3m2f Coral Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+)
Myretown was a devastating winner of the Ultima Handicap at Cheltenham in March and he could still improve hugely on his current mark. But its going to be a tall order to defy a 15lbs rise first time against race-fit chasers here and maybe he will set this up for some a few other stayers here.
Two that have some pretty high class form that have both failed to feature in many handicap chases are the Irish trained pair of BLIZZARD OF OZ and GORGEOUS TOM.
Willie Mullins is always dangerous in these handicpad and whilst Blizzard Of Oz carries an already quite lofty mark of 158, he has only had five chase starts to date and is yet to race over three miles. There is an argument to say that Blizzard Of Oz should have a better strike rate by now, but I think he has been racing over the wrong distance and is therefore massively unexposed at this trip. He could still have 10lbs in hand as one of his chasers starts last season featured the Brown Advisory winner whete he ran a blinder. He’s already race fit having stayed on to win at Wexford a few weeks ago so there is a lot in his favour.
Gorgeous Tom is having his first start in a handicap and he has tonnes of back class form against strong opposition. His mark is actually a little bit surprising here and he could be suited by this type of track and conditions. Henry De Bromhead is no mug in these type of races and he got his stayer off to a good start when finishing second to Firefox at Down Royal over a trip of 2m 4f. Stepping back up in distance, I think this should suit Gorgeous Tom and both selections seem to have been underestimated in the market.
1pt win Blizzard Of Oz @16/1, 1pt win Gorgeous Tom @16/1, 14:55 Newbury, Saturday
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