Clonmel stage their biggest race of the season, the Grade 2 Clonmel Oil Chase (2.25). Past winners include Edredon Bleu, Beef or Salmon and Doran’s Pride who won the race 4 years in a row between 1997 and 2000.
My main fancies are highlighted in bold – other horses mentioned are well worth considering and should be treated as dangers to the main selection.
Clonmel
12.55 Make a Track won two bumpers in England before joining Charlie Swan’s stable. Made a winning debut over hurdlers at Punchestown over two miles in heavy ground last month and should be suited by the extra distance here.
1.55 Lonesome Dove is course winner that will appreciate this trip. She will probably go over fences later in the season.
2.25 Tranquil Sea is a former winner of the Cheltenham Paddy Power handicap chase. A quality horse and worth following.
2.55 For Bill is quite closely handicapped with Blazing Tempo but the latter was a bit below par on his last start so I will go with Michael Winters runner here. For Bill will be suited by further in due course.
Ludlow
2.30 The talented Cucumber Run is a half brother to Somersby and is well thought of by trainer Nicky Henderson. Basford Bob has only been out of the first three 3 times in 11 starts. He has not always looked an easy ride but connections are hopeful that chasing will be his game.
Taunton
2.10 He’s Our Lad has been running consistently over hurdles and will appreciate both the quick ground and the tight track on his chase debut.
2.40 Daymar Bay failed to settle when a beaten favourite at Chepstow last month. He is inclined to be keen but if he settles is in with a shout here.
Nap of the day
Cucumber Run
Dark horse
Lonesome Dove
From the archives
Continuing our look back at past runnings of the Paddy Power Gold Cup, in 2005 the prize went to Our Vic (pictured below) for Martin Pipe.
An earlier winner of the race Fondmort was back in 4th. Our Vic was a wonderful servant to the Pipe team winning 13 times. He won the Ryanair at the 2008 Festival and the same season beat Kauto Star by a nose in the Totesport Bowl at Aintree. Other notable successes were in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby and the Peter Marsh at Haydock.
Turf Trivia
Amrullah retired in 1992. He had the distinction of running 74 times and never winning.
Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Lisa Miller
ahorse 