Does Paul Nicholls have another likely type in bid for tenth Greatwood Gold Cup?

Saturday: 1.50 Newbury
BetVictor Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3) | 2m4f | 5yo+ | ITV/RTV

This race was won in its inaugural year (2004) by Isio, who had previously beaten subsequent Champion Chase winner Azertyuiop in the then Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot. Isio finished second to Moscow Flyer in the Grade 1 Melling Chase at Aintree on his next start.

That set the tone for what has tended to be one of the classier two-and-a-half-mile handicap chases of the campaign and Paul Nicholls has often targeted this race with runners who have been competing in Graded races, but had come up short when tested at the top level.

Of Nicholls' remarkable nine winners, seven had previously competed in a Graded chase and they had similar profiles to Tamaroc Du Mathan, who appears to have been laid out for this.

In his Racing Post stable tour at the start of the winter, Nicholls nominated a 'Gold Cup' for several of his horses. Greaneteen's was the Tingle Creek, which he won, while Yala Enki didn't miss the target in the Portman Cup. Nicholls actually termed that as his 'Gold Cup'.

Nicholls didn't mention this race directly for Tamaroc Du Mathan, but it doesn't take too much of a leap to think this is his one. He has run only three times this season and probably needed his last run when fifth at Sandown. That was after three months off and wind surgery.

That run also came at the start of February, when the Nicholls yard was going through a well publicised quiet spell, but that is well and truly over now. He is firing in winners everywhere.

Nicholls' other runner, Amour De Nuit, lacks any Graded chase form and looks the stable's second string, so maybe the danger comes from the progressive pair Dublin Four and Farinet.

Dublin Four won in a good time over course and distance (Topspeed 122) in November but didn't look a winner when falling at Ludlow at Christmas. So, if the ground stays soft, Farinet may be next best for Venetia Williams, who won this on heavy going with Shangani in 2014.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

'It makes sense to try here'

Glen Forsa will bypass the bright lights of the Cheltenham Festival in just over a week with connections eager to exploit what they believe is a better opportunity for the ten-year-old to follow up his first win in three years.

Charlie Longsdon said the decision to target Newbury after last month's Musselburgh win was an obvious one.

"We could've gone to Cheltenham with him but he'd have been a 25-1 shot in an extremely competitive race there," he said. "This is still a strong race but we'’re 5-1, so it makes sense to try here instead. There's good prize-money and good opportunities around Cheltenham, so you have to look at them."

Charlie Longsdon: opted for Newbury over CheltenhamCredit: David Carr

Glen Forsa drops back in trip in the Greatwood Gold Cup with Longsdon thinking 2m4f is a better distance for the horse on softer ground, while he is hopeful the ten-year-old will have benefited mentally from winning last time out.

"I'd say he wants three miles in good ground and shorter on softer going," Longsdon said. "His win last time was his first in three years but hopefully it'll help with his confidence and he can be competitive."

What they say

Ben Pauling, trainer of Kildisart
He's looking great and I'm pleased with the way he's going. He always takes his first run to strip fit and this is a competitive race. Over this trip it's going to be a big ask for him to be winning it, but I hope he can be competitive and it's all about qualifying for Aintree.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Amoola Gold
He is highly consistent and has run well at the track before, finishing second. He always competes in these races and runs well in them. Hopefully, a good run is on the cards and although saying he can win off this mark is a bit ambitious, the 5lb Jack [Andrews] takes off will help.

Fergal O'Brien, trainer of Paint The Dream and Dublin Four
Paint The Dream's a solid horse and he has been brilliant all year. He was a bit quiet last time but he's in good form. Dublin Four looks to have a nice weight and this race has been the target for him all along. Ideally, I'd like the ground to be a bit better for both of them.

Alan King, trainer of Senior Citizen
He is warming up for the Topham Chase. He had the same prep last year, finishing fourth in this. You don't want to go to Aintree without a run.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Tamaroc Du Mathan and Amour De Nuit
Tamaroc Du Mathan had a tie forward operation after he ran in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree and we needed a run before this race, so Sandown fitted in nicely. The more the ground dries out the better for him, and it'd be the same for Amour De Nuit. He won at Musselburgh last time when it was a race for good prize-money but was probably quite ordinary. He went up 7lb for that, so he's got a stiff task in this race.
Reporting by Peter Scargill

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3.15 Kelso: Nicky Henderson warns 'Buveur D'Air will come on an awful lot for the run'

Big-race analysis: can Buveur D'Air defy top weight and raise the roof at Kelso? (Members' Club)

3.30 Meydan: 'I think he's a big player' – Godolphin trio take on Lord Glitters in Jebel Hatta

Watch the Racing Post Cheltenham preview show from 6pm on Sunday, March 6, live on the Racing Post YouTube channel. With expert opinion and top tips from guests including Tom Segal, Paul Kealy, David Jennings and Katie Walsh, it's the ultimate preview for the biggest four days of the year.