Horse-by-horse Guide

CAPTAIN CHRIS: - Trained by Philip Hobbs this 7 year-old will be all the rage here after winning the Arkle last season, while he’s yet to finish out of the first two over hurdles or fences. The yard won this race in 2005 and 2009, and Richard Johnson, who takes the ride, has taken the prize three times in the last six years. He’s likely to be campaigned over further later in the season with the King George (currently 9/1) and the Cheltenham Gold Cup (16/1) the most likely targets. He won over 2m5f last term, but if connections feel he’s not shinning over further or just want to avoid Long Run then they could always drop him back in trip and aim him at the Champion Chase (10/1) at the festival – a race that previous Arkle winners have an exceptional record in.

GHIZAO: - Paul Nicholls’ charge is already 2-1 up in head-to-heads with Captain Chris so based on that will have plenty of supporters today. Any further rain will be in his favour with all his best efforts having some degree of ‘soft’ in the going description. The Dicheat team also have their horses in cracking order, so may also have the fitness edge over the Hobbs horse, and, finally, Nicholls has the best recent record in the race – winning it 4 times since 1998, including 12 months ago.

MEDERMIT: - Alan King didn’t have the best of seasons in 2010/11, but the way he’s started this campaign suggests he’s ready to put the last 12 months behind him. The yard have fired in 4 winners from their last 19 runners and in Medermit he’s another that got the better of Captain Chris last season. Yes, the Hobbs horse turned the tables on him in the Arkle, beating him around 9 lengths, but he’s got a 6lb pull today and should, therefore, get a lot closer.

CORNAS: - Finished a well beaten fifth in this race 12 months ago, but did come second in 2009, behind Planet Of Sound. He’ll love any more rain, while a recent spin in France (finished second) will mean he’ll come here fitter than most as the stable look ofr some better news after their Diamond Harry was a late withdrawal from a Saturday’s Charlie Hall.

ZAARITO: - The only Irish raider in the field was a decent bumper horse a few seasons back and despite not quite progressing over hurdles does have some fair form over the bigger obstacles. A 4 1/2/ length second to Golden Silver at Fairyhouse in a Grade 2 Chase last December backs that up, and getting 12lbs from Captain Chris means he’s not totally out of it looking at the weights. Fitness will have to be taken on trust, but there’s been a bit of support for him in the betting and the fact connections bring him over suggests he should be ready to do himself justice.

OISEAU DE NUIT: - Won the Grand Annual in facile fashion at the Cheltenham Festival last season, but failed to follow that up off his new mark. For me, he seems better after a few races and in the second half of the season and although not totally out of this might be worth following in 3-4 months. He’s won on soft, but his Grand Annual win came on a much faster surface than he’s likely to get today, but his jockey does take off a handy-looking 7lbs and that could make him interesting.

BET ON THE HALDON GOLD CUP HERE