Somersby looks right for Haldon Gold Cup
Having trained one of the best chasers of the past 10 years, Henrietta Knight always knew that he would be hard to replace.
Somersby may have some way to go but he can take the next step in the totesport.com Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter, a race that Knight has won four times previously with Impek (2006), Edredon Bleu (2003 and 2002) and her triple Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Best Mate (2001).
A smart novice hurdler, finishing third in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in 2008, Somersby only ran four times last season, winning on his debut at Warwick and then following up in a Grade Two at Sandown Park in December.
He was beaten in his last two starts but lost little caste in finishing three-quarters of a length second to Sizing Europe in the Grade One Arkle Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival. He did not match up to that form when second in a Grade Two chase at Aintree three weeks later but may well have been over the top by then.
He looks well handicapped on his best form for a race that four horses who are or were trained by Paul Nicholls. Ruby Walsh takes the ride on Tchico Polos, who had some good novice form himself last season. However, he is racing from 5lbs out of the weights in this limited handicap because of stable companion Twist Magic.
Twist Magic is top-class at his best, winning two Grade One races – the Tingle Creek and Victor Chandler – in December and January but then showed signs of temperament that has to make him vulnerable off a handicap mark of 173.
Herecomesthetruth and I’msingingtheblues are now with new trainers but Herecomesthetruth’s form tailed off tailed off last season and I’msingingtheblues has never run on ground with this much give. Cornas could well be a threat but is 3lb out of handicap.
Madison du Berlais has not run over hurdles since he was trained in France and there has to be a chance that it might all be a bit quick for him in the first division of the toteplacepot "National Hunt" Novices´ Hurdle. However he is a class act and would not have to be at his best to win.
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