Timeform Daily: PP Gold Cup, Saturday, Cheltenham 14:35

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Timeform /
11 November 2011 /
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Cheltenham hosts the PP Gold Cup.

“A typically competitive renewal, but the case for Mon Parrain is quite compelling…”

Timeform preview the feature race on Cheltenham’s Saturday card, the fiercely competitive PP Gold Cup…

Poquelin is a high-class chaser and very much a course specialist, ending last season with yet another win here. Stamina stretched in Charlie Hall Chase on return, and this more suitable with capable claimer on.

Wishfull Thinking is a progressive sort who chased home Noble Prince in the Jewson here before 2 top-class efforts, including when routing opposition in 21f handicap at Punchestown. Respected again.

Oiseau de Nuit is a hold-up 2m chaser who ended last season in the form of his life, following win in Grand Annual with 2 solid efforts. Shaped quite well on return at Exeter, but step up in trip is a worry.

Loosen My Load was a very useful novice last season, winning 3 times and better form when one place behind Wishfull Thinking in the Golden Miller here. Disappointingly turned over in Grade 3 last month, though.

Mon Parrain is a French import who ran out impressive winner of 3m Sandown handicap on British debut in March. Shaped best when runner-up over National fences the following month, and there’s plenty more to come.

Great Endeavour was given an overly-positive ride after a slow start, and just starting to weaken when falling 2 out at the Festival (3m). Just mid-field the following month, but returns still on a very fair mark.

Dave’s Dream seemed rejuvenated after breathing op when landing gamble over 2m here on return a year ago. Well beaten the following month, but fresh clearly the time to catch him and now fitted with headgear.

Holmwood Legend was a real success story last season, winning 3 times prior to an excellent runner-up effort behind Poquelin from out of the weights here in April. Big ask to expect him to continue the progress in this.

The Giant Bolster has won both completed starts over fences, including on handicap debut here (21f) in January. Fit from a really good effort over hurdles and stable in form, but looks ready for return to 3m now.

Finger Onthe Pulse has been very hit and miss in recent seasons, but again returned from a spell in the doldrums with a useful effort to land a minor event at Listowel. Record in handicaps is pretty uninspiring.

Calgary Bay put up a number of sound efforts in defeat after routing a good handicap field at Doncaster in 2009/10, but last seen falling in the Grand National, and others more unexposed.

Araldur bounced back well from injury in hurdles-only campaign last season, and would have finished even closer to Fistral Beach on chase return but for suffering interference. One to take seriously.

Noble Alan has been let down by jumping more than once since making winning return to fences a year ago, still going well when unseating at Market Rasen latest. No hiding place in that department round here.

Quantitativeeasing left behind 2 fairly straightforward wins in novice company when an excellent second to Divers in the Centenary here in March. 29f too far for him the following month, and not fully exposed.

Swincombe Rock made an impressive start over fences when winning at Perth and Huntingdon last autumn. Back on track when runner-up at Chepstow a month ago (3m) but has to race from 4 lb out the weights.

Aerial immediately stepped up on his French form when making a mockery of his opening mark at Wincanton in February (21f). Turned over in novice 2 months later (tongue tied) and not seen since.

Tullamore Dew was second in 2010 Coral Cup, and took really well to chasing last season, third to Divers in CD handicap here at Festival. Just behind The Giant Bolster when also shaping well on hurdling return.

Divers, like many from this stable, got it right when it mattered in CD handicap at Festival in March. Had several of these behind that day, but made a lacklustre return to action last month.

Billie Magern is a better chaser than hurdler, completing 4-timer in novices last year. Typically well prepared for reappearance when landing a punt here last month, but plenty on from 5 lb out the weights.

Fine Parchment enjoyed a productive time of things last season, taking another step forward when gaining fifth win over fences at Newbury in March. Cracking runner-up effort on return, but 6 lb ‘wrong’ here.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Mon Parrain
2. Araldur
3. Great Endeavour

Timeform View: A typically competitive renewal, but the case for Mon Parrain is quite compelling, as he returns on what looks a very good mark, and the manner in which he went about both British starts suggests he’ll be an exciting chaser this season. Araldur and Great Endeavour are put up as a couple of interesting alternatives at bigger prices.

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