Matt Brocklebank turns his attention to the BetVictor Gold Cup at Cheltenham and is backing two against the field including a 33/1 chance.
You have to go back to The Outback Way’s 1999 triumph under Normal Williamson for Venetia Williams’ last and only winner of the race now known as the BetVictor Gold Cup. Her overall record in handicap chases at Cheltenham, however, is very good on the whole, the likes of Tenor Nivernais, Niceonefrankie, Aachen and Katenko all securing big-race victories at Prestbury Park in recent years.
Williams has two in the mix for this year's edition and PLAISIR D'AMOUR is a standout bet at the 33/1 on offer generally.
The five-year-old mare, brought in from France with loads of Flat and hurdles experience under her belt, has only really taken her form to a higher level since being switched to fences.
She's won three of her eight chase starts in total, all of which have been during her time with Williams, and excitingly for this weekend's assignment she clearly took to Cheltenham well on her first appearance here in a mares' event on the New Course back in April.
That impressive win came off a mark of 132, after which she ran another sound race in fifth behind Shantou Village at Sandown, beaten under four lengths after staying on late. She was kindly eased 1lb to 138 after that final run of the campaign.
Five-year-olds have found life tough in the BetVictor Gold Cup over the years but Caid du Berlais struck in 2014 and it looks a bold move to send Plaisir D'Amour straight for a race of this nature first time out.
Her trainer has been among the winners lately and obviously thinks this mare is up to the task and it's hard to argue against her versatility having won on ground ranging from good to heavy and over a range of distances.
She basically looks one of the least exposed, younger horses set to line up in this year’s field, is guaranteed a run ahead of the final decs on Thursday and represents a yard that just looks to be going through the gears now following a typically quiet summer/early-autumn.
Watch Plaisir D'Amour jump her way to victory at Cheltenham last season...
Confirmed front-runner Foxtail Hill makes more appeal than Tully East and Kylemore Lough at the head of the market, while the Colin Tizzard stable seemed to be winning big Saturday handicaps for fun this time last year and he inevitably has a likely type in Viconte Du Noyer.
It’s still a little uncertain what his optimum trip may be but he definitely caught the eye over three miles and a furlong on his comeback at Cheltenham last month and it's worth recalling he bolted up at the November meeting last year.
He goes on the shortlist but at a similar price I’m willing to back recent Ascot fourth THEINVAL (25/1 General) to get the big break he deserves.
His strike-rate over fences isn’t all that appealing (2-15) but he didn’t miss a dance last season and ran some mighty races in defeat, not least when third in the Grand Annual and second in the Red Rum.
He'd probably had enough for the year when down the field in the same race contested by Plaisir D'Amour at Sandown in April but looked full of enthusiasm before tiring late in the day on his reappearance and the assessor easing him a couple of pounds is a bonus.
Best on top of the ground but also a hurdles winner on soft, Nicky Henderson's charge looks a good option to go into one of the hottest races of the season with two improvers fighting your corner.
Sky Bet special: Either Theinval OR Plaisir D'Amour to win enhanced from 14/1 to 18/1...
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