rider.
Chapoturgeon Lost -2 Points

The Boylesports.com Gold Cup
With the Paddy Power Gold Cup winner Tranquil Sea taken out of the race by Edward O'Grady (who incidentally is 6/1 for the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown) leaving the door open for another novice to come and show his wares in the form of Poquelin. The Paul Nicholls trained 6yo was noted staying on strongly up the Cheltenham hill in the Paddy Power Gold Cup behind the aforementioned Tranquil Sea and looked as if he would improve further for that run. Edward O'Grady is still represented by Sky's The Limit sporting a visor again but he looks up against it.
With the Nicholls stable taking all the big prizes on offer over the last couple of Saturdays this big pot again looks within their grasp. Timmy Murphy rides Chapoturgeon (7/1 Betfair) for his boss David Johnson and he is the horse that looks to have most to prove in order to get his reputation back on track. He is held in very high regard at the Nicholls yard and his trainer thinks he may be a "Ryanair Chase contender come the Spring" . He fell in the Paddy Power Gold Cup without showing his hand but has to be a big danger to all if putting in a clear round here. There is another powerful team assembled from the Divid Pipe yard with Our Vic and Tamarinbleu and they have the look, if my ratings can be believed, of a team desperate to win this.

Stakes: - 2 Points win Chapoturgeon