David Pipe’s Palace the King of the Cheltenham TV tips
Published:
Two-time course winner Kings Palace has the chance to avenge his unexpected Cheltenham capitulation at the 2014 festival in the novice chase on Paddy Power Gold Cup day – and news.ladbrokes.com have napped him.
Elsewhere on a glorious card, potentially well-treated horses are the order of the day, including a NB some 21lbs better off than he was when third at Prestbury Park last December.
David Pipe took this contest with chase debutant Our Father in 2012 and his Kings Palace receives 5lbs from all comers as he bids to follow suit.
Looking every bit the Cheltenham aficionado before bombing in the Albert Bartlett at this year’s Festival, he came home 18l to the good of the re-opposing Creepy in a hurdle race over course and distance last October.
The best-rated horse in the race by a clear 5lbs over the smaller obstacles, he has reportedly schooled very well in the build up to his fencing bow.
This race has a habit of going the way of those towards the foot of the handicap, with just two of the last nine runnings won by those weighted above 10st10lbs.
Nigel Twiston-Davies’ veteran is sufficiently loved by the racing public to have spawned his own parody Twitter account and he’s set fair to give his admirers a bang for their buck having tumbled down the ratings.
Having finished third to Monbeg Dude on soft ground over 3mf1 at last year’s International Meeting off 134 he competes here off a mark of 123.
Further relief from the handicapper is forthcoming in the 10lb claim of jockey Jamie Bargary –
who rode him to a narrow second last time out – meaning ‘Pidge’ effectively goes of 113 here.
He may not be one of the pre-race hype horses but Paul Webber’s nine-year-old has plenty of handy form with the market principles.
John’s Spirit, Easter Meteor and Attaglance were all 12l or more in arrears when the JP McManus-owned gelding finished second in last year’s December Gold Cup.
Cantlow is better off at the weights with all three (two by at last 7lb) and has finished placed in handicap company in both his completed runs round Cheltenham.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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