The Jump Season is already into its stride and we have seen some eye-catching performances already. Here, The Wine Tipster shares his top 10 horses to follow this Jump Season. Some of these have already had their seasonal debut, others to race very soon.

Hurdlers

Hillcrest (Henry Daly)

Hillcrest is such an impressive looking individual and this highly regarded type surely has plenty of improvement to come this season. In his two bumpers he finished second first time out to Wiseguy and then beat Armand De Brignac, with Harper’s Brook in third, who won at Carlisle on seasonal debut. There is no doubt that Hillcrest is seen as having a very bright future by his trainer and it would be great to see him do so well for the late Trevor Hemmings. He is entered at Aintree on Saturday.

Soaring Glory (Jonjo O’Neill)

Soaring Glory looked the real deal when winning Newbury’s big February handicap and then didn’t quite hit the level in the Supreme at Cheltenham when fourth to the top class Appreciate It. However, he bounced right back at Ascot on Saturday when winning the London Handicap Hurdle Listed Race when tipped up in my Unibet column. This six-year-old looked very visually impressive after his Summer break and beat a good field with something in hand after looking the winner someway out. Jonjo O’Neill might run Soaring Glory at the Cheltenham November Meeting, although more likely at Newbury at the end of the month.

Nightboattoclyro (Sam Drinkwater)

Very well backed on seasonal reappearance last year and beat Hooper fair and square with form that looks very good now and after two more wins at Chepstow and Wetherby before he lost his form (although still running respectably) in the Spring. Only had the nine hurdles starts – winning four of them – and gives the impression there’s still more to come when stepped up in trip slightly. Watch for him first time up, especially if the ground is on the soft side. 

Bear Ghylls (Nicky Martin)

It’s possible, given his size, that he might go chasing this year but his jumping, to an extent, held him back a bit last year and if that can be tidied up a bit there’s still some good races to be won with him over hurdles this season. Ready winner of first three starts before his jumping again cost him a place in the Ballymore but he kept trying all the way to the line regardless, and it would be no surprise if he stepped up in trip this year. Exciting prospect, whatever discipline connections decide to go for. 

Peking Rose (Fergal O’Brien)

Unusually for them, connections have taken their time with him (presumably because he’s a bit weak) and that could pay off this season. Good fourth in an Ascot bumper and then better still when second to Knappers Hill at Aintree, doing a lot of good late work under patient tactics and looked very much like 2m4f+ will suit him as a novice this year. Peking Rose was third on seasonal debut at Ascot to Kandoo Kid and will step up from that performance as he has loads to come as he strengthens up. 

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Chasers

Beatthebullett (Rebecca Curtis)

Lovely, big gelding that made a good impression when successful at Hereford over hurdles last November and, when given time to get over that, ran better than finishing position suggested at Haydock showing up well for a long way before getting tired. Thrown in at deep end in the Albert Bartlett, unsurprisingly tailed off but I’d expect him to improve a lot for fences this year (has won two Irish points) and can see him making up into one of the better novice chasers. 

Quinta Do Mar (Ben Pauling)

Scopey, good-looking gelding that stood out in the paddock at both Market Rasen and Ludlow last year, successful in the latter and should have won at Market Rasen but maybe jockey kicked on too soon and he was caught late on. Not disgraced on handicap debut at Cheltenham, fell last when still in touch and, as unexposed as he is, has plenty of potential for fences this season. Quinta Do Mar won a Handicap Hurdle at Carlisle on seasonal reappearance in October going away from Onehundredpercent when ridden very confidently. There is plenty more to come here.

Third Time Lucki (Dan Skelton)

Third Time Lucki was so eye-catching at The Showcase Meeting at Cheltenham on ground that was definitely on the quick side. He pulled himself to the front and won so comfortably after jumping in great style on chasing debut. Last season he had seven starts and will be campaigned differently this term with the Arkle in March the target.

Onchan (Nigel Twiston-Davies)

Lovely, lengthy sort that’s made for fences (is a full brother to Lord Windermere, amongst others); in truth, disappointing that he couldn’t get off the mark over hurdles but had issues (treated for post-race ataxia on one occasion) and maybe final Ludlow run was one too many for the year, but you’d expect him to do a lot better over fences, given that pedigree and his size, so too soon to be giving up on him yet. He is entered at Aintree on Saturday.

Any News (Neil Mulholland)

Looked very useful in bumpers/novice hurdles early in career but things didn’t go his way last year. However, the fact that he was thrown in at the deep end shows what they thought he was capable of and he travelled as well as anything in the Swinton and he lost nothing in defeat to a race-fit rival at Warwick last week with things again not going his way. He remains with the potential to make up into a very useful chaser if he can keep his exuberance in check (wore red hood at Warwick, keen). On seasonal debut Any News was third at Cheltenham behind Third Time Lucki, who is Arkle bound, when running on and can build on that performance.

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Keep up to date with The Wine Tipster’s tips throughout Jump Season with his Unibet Racing blog and across his Social Media. For more racing, wine and hospitality content, subscribe to get the next blog straight to your inbox.

What a Saturday of racing ahead with the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby, a super competitive card at Ascot, the Grade 1 Champion Chase at Down Royal and the final race day of 2021 at Newmarket.

The Champion Chase at Down Royal is a fascinating renewal, and it would be great to see Frodon come out on top here, however the Gold Cup winner Minella Indo is a worthy favourite. At Wetherby in the Charlie Hall Chase Cyrname is rightly favourite and goes well fresh but last season’s form figures of 1PP do not inspire total confidence and the exciting Shan Blue Unibet 11/4 could turn over the market leader here.

Enjoy whether #athome or on a racecourse.

Cheers

The Wine Tipster

2.10 Ascot – Bateaux London Handicap Hurdle Listed Race (1m 7½f)

Soaring Glory looked the real deal when winning Newbury’s big February handicap and then didn’t quite hit the level in the Supreme at Cheltenham when fourth to the top class Appreciate It. However, he is more than capable of striking here, having won on debut at Chepstow last season beating Bravemansgame and Soaring Glory has a bumper win at Ascot on his CV too.

Unibet 5/1 win

Global Citizen has plenty of top-class form with two Grade 2 Hurdle wins and two Grade 2 Chase successes. Of course, last season’s form figures aren’t enticing with PPP but he was racing in very competitive races and this nine-year-old cab bounce back. Global Citizen has dropped to a mark of 142 and was second in this race three years ago on seasonal debut. His trainer Ben Pauling has his yard in top form right now.

Unibet 18/1 each way

2.23 Newmarket – Handicap (1m)

Noble Dynasty had absolutely no luck in running at Haydock last time out when finishing fifth and surely is better than his current mark of 95. He has finished second on his two appearances on the Rowley Mile and can go one better day with cheekpieces fitted.

Unibet 2/1 win

3.20 Ascot – Bateaux London Gold Cup Handicap Chase Grade 2 (3m)

Sojourn (nap) looked impressive when winning a good Handicap Chase at Carlisle on seasonal debut last year with the placed runners having performed well since. He was then a good second to Sam’s Adventure (subsequently won Eider) in the Tommy Whittle at Haydock ahead of being pulled up quickly in the Grand National Trial, having suffered a wound in his right-hind leg. Whilst he is seen as a heavy ground performer, he won a bumper on good going, has a great record fresh and a breathing operation may help too.

Unibet 6/1 each way

One More Fleurie won four of his last five starts last season and looked so visually impressive at Ayr on Scottish Grand National Day when jumping impeccably to win the Novices’ Champion Handicap Chase easily on good going. He has to prove he is as effective going right-handed and he did win on soft at Warwick, with little rain forecast for today at Ascot ground should be fine.

Unibet 10/1 each way

3.55 Ascot – Stella Artois Novices’ Hurdle (1m 7½f)

Peking Rose is a very interesting hurdling debutant for Unibet Ambassador Fergal O’ Brien. Peking Rose won on debut at Carlisle and then on his last start in April finished second to Knappers Hill (won this month on hurdling debut) when doing all his best work at the finish in a hot bumper at Aintree.

Ground will suit and if he settles well he has a good chance here.

Unibet 100/30 win

It is proper jump racing weather, and we have top class jump racing too with stars like Cyrname, Delta Work, Presenting Percy, Samcro and Lisnagar Oscar all running today.

There are jump racing cards at Ascot, Down Royal, Wetherby and Ayr, with the last flat racing meeting at Newmarket. There is a twilight meeting at Wolverhampton too.   

2.05 Newmarket – Montrose Fillies’ Stakes Listed Race (1m)

Teodolina for the Richard Hannon yard is definitely worth an each way play here as she will thrive in these conditions. She won on the soft hard held when favourite at Haydock last month over this trip when travelling very comfortably throughout. This is admittedly a tougher contest, yet trip and ground will really suit. Unibet 8/1 each way  

2.40 Newmarket – James Seymour Stakes Listed Race (1m 2f)

The eleven-year-old Air Pilot won this race in 2014 and can take this contest again for the Ralph Beckett team. He was admittedly a bit disappointing at Goodwood on seasonal debut, however he is bound to come on for that run and he won at the Sussex track last season in good style. He will absolutely relish conditions today. Unibet 7/1 each way

2.45 Wetherby – West Yorkshire Handicap Hurdle Grade 2 (3m)

Roksana (nap) simply never fails to run her race and she is bound to be fit for this seasonal appearance. She is getting almost a stone from Lisnagar Oskar and on the only two occasions she’s raced at three miles, she’s been second to Santini and If The Cap Fits, so her form at the trip is rock solid. Unibet 2/1 win

3.05 Ascot – Sodexho Handicap Hurdle (1m 7½f)

Countister for Nicky Henderson has the ability to win a handicap of this nature off this mark and has often gone well fresh in the past – best run to date came after a year’s absence when third in the 2019 County Hurdle. Admittedly was disappointing in her two starts last year, however she is reported to be fit and well in Nicky Henderson’s Unibet racing blog. Unibet 6/1 each way

3.20 Wetherby – Charlie Hall Chase Grade 2 (3m)

This is a cracking renewal of The Charlie Hall and whilst I’m a massive Sam Spinner fan Vinndication is a class act who can have a major season. He panned them in the Sodexo Gold Cup on reappearance last year and ran even better under a welter burden in the Ultima at Cheltenham. Clearly goes well fresh, yard going fine and ground ideal. Unibet 15/8 win

3.40 Ascot – Sodexo Gold Cup (3m)

Militarian often goes off underestimated for these big handicaps, as he did when scoring (on reappearance, as here) at 50-1 over course and distance last year. No fluke about that, ran just as well at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day. Hasn’t been seen since the Kim Muir and goes well fresh. He is impervious to ground and a good e/w chance off a one-pound higher mark than last year. Unibet 12/1 each way 

The QIPCO British Champions Series features the 35 top Flat races in the British horseracing calendar from June – October, featuring all of British Flat racing’s key festivals.  QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot on Saturday 17 October is Britain’s richest raceday with £2.5 million in prize money and marks the end of The Series. Although racing remains behind closed doors this year, let The Wine Tipster guide you round the Fan Zone at Home with tips for wines, horses, and activities.

Races

The Series includes five championship categories: Sprint, Mile, Middle Distance, Long Distance and Fillies & Mares. Each features the seven highest-rated races in that category and brings together the finest horses, jockeys and trainers to compete for the sport’s most prestigious prizes.

For QIPCO British Champions Day, the five championship races are:

• The QIPCO British Champions Sprint Stakes – over 6 furlongs (1,200 metres) for horseracing’s speed merchants.
• The Queen Elizabeth II Stakes is Champions Day’s Mile category – for four-year-olds and older horses. With prize money of £1.1 million, it is Europe’s richest mile race.
• The £1.3m QIPCO Champion Stakes (1¼ miles) – Britain’s richest ten-furlong race. The QIPCO British Champions Series Middle Distance category is the most important of all, full of hugely valuable, iconic contests.
• The QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup – over 2 miles (3,200 metres). In the QIPCO British Champions Series Long Distance category come the stamina-sapping races for horses that can stay the trip – the “stayers”.
• The £500,000 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes – over 1½ miles where the three-year-olds clash with the older fillies and mares. In 2019, Frankie Dettori and John Gosden teamed up for another QIPCO British Champions Day winner thanks to Star Catcher.

QIPCO British Champions Day is the ultimate raceday, and sees the kings and queens of the turf fight for victory in the last Flat Meeting of the season. The Wine Tipster is excited for what is a fantastic line up of runners in all the six races and you can check out his selection in each race in his Unibet Racing blog:

1:20 – QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup (Group 2) (British Champions Series) (Class 1) (3yo+) on ITV and Racing TV

1:55 – QIPCO British Champions Sprint Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series) (Class 1) (3yo+) on ITV and Racing TV

2:30 – QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series) (Class 1) (3yo+) on ITV and Racing TV

3:05 – Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Group 1) (Sponsored By QIPCO) (British Champions Mile) (Class 1) (3yo+) on ITV & Racing TV

3:40 – QIPCO Champion Stakes (British Champions Middle Distance) (Group 1) (Class 1) (3yo+) on ITV & Racing TV

4:15 – Balmoral Handicap (Sponsored By QIPCO) (Class 2) (3yo+) on ITV and Racing TV

At Home

The Wine Tipster will be enjoying a glass of wine or two from Ascot Wine Club. Launched for the 2020 Royal Ascot Festival in partnership with Moët & Chandon, Official Champagne, and Official Wine Partner Hallgarten Novum Wines.

Official Wine Supplier, Ascot Wine Club delivers top quality bottles directly to your door in time for the races.

The Wine Tipster’s four bottles for the QIPCO British Champions Day are:

Sauvignon Blanc Reserva, Viña Echeverría, Valle de Curicó, Chile 2019 – Chile are now producing great value and very classy Sauvignon Blancs, like this Viña Echeverría. This bottle can also come as part of the Fame And Glory Case, taking its name from the Gold Cup Winner who had an impressive racing career winning 5 races and was the favourite for the Ascot Gold Cup in 2011, winning by three lengths. The case provides 12 bottles of 4 luxury and affordable wines.

Malbec, ‘Estate’ 2018, Doña Paula, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina – A high quality, complex and beautifully balanced wine. This bottle is also available from the Sagaro Case, another historical Gold Cup winner who won in every season from 1974 to 1977. The case is a middle range price point with 12 bottles of 4 top quality wines.

Sancerre 2019 Domaine Gérard Millet, Loire, France – a classic, top class bottle from the Loire which can also be purchased in the Yeats Case. Yeats made Ascot history becoming the first horse ever to win the Ascot Gold Cup four times in succession. The case is at the top end of the prices and features some truly wonderful bottles of champagne and wine.

Rosé, ‘Whispering Angel’ 2019, Provence, France – this Group 1 pink showcases all the elegance and style of the Provence region. It is also available in the top class Yeats Case.

Virtual Fan Zone

QIPCO British Champions Series and the Pony Club have joined together to create a list of unmissable activities for children on Champions Day. First stop – the Horseracing Handbook is a must read for children wanting to get involved with the day, or adults looking for some light entertainment! Design your own silks and fill in the winners for each race in this handy guide.

Why not enter a competition for a chance to win a limited edition QIPCO British Champions Day Decade of Champions jacket and mask, and a QIPCO British Champions Day scarf for your child. Details here.

There are a number of fun videos on the QIPCO British Champions Day website including how Tom Marquand rose through the ranks, a course ride with Frankie Dettori and see what is involved in the early life or a racehorse.

For those looking for an indepth analysis of this year’s QIPCO British Champions Day, why not check out the Media Guide for all the horse racing stats and more. Check out the QIPCO British Champions Day in Numbers below:

The Wine Tipster hopes you have a most fantastic QIPCO British Champions Day and see the Flat Season out in style. Don’t forget to engage on social media with The Wine Tipster, Ascot Racecourse and QIPCO British Champions Series.

The QIPCO King George Diamond Racing Weekend is Ascot’s midsummer showpiece, celebrating the best of British summertime as one of the most prestigious race meetings outside of the Royal Meeting. Combining world-class Flat racing with a quintessential English garden party experience, it is an unmissable event steeped in history and synonymous with style. Here, The Wine Tipster shares his tips for enjoying the weekend at home with food, drink and ideas to celebrate safely. 

Races

An enhanced 17 races will take place at Ascot for the weekend, with a nine-race card on the Saturday and eight races on the Sunday. The pinnacle of the weekend’s races  is Saturday’s 03:35 PM The King George VI And Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes (Class 1) (Group 1) 3+ with prize money totalling £400,000 and being run over one mile about four furlongs. The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes was first run almost 70 years ago in 1951, in tribute to Her Majesty the Queen’s parents, and has long been recognised as Europe’s premier, mid-season, middle distance race for all age groups. Since then has had three two-time winners in Dahlia, Swain and most recently Enable, whilst Lester Piggott and Sir Michael Stoute hold the positions of the race’s winning-most jockey and trainer with 7 and 6 wins respectively.

For a full list of the weekend’s races, visit the Ascot and the Unibet websites.

This year, much loved defending champion, Enable, is welcomed back to the Ascot turf as she goes in search of a record third win in The King George VI And Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes.

Where to Watch

The weekend will be broadcast live on ITV & Sky Sports Racing. ITV will broadcast five races on the Saturday on ITV1, including the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes, and four races on the Sunday on ITV4. Sky Sports Racing will show every race of the weekend live.

Throughout the weekend, The Wine Tipster will be on Social Media connecting with audiences and commenting on the live action. Follow him here.

What to Drink

The Ascot Wine Club is Ascot’s new online wine shop, in partnership with Official Wine Supplier, Hallgarten & Novum Wines, and Official Champagne, Moët & Chandon. They are stocked with a range of bottles for every budget to order online in time for the weekend’s races. To help celebrate this great weekend of racing, The Ascot Wine Club are delighted to offer the chance to win a Methuselah (6litres!) of the fabulous Whispering Angel Rosé. This is a wonderful Rosé, and all you have to do to be in with a chance is place an order from The Ascot Wine Club before 2nd August 2020 and you’ll be entered into the prize draw. For more information on this great opportunity, read here. 

Moët & Chandon are the official partner of Ascot and the perfect taste of luxury to celebrate some wins. The QIPCO King George Diamond Racing Weekend is introducing a Golden Ticket Prize Draw for 2020 in association with the iconic Champagne House. To be in with a chance of winning hospitality at Ascot for up to six people, download a ticket and see if it turns gold at 17:43 on Saturday 25th July 2020 (to celebrate the year Maison Moët was founded). Apply here and read T&Cs here.

Why not make yourself a Harrogate Fruit Cup, brought to you by Harrogate Water – Official Water of Ascot. This non-alcoholic fruit cup is perfect for sipping at home during the weekend, and kids will be able to enjoy it too! You’ll need: Harrogate Spring Water, 1 tsp sugar free lemon syrup, 1/2 Teaspoon Balsamic Vinegar, 6 strawberries, 8 raspberries, mint leaves, lemon and orange slices – recipe here.

What to Eat

Test your knowledge of King George winners in this 10-1 quiz. The categories are as follows:

Enable – Queen of the Turf – is one of the greatest horses ever to have graced the turf. The only European-based filly or mare to have earned over £10m in prize money, she has beaten many of the best horses in training on some of the biggest stages in world racing, compiling one of the most decorated CVs in the sport’s history. For fans looking to support this amazing horse or for activities to do over the weekend, check out the Enable Fan Activity Pack which includes bunting, wordsearches and games, flags to wave, and a quiz to do with the family!

Connect with The Wine Tipster on Social Media to share how you are celebrating the weekend, and however you choose to enjoy The QIPCO King George Diamond Racing Weekend, here’s to some wins and some good memories! Cheers! 

Don’t miss a thing – Subscribe to The Wine Tipster’s Blogs here for posts straight to your inbox.

The Wine Tipster had a fantastic Royal Ascot 2017, presenting for Racing UK, BBC Berkshire and Ascot Racecourse. Over four and a half thousand people per day worked tirelessly throughout the week to make it another unforgettable year, which was made even more special with the spontaneous three cheers for the Queen everyday. Nearly 300,000 people attended this year’s Royal Ascot 2017 and the media coverage has never been stronger across the world.

As the official Champagne of Ascot this year, Champagne Bollinger was certainly flowing throughout the week, as was the official cocktail of the Flat season: The Royal Blush. The beautiful pink concoction is a mix of Beefeater London dry gin and rhubarb syrup, with chilled lemonade and fresh raspberries – making the perfect summer drink to enjoy at the racecourse.ITV’s James Tanner’s 

Queen Anne Kitchen was a new feature for the Racecourse, and was a particular favourite of The Wine Tipster, especially the Salt and Pepper Squid and the West Country Crab Salad, which paired beautifully with the Sauvignon Blanc 2016 Spy Valley from Marlborough, New Zealand. Tom Stanley my wonderful colleague from Racing UK enjoyed ‘going in’.

Other new features of Ascot this year included the 1768 Restaurant for lunch and afternoon tea, as well as The Village in the centre of the course which provided a more relaxed racing experience and was home to some stunning food stalls. The Wine Tipster tucked into Eggs Benedict from the wonderful Hotbox, who appear at music festivals across the country with their delicious delights.The Wine Tipster’s highlights of the week included tasting with Rishi Persad such dishes as Raymond Blanc’s Cornish Crab Salad with Coconut Bisque which was beautifully paired with the award-winning Bolney Estate Bacchus 2016 from Sussex. In regards to racing, however, The Wine Tipster enjoyed Gold Cup Day, especially with the 2 ½ mile feature won by his big tip of the week, Big Orange, who gallantly just managed to hold off the favourite Order of St George. Ribchester breaking the course record in the Jersey Stakes in the first race of Royal Ascot 2017 was also an unforgettable Ascot moment, as was Caravaggio in the Commonwealth Cup for the all conquering Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore.   

All in all, another memorable and exciting Royal Ascot, for both the racing and fine dining experiences.

The popular Shergar Cup day takes place at Ascot today and this year there are four teams battling it out over a six race card starting at 12.55.

Ascot 12.55 Les Ambassadeurs Casino Shergar Cup Mile The main question here is how Nine Realms will perform after a slightly lacklustre first run of the season. The Wine Tipster thinks that Nine Realms has too much to do and his siding with Andrew Balding’s Roserrow, who is certainly progressive.Selection: Roserrow win 8/1.

Ascot 1.30 Redcentric Shergar Cup Stayers 2m Sir Mark Prescott is renowned for the placement of his horses and his Mutual Respect, a winner last time at Ffos Las over this distance, looks open to improvement against some tough opposition including Broxbourne and Brockwell. Selection: Mutual Regard win 5/1.

Ascot 2.05 Barclays Shergar Cup Dash  5f Ahtoug looks well handicapped and his trainer Charlie Appleby’s stable is in good form so with a pull in the weights Ahtoug can reverse the form with joint favourite Steps when they last met on July 28^th at Ascot. Selection: Ahtoug win 9/2.

Ascot 2.40 Keltbray Shergar Cup Classic 1m 4f Chesterfield, despite a six pound penalty after his determined victory over Lady Pimpernel over 1m 2f, looks sure to benefit from the longer trip of 1m 4f and give trainer Charlie Appleby a double, whilst Cathy Gannon’s mount Cardinal Palace looks good for some place money.  Selections: Chesterfield win 11/4 and Cardinal Palace each way 12/1. 

Ascot 3.15  Pagegroup Shergar Cup Challenge 1m 4f Star Lahib will relish the return to 1m 4f and his two wins this season have both been over this trip. Ustura is the main danger and if runs to his Royal meeting form then he is a big threat, although The Wine Tipster still takes Mark Johnston’s Star Lahib to just edge this tight handicap. Selection: Star Lahib win 7/2.

Ascot 3.50 Dubal Duty Free Shergar Cup Sprint 6f Trainer William Haggas continues in cracking form and look set for another successful Saturday in televised races with favourite Noble Deed’s three wins all coming at this distance of 6f, this looks the horse to be punting your pounds on.Selection: Noble Deed win  5/2

Channel 4’s is also featuring these races with my The Wine Tipster’s tips:

2.20 Haydock: Educate 9/1 each way.

2.55 Haydock: Telescope 4/5 win.

3.35 Newmarket: Wedding Ring  7/2 win. 

To celebrate a successful afternoon The Wine Tipster suggests some wonderful fizz from Champagne Jacquart Brut Mosaïque NV, £25, Great Western Wines or Laurent-Perrier’s delicious and expressive Laurent-Perrier Millésime 2004,Champagne, France £43.99. Stockists: Sainsbury’s, Oddbins

Cheers!

The Blue Riband race of The Cheltenham Festival is The Betfred Gold Cup at 3.20 on Friday. The 2013 build up appears to have been focussed on taking sides with Sir Des Champs, Bobs Worth, First Lieutenant and Silviniaco Conti v Long Run and Captain Chris. Only Silviniaco Conti from the first team makes real appeal because he is clearly an improving type, who beat Long Run and The Giant Bolster by 2½ lengths and 4½ lengths respectively at level weights in November, then with The Giant Bolster in receipt of 4 pounds, Silviniaco Conti put seven lengths between them at Newbury in February. His jumping is accurate and he definitely has the progressive appeal to win a Gold Cup .

The current favourite Bobs Worth beat Tidal Bay by 3¼ lengths in receipt of 6 pounds in the Hennessy Gold Cup, with First Lieutenant five lengths third in receipt of 1 pound from Bobs Worth. Tidal Bay then stole the Lexus Chase in one of the finishes of the season at level weights with Sir Des Champs and First Lieutenant, which leaves me with the view that Bobs Worth, Sir Des Champs and First Lieutenant are pretty closely matched but not winners of the Gold Cup.

For the second team, Long Run and Captain Chris are seen as having fought out a titanic finish in a sub-standard King George run on heavy ground.  This is all wrong, as Long Run has won a King George twice, a Gold Cup once and he has never finished out the first three in any of his races. Although Silviniaco Conti did beat Long Run in the Betfair Chase, Long Run’s trainer Nicky Henderson said that he would need the run on his seasonal appearance.  Supporting the King George form is Captain Chris, who is a very different horse this season, with Richard Johnson riding him brilliantly and whilst 2.5 miles was too short for him at Ascot last time against a nimble Cue Card he will be patiently ridden at Cheltenham, gradually working his way in to a place at the finish.

Silviniaco Conti makes the most appeal as a potential winner, however my preferred bets are Long Run each way at 6/1 (taken 7/1), which looks one of the safest bets of the week to The Wine Tipster, with  a small each way wager on Captain Chris at 16/1 too.

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