11:05am Saturday 28th April 2007
By Flared Nostril
SANDOWN'S Betfred Gold Cup Chase brings together two challengers who look well in at the weights for this £91,000 handicap in Alderburn and Reveillez.
Both face a hike in the ratings after this race following eye-catching wins after the weights for this 3 mile 5 furlong race were framed.
Alderburn is preferred marginally, but if both jockeys adopt hold-up tactics, believing they have plenty in the tank it is not impossible to see WEE ROBBIE taking a hand in the finish, especially if he goes with likely pacemaker Hot Weld.
Nick Gifford's charge has yet to win a race this season but his third in a very hot novices handicap at Cheltenham was achieved, crucially, in a very fast time.
Here at The Flared Nostril there cannot be maximum confidence in such a competitive race, but Wee Robbie is the selection.
For the nap we go to Ripon, where Tim Easterby has a great record and saddles PONTY ROSSA (2.30).
Highly-tried last year, the son of Distant Music got pretty close in a Group Three despite being hampered and should be well up this test on his seasonal debut.
At Haydock's evening meeting, GOODBYE MR BOND was a leading fancy for the Lincoln is many people's eyes and must have a good chance in the 6.45pm race despite a steadier of top weight.
SPICE ROUTE is better than his seventh first time out and is fancied in the 8.15pm.
Last Saturday's nap YEAMAN'S HALL was withdrawn, but obliged yesterday at 4-1.
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