Have A Cloak And A Smile

There's nothing like a bit of sunshine to throw a positive light on things, and I'm hoping that a big run from Captain Sunshine yesterday is a sign that the ailing form of the Emma Lavelle yard is close to an end. I'm sure that there's nothing Lavelle would like better than a Festival success to end her drought, and it's worth backing the talented Claret Cloak to provide her with that in the County Hurdle (14:05) today.

I've long been a fan of Claret Cloak, a handsome, near-black gelding has been considered a Champion Hurdle candidate, but has struggled with testing ground since a promising return to action at Ascot. He showed himself to be well handicapped that day, and the way he was ridden in a slowly-run Betfair Hurdle last month excuses a poor run. Overnight showers have freshened up the ground, and hopefully the heavy stuff will stay away, at least until after the County is run. The son of Vinnie Roe is my idea of an Arkle horse for next year, and needs to show he can defy a current mark of 135 if he's to meet the high expectations of his trainer. Noel Fehily, who has won on the horse on both previous occasions he's been given the ride, is a late replacement for Dominic Elsworth, and that booking is a big positive. Luck in running and the absence of a deluge are necessary components, but Claret Cloak looks a potential snip at [29] on Betfair.

The Gold Cup will attract most interest on a day when the well-being of John Thomas McNamara will be uppermost in the mind of true fans, and a place only bet of the unfashionable The Giant Bolster looks the way to go. There are questions over the main runners, with form choice Bobs Worth absent since November and my long-range fancy Sir des Champs failing to convince with his jumping this term. Silviniaco Conti is classy, but was not considered suited to Cheltenham by his trainer until recently. With a few looking overmatched, the Bridgwater runner, who has an excellent record at Cheltenham looks set to prove his second place in this race last year was no fluke.

A poor run in the King George is easy to forgive, as the demands of Kempton's circuit look wrong for the gelding, and he was short of fitness when second in the Denman Chase at Newbury, which is the race he used as a prep last year. With more to come, I see no reason why he won't run to his best. It would be disappointing if his best was good enough to win the Blue Riband, but it ought to take him onto the podium places, and that's fine by me.

Our Conor looks the class act in the Triumph, but a niggling doubt about his stamina should the race prove a test puts me off backing him, while At Fishers Cross should win the Albert Bartlett if running to the form which saw him beat The New One in January.

The Foxhunter looks destined to go the Salsify, and this 8-y-o has a much more appealing profile than the older brigade, so looks worth a bet at current odds in his bid to defend the title he won comfortably last year. Chapoturgeon, who chased him home, is best at up to 3m in my opinion, and while a downpour would be a negative for Roger Sweeney's runner, it would be a disaster for the latter.

Cheltenham Recommendations:

Back Claret Cloak in the 14:05 @ [29] (NAP)

Back The Giant Bolster for a place in the 15:20 @ [4.6] (NB)

Back Salsify in the 16:00 @ 3.95