STOLEN SILVER can continue the big-race success of the Sam Thomas stable in the Paddy Power Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (2.20pm) at Cheltenham on Saturday afternoon.
The former Gold Cup-winning rider is still recuperating after a helicopter crash, which also had Dai Walters, who owns Thomas’ stable and many of the leading horses in it, on board. And Stolen Silver may provide them with another welcome win in the feature of the November meeting at the home of the Cheltenham Festival.
Thomas partnered Denman to victory at Cheltenham in 2008 among many big-race successes in the saddle. And now as a trainer he has been picking up some nice handicap prizes over the past few weeks. Our Power won the London Gold Cup at Ascot with Before Midnight third in the London Gold Cup at Ascot. Then last weekend Al Dancer – just four days on from the helicopter accident – showed his prowess over the Randox Grand National fences with a narrow victory in the Best Odds Guaranteed On Racing Grand Sefton Handicap Chase at Aintree Racecourse.
Stolen Silver looks more than capable of following suit by landing the presitigious 2m4f contest at Prestbury Park. He is still open to more improvement following just nine starts over fences. One of his two chasing successes came on his most recent start and at Cheltenham when scoring by a wide margin in the Silver Trophy at April. He has been runner-up twice at the track and was also fourth in the Craft Irish Whiskey Co. Plate Handicap at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
Protektorat will 'run big race' in Betfair Chase, says trainer Dan Skelton
He has risen up the handicap as a result of his most recent success, but he looks a horse on the up and with the stable in such good form he can triumph under Sam Twiston-Davies, who has won the Paddy Power Gold Cup twice in the past.
With Paul Nicholls’ Monmiral now a non-runner the Ann Hamilton-trained TOMMY'S OSCAR can win the Grade Two Paddy Power Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial Novices’ Chase (Registered As The November) (GBB) (1.45pm).
The seven-year-old – who was a revelation last year, winning a Grade Two contest at Haydock Park among four successes – made a winning chasing debut in good style at Carlisle last month, beating the Donald McCain-trained Geronimo.
He can score again ahead of Pentland Hills – who landed a walkover on his own debut over fences.
The Dan Skelton-trained MEDYAF can make it three wins from three starts over obstacles in the Grade Two JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle (Registered As The Prestbury Juvenile Hurdle) (GBB Race) (12.35pm).
Kim Bailey’s BOBHOPEORNOHOPE can win the Jewson Tool Hire Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase (1.10pm).
The seven-year-old was fairly consistent over fences last year, never being out of the first four in six starts, winning two and finishing second at Ludlow on his most recent outing in March. He may be able to return with another success.
The Nicholls-trained SHEARER may be on target in the Paddy Power Games Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (2.55pm). The six-year-old only won once over hurdles last season but has returned in style this term winning at Worcester and over course and distance last month. He can bring up the hat-trick ahead of David Pipe’s Sidi Ismael, who is from another in-form stable.
Other possible winners on the second day of Cheltenham’s November meeting are the Nicky Henderson-trained WISEGUY in the Paddy Power Feel Like A Favourite Intermediate Handicap Hurdle (3.30pm) and Fergal O’Brien’s unbeaten BONTTAY in the finale, the Listed Stirrups Restaurant And Cocktail Bar Evesham mares’ Open National Hunt Flat Race (GBB Race) (4.05pm).
Last year's winner Snow Leopardess among 43 entries for Becher Chase
At Wetherby O’Brien’s KARL PHILIPPE can make a winning return to action in the Grahame Suttle & Steve Currer, Racing Forever Handicap Chase (1.53pm). While Nigel Twiston-Davies’ MATATA – a winner on his hurdling debut at Fakenham last month – can score again in the All Steels Trading Introductory Hurdle (GBB Race) (2.28pm).
At Uttoxeter the Jane Williams-trained IN REM can build on his fourth on his chasing debut at Worcester last month to get off the mark over fences in the Hobgoblin Ipa Handicap Chase (2.12pm).
Others who can win at the Midlands track are Twiston-Davies’ SUPASUNRISE in the Quinnbet Handicap Hurdle (3.22pm); and the Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero-trained course and distance winner CAWTHORNE in the Wainwright Handicap Hurdle (1.37pm).
At Cheltenham on Sunday Skelton’s NUBE NEGRA can land back-to-back victories in the Grade Two Shloer Chase (Registered As The Cheltenham Chase) (GBB Race) (2.20pm).
Willie Mullins’ DADS LAD – who grabbed a fourth win from his last five starts over course and distance in a chase last month – can continue his progress with another victory in the Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (2.55pm).
Nicky Henderson’s IBERICO LORD won his only start in a bumper in France before being bought by JP McManus. And he can making a winning debut in Britain and over hurdles in the Grade Two Sky Bet Supreme Trial Novices’ Hurdle (Registered As The Sharp Novices’ Hurdle) (GBB Race) (3.30pm).
Others who can win at Prestbury Park on Sunday are the Nigel Thomas Slevin-trained RED AS RUST in the opener, the mallardjewellers.com Novices’ Chase (GBB Race) (1.10pm); and Pipe’s RAMSES DE TEILLEE in the Jewson Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (2.20pm).
Wright Ones
CHELTENHAM (SATURDAY)
12.35pm Medyaf
1.10pm Bobhopeornohope
1.45pm Tommy's Oscar
2.20pm Stolen Silver (NAP)
2.55pm Shearer
3.30pm Wiseguy
4.05pm Bonttay
WETHERBY
12.08pm Present Fair
12.43pm Minella Plus
1.18pm Onagatheringstorm
1.53pm Karl Philippe
2.28pm Matata
3.03pm Gaelik Coast
3.38pm Sigurd
UTTOXETER
12.27pm Lookaway
1.02pm Strong Leader
1.37pm Cawthorne
2.12pm In Rem
2.47pm Fortunes Melody
3.22pm Supasunrise
3.55pm Equinus
LINGFIELD
11.45am Cloch Nua
12.15pm Always Fearless
12.50pm Alumnus
1.25pm Lady Loulou
2pm Young Fire
2.35pm Summerghand
3.10pm Bolshoi Ballet
3.45pm Capricorn Prince
WOLVERHAMPTON
5pm Red Evelyn
5.30pm Shadowfax
6pm At Liberty
6.30pm Bobby Joe Leg
7pm Embour
7.30pm Al Dasim
8pm Tough Enough
8.30pm Melody King
CHELTENHAM (SUNDAY)
1.10pm Red As Rust (NAP)
1.45pm Nube Negra
2.20pm Ramses De Teillee
2.55pm Dads Lad
3.30pm Iberico Lord
4pm Cape Vidal
