Win a Load on the Paddy Power Gold Cup

The Paddy Power Gold Cup meeting is one of the national junt early season highlights & this year's feature race looks as competitive as ever, even with Paul Nicholl's running highly rated Poquelin meaning that 9 of the runners race from outside of the handicap. We've tried to find a value angle in the race along with a decent Listed contest on the all weather at Lingfield.

 (Loosen My Load has a great chance at odds of 16/1)

Starting with the Grade 3 handicap the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham it's clear that top weight Poquelin is a classy sort & this is his type of contest, having finished 2nd & 5th in the race for the last two years & having 5 chase wins at Cheltenham to his name. Poquelin was favourite for the Charlie Hall chase at Sandown last time out but could only finish 5th, that first run of the season may have been needed & he definitely has a chance here, the huge prices available seem more to do with Nicholls' other runner Mon Parrain being highly fancied & 7 pound claimer David Prichard being on board instead of Ruby Walsh, at 28/1 Poquelin offers such good value it's impossible to ignore.

The other horse we like in the contest is Henry De Bromhead's Loosen My Load, he was good enough to finish 3rd in the Jewson Novices Chase at the Festival, the 2nd that day, Wishfull Thinking, takes part here but has to carry 11 pounds more in comparison & that should allow Loosen My Load to turn that form around. He finished 2nd last time out when odds on but the winner there West With The Wind is a very progressive type & made the most of the tactical 4 runner affair. After Cheltenham Loosen My Load was good enough to finish 2nd in the Grade 1 Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse & is another that is overpriced at 16/1. Take advantage of the best prices for both Poquelin & Loosen My Load with sponsors Paddy Power or Bet365 who offer 5 places also meaning each way bets are the way to go.

Lingfield hosts the 6 furlong Listed Golden Rose Stakes & we're going for another horse at a huge price in David Evans' Norville. Rated at just 62 back in February this year & without a win until his 17th race Norville has won 6 times since then & has risen to a current rating of 97 in what has been an incredible rise, he's not won in the last 5 races but has been in some good contests including the Group 3 Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh. On official ratings Secret Asset should pick this lot up & carry them but has run some stinkers & has the outside draw which mightn't suit his running style. Norville is also drawn wide but will appreciate the return to the all weather surface & is available at a huge 25/1.

Selections:
Cheltenham 2.35 - Poquelin each way at 28/1 (Paddy Power & Bet365 offering 5 places)
Cheltenham 2.35 - Loosen My Load each way at 16/1 (Paddy Power & Bet365 offering 5 places)
Lingfield 2.50 - Norville each way at 25/1 (Boylesports & Ladbrokes)