All eyes will be on Kauto Star here, but he might be worth taking on with another from the same stable in GUNGADU, who has been kept fresh for this and looks a smart and progressive type capable of putting the frighteners on Kauto backers.
Of course, on all known form, Kauto Star is the most likely winner but he did have a hard race in the Gold Cup, when firmly put in his place by stablemate Denman. He was never jumping with his usual fluency and clearly wasn’t at his best in that race and I just wonder if his previous race in the mud at Ascot had left his mark. In fact, his jockey Ruby Walsh did suggest after the Gold Cup that Kauto wasn’t feeling his usual self, so the fact that he turns out again smacks of an afterthought as connections try to give him a winning end to the season.
On the other hand, Gungadu will be as fresh as paint, having not raced since landing the Racing Post Chase under 11st 12lb at Kempton in February. Given his need to be kept fresh for his races, his trainer Paul Nicholls was taking a chance running him that day just three weeks after winning at Sandown, but his class got him through in the end. Okay, he needs to improve again, but that’s perfectly possible, and his sound jumping and high cruising speed will stand him in good stead around this sharp track.
Of the rest, last year’s winner Exotic Dancer ran no sort of race in the Gold Cup and is difficult to fancy, while both Monet’s Garden and Our Vic will have their stamina tested to the full on soft ground over 3m1f. So, it’s Gungadu for me and, even with five runners declared, I’m still lumping on each way as its one quarter the odds, one-two a place
Recommended Bet:
Gungadu 2pts each way @ best morning-line price - bet365 and Stan James offer a best odds price guarantee