Sodexo Live! Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4YO plus)
2m 7f 185y Good
prominent, led 3rd until 4th, led 9th, headed 10th, led next, stayed on well flat
mid-division, not fluent 5th, headway 10th, not fluent 3 out, challenged 2 out, held towards finish
prominent early, chased leaders, bumped 14th, 4th 2 out, stayed on into 3rd flat
in rear, hampered 1st, headway 13th, outpaced before 2 out, stayed on flat, went 4th close home
mid-division, hampered 1st, hampered and mistake next, closed from 5th, every chance 2 out, no extra flat
held up towards rear, hampered 1st, closed 3rd, led 5th, headed next, led 10th until 11th, bumped 14th, weakened before 2 out
held up in rear, headway 15th, weakened from 4 out, tailed off
not fluent, chased leaders, lost place 3rd, mistake and reminder 5th, behind 15th, pulled up before 2 out
fell 1st
mid-division on outside, lost place before 4th, soon jumping right, mistake 10th, behind 13th, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, mistake and lost place 15th, well beaten 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
led until 3rd, led next, headed 5th, led 6th until 9th, mistake and unseated rider 10th
| Type | Winnings |
|---|---|
| CSF | £41.95 (2, 4) |
| Tricast | £130.16 (2, 4, 5) |
| Win | £9.50 (2) |
| Place | £2.60 (2), £1.80 (4), £2.00 (5) |
| Swinger | £9.30 (2, 4), £8.50 (2, 5), £4.90 (4, 5) |
| Exacta | £49.80 (2, 4) |
| Trifecta | £422.60 (2, 4, 5) |
Perhaps this was not as competitive a renewal as some we have witnessed in recent years. Nevertheless, it still produced an exciting finish between three of the horses towards the top of the handicap.
HENRY’S FRIEND The handicapper has raised him to 146 after this success which looks fair enough. That said, I doubt he could have been challenged by a more willing runner up in the closing stages.
THE CHANGING MAN He has developed into a wonderfully consistent and reliable chaser. He came to win his race on the approach to the final fence and seemed to be going best at this point of proceedings. From thereon in he did what he has done several times before now by coming out second best in a battle. He has now finished as the runner up in each of his latest six starts in handicap company. He must be a most wonderful horse to own and he remains an excellent one to consider for Straight Forecast purposes.
BLOW YOUR WAD This was his first try with a visor on and also his first run since undergoing wind surgery. He was a little on and off the bridle but did eventually stay on very strongly to close on the two leaders in the final 200 yards. If we judged him solely on this first attempt at three miles then we would conclude that he was worth keeping at this sort of trip.
SNIPE After being outpaced round the turn for home he did consent to stay on late in the day to snatch fourth place from the tiring Neon Moon. This was his 12th race in a row without winning and he continues to appear far more likely to finish just behind in the mix rather than get his head out in front on the line.
NEON MOON In the last two seasons his first visit to the racecourse (with one exception) has not been bettered in his subsequent races. He ran well for a long way here before tiring from the second last fence. Although he may well come on for the run, at the same time, his previous record beyond his seasonal debut performance is a little off putting.
TWO FOR GOLD He has a good course record and a strong series of performances in previous renewals of this contest. His star is clearly on the wane; nonetheless, this was still another solid effort.
BHALOO His jockey stated that he ran no race after being put off when slipping into the third fence. He requires good ground to show his form and will no doubt enjoy a rest over the winter once the rain arrives.
| Year | Going | Ran | Winner | Draw | Age | Weight | OR | Form | Last run | Trainer (Distance) | Jockey | SP | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Good | 10 | Chianti Classico | 7 | 12 0 | 152 | P-11214 | 204 days | K Bailey & M Nicholls (85 miles) | Thomas Bellamy | 11/ 4 | 5:58.38 | |
| 2023 | Soft | 11 | Victtorino | 5 | 10 12 | 138 | 612574 | 223 days | Miss V Williams (120 miles) | Charlie Deutsch | 20/ 1 | 6:08.68 | |
| 2022 | Good | 13 | Our Power | 7 | 11 2 | 136 | 51F135 | 228 days | S Thomas (124 miles) | Charlie Deutsch | 11/ 2 | 5:57.22 | |
| 2021 | Soft | 14 | Larry | 8 | 10 0 | 132 | 108P8-U | 15 days | G & J Moore (36 miles) | Jamie Moore | 9/ 1 | 6:12.20 | |
| 2020 | Soft | 14 | Regal Encore | 12 | 10 10 | 145 | 082P13 | 259 days | A J Honeyball (120 miles) | Richie McLernon | 14/ 1 | 6:02.10 | |
| 2019 | Good to Soft | 16 | Vinndication | 6 | 11 0 | 151 | 11-1135 | 233 days | K Bailey & M Nicholls (85 miles) | David Bass | 2/ 1 | 5:59.40 | |
| 2018 | Good | 9 | Traffic Fluide | 8 | 11 12 | 149 | 75011-2 | 21 days | G & J Moore (36 miles) | Joshua Moore | 4/ 1 | 5:54.30 | |
| 2017 | Good | 16 | Go Conquer | 8 | 11 0 | 142 | F2250-1 | 29 days | J & A O'Neill (85 miles) | Aidan Coleman | 7/ 1 | 6:04.70 | |
| 2016 | Good | 12 | Antony | 6 | 10 1 | 128 | 01P53-1 | 28 days | G & J Moore (36 miles) | Jamie Moore | 11/ 1 | 5:50.50 | |
| 2015 | Good | 15 | Pendra | 7 | 10 7 | 140 | 1730-45 | 235 days | C E Longsdon (66 miles) | B J Geraghty | 11/ 2 | 5:50.90 | |
| 2014 | Good | 15 | What A Warrior | 7 | 10 6 | 135 | 3565P-1 | 24 days | D Skelton (93 miles) | Harry Skelton | 7/ 1 | 5:51.24 | |
| 2013 | Good to Soft | 16 | Houblon Des Obeaux | 6 | 11 3 | 144 | 423274 | 199 days | Miss V Williams (120 miles) | Aidan Coleman | 12/ 1 | 6:06.54 | |
| 2012 | Good to Soft | 14 | Roberto Goldback | 10 | 10 10 | 150 | 432887 | 189 days | N J Henderson (27 miles) | B J Geraghty | 9/ 1 | 5:57.22 | |
| 2011 | Good | 17 | Exmoor Ranger | 9 | 10 10 | 137 | 439U6P | 189 days | V R A Dartnall (177 miles) | A Glassonbury | 12/ 1 | 5:49.17 | |
| 2010 | Good | 13 | Massini's Maguire | 9 | 11 3 | 146 | 12235-3 | 305 days | D Pipe (140 miles) | Tom Scudamore | 8/ 1 | 5:55.90 | |
| 2009 | Good | 16 | The Last Derby | 5 | 10 3 | 132 | 6-2P134 | 27 days | E Griffin | Liam Treadwell | 33/ 1 | 5:56.00 | |
| 2008 | Good | 12 | Roll Along | 8 | 11 1 | 149 | 30-1225 | 211 days | C Llewellyn (28 miles) | B J Geraghty | 5/ 1 | 5:55.10 | |
| 2007 | Good | 9 | Harris Bay | 8 | 10 7 | 135 | 111PP-6 | 11 days | Miss H C Knight (42 miles) | Timmy Murphy | 10/ 1 | 5:56.90 | |
| 2006 | Good to Firm | 13 | See You Sometime | 11 | 10 8 | 138 | 4864-22 | 14 days | J W Mullins (60 miles) | W Kavanagh | 14/ 1 | 5:53.50 | |
| 2005 | Good | 8 | Stormy Skye | 9 | 10 2 | 96 | 9U13-7P | 172 days | G & J Moore (36 miles) | P Hide | 18/ 1 | 6:16.90 |
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