Poquelin heads weights for the Paddy Power Gold Cup
Despite having won most of the major chasing prizes, the Paddy Power Gold Cup has so far eluded Paul Nicholls.
And if course specialist Poquelin is to change that statistic he will have to concede at least 6lbs all round after the weights were announced for the extended two-and-a-half-mile handicap, which is run on November 13th.
Poquelin, who is set to carry 11st 12lb, finished four-and-a-half lengths second to Tranquil Sea, when conceding 2lbs, but will now have to give 7lbs if Edward O’Grady’s horse attempts to become the first dual winner of the race since Cyfor Malta, who won in 1998 and 2002.
Poquelin’s last three wins have all come at Cheltenham, including a seven-length win in the boylesports.com Gold Cup in December, and the seven-year-old ran another solid race at the Festival in March when second to Albertas Run in the Grade One Ryanair Chase.
Edgbriar, who has been allotted 10st 7lb, is another horse who has proved himself adept at Cheltenham with a win last month, which was Dominic Elsworth’s first after a 14-month layoff through injury, as well as a second to show from just three runs at Prestbury Park for Paul Webber who said: “Dominic schooled him on Tuesday morning and we haven’t entirely made our mind up whether to return to Cheltenham or save him until the Becher or Grand Sefton Chases at Aintree the following week.
“We were absolutely thrilled to pieces when he won at Cheltenham, particularly for Dominic and it was great to be part of a National Hunt fairytale.
“It’s a balance between going back to Cheltenham with a horse who obviously loves the course and running him in a race that might be too hot for him. He would probably be favourite for either of the Aintree races if he went there, whereas he is currently a 20-1 chance for Cheltenham.
“He would be racing off a cracking weight in the Paddy Power Cup. We’ll just have to wait and have a look what the potential line-up might be.”
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