Cheltenham Day 4 – Gold Cup – Paddy’s Column

Paddy’s Cheltenham Column – Day 4 (Friday 13th March) – Gold Cup

It’s fair to say we got absolutely gelded over the first two days at Cheltenham with punters making hay whilst the sun shined. But it’s all to play for in the final day today as yesterday was definitely one for the bookies. Perhaps like me the punters were being distracted by all the fine fillies on display for Ladies Day.

Leading with the biggest race of all – the Gold Cup – it’s going to be "hats orf" to Her Majesty if The Queen’s horse Barbers Shop comes home. In fact we’re seeing so much money for Nicky Henderson’s charge that a win for Barbers Shop could well decide whether it’s the punters or the bookies that finish on top at this year’s Festival.

Such is the fervour for Barbers Shop he’s already come in from 16/1 to 12/1 and I’ve no doubt the plunge will increase on him today. There’s certainly great potential in the horse and what a story it would be for Her Majesty to win the Gold Cup. However if Barbers Shop doesn’t win today, and the race may well be a year too early for him, then unless he puts in a stinker of a performance I’d say get on Barbers for the Gold Cup 2010 as soon as today’s race is over!

Our other big loser in the race is the wonderful Kauto Star. You’ve got to love Kauto, and plenty of you out there are on him, but no horse has ever reclaimed the Gold Cup. I’d love to see him do it but it’s a mighty big ask. And nobody is fancying Denman to defend his title this time round, not even his trainer, so you can put a line through the big tank for this year.

For believers in the fates of Friday 13th, horse number 13 Neptune Collonges could well prove lucky for you and should go close but if he’s 5/1 I don’t understand how Exotic Dancer can be 9/1.  Exotic would surely have beaten him or at least been very close when Neptune fell in the Lexus. I also quite like the look of Alberta’s Run if the ground continues to come for him and wouldn’t put you off having a few each way quid on him.

Elsewhere the Triumph Hurdle looks to be an interesting race and I’ve been hearing good things from Nicky Henderson and David Pipe about Master Of Arts. You don’t get a much better pair of judges than that so who am I to disagree?

I’ve also got my eyes on the favourite in the Vincent O’Brien, Dave’s Dream. Not just because we’re paying five places in the race but owner Nicky Henderson is looking to scoop 75 grand off me as a bonus for Dave’s Dream winning last week’s Paddy Power Imperial Cup at Sandown and again here at Cheltenham. Nicky, you’ll find me taking respite in the Guinness Village if your boy comes home!