We look for another Paddy Power upset with Deyrann de Carjac
November 10
Punters traditionally find the Paddy Power Gold Cup a hard puzzle to solve, with the last 12 favourites having been beaten and only three market-leaders in the last 20 years being successful.
So Alan will be hoping that there might be another turn up in the first major handicap chase of the jumps season at Cheltenham on Saturday, with our very own Deyrann de Carjac sneaking in the last of the 16 runners.
Not only is Deyrann de Carjac running off bottom weight, but with Harry Kimber claiming the 5lb, he will have to shoulder just 9st 11lb, and the youngster’s allowance helps alleviate the 4lb rise.
It was very pleasing to see Deyrann de Carjac recapture some of his old sparkle at Wetherby last Saturday, where racing off a mark 15lb lower than when he finished down the field in this race 12 months ago, he was beaten only a neck by Ladronne.
Alan said:”It was frustrating to see him caught close home at Wetherby, but Deyrann de Carjac has come out of the race fine and as he will relish the prevailing good ground we’ve decided to allow him to take his chance.
“We also run Tuddenham Green in the JCB Triumph Trial Hurdle Trial, which kick-starts the Cheltenham programme.
“He was second in the Listed Wensleydale Hurdle at Wetherby last month, and it will be good to give him a third run over hurdles, so he can gain more experience before we put him away for a bit.”
“Our other runner at Cheltenham is Forever William in the two and a half mile handicap hurdle. He made an encouraging return at Chepstow, his first run since last April.”
Though no match for previous winner Sonigino, Forever William was staying on well at the end, and Alan is convinced he will be suited by stepping up in trip here as he got outpaced at half-way at Chepstow.
Alan will be keeping one eye on the action across at Uttoxeter as we have Theonlywayiswessex in the handicap hurdle on the Staffordshire course.
“He has improved in each of his three runs over hurdles, and if he comes forward again from his Fakenham second last month he should go well,” added Alan.
