Man on the spot this weekend as Gold Cup Sale returns

Goffs' return to Newbury two years ago with a new boutique competitor on the point-to-point auction circuit has been beginning to show results, not least with a Grade 1 contender this weekend.

That a smart horse can come in different shapes and forms – and not necessarily for a giant six-figure sum – is epitomised by the exploits of Ol Man Dingle, a bit of a star for Eoin Griffin's small yard who bids to build upon the perfect start to his career over fences from a Grade 3 at Cork into even more exalted competition in the BAR 1 Betting Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse.

The son of Ol' Man River, who was beaten a neck on his only start for Harley Dunne at Lingstown, was unsold for £65,000 at the inaugual Goffs Coral Gold Cup Sale in 2023 and has never looked back while a similar case applies for another of Sunday's runners.

Westerner gelding Home Made Hero was knocked down for £80,000 at last year's renewal to Ed Bailey after winning a maiden for Warren Ewing at Moig South a few days prior. Now owned by John Perriss with the Kim Bailey and Mat Nicholls team, the strapping individual could not have been more impressive in winning in miserable weather on his debut for the yard at Uttoxeter late last month and he has been declared to bid to double his tally in a novice hurdle at Leicester.

While Kindly Prince, the £320,000 top lot 12 months ago, has not been sighted since that day, the £190,000 Dan Skelton and Ryan Mahon purchase Real Quartz is another to have been out and about this winter. Running for Ged Mason and Sir Alex Ferguson, he maintained the impression he had made on one start for Sam Curling in barely coming off the bridle at Carlisle recently. 

It will be a short and select affair in the ring straight after racing, with a catalogue of 20 reduced by a couple of withdrawals so far.

Four-year-old debut winners in good events in Ireland, as ever, tend to be the most sought-after commodities. A Sight To See (lot 11) looked very polished for Paul Pierce at Lingstown a week ago, while similar comments apply to Patrick Farrell's Lord Du Gouet (4) at Moig South, Aidan Fitzgerald's Queens Charm at Knockmullen House (3) and the Mick Goff representative, Dromahane scorer Red Acres Max (2). As recent results have proved, however, there could be a diamond lurking anywhere on the list.

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