Punting angles and trainer views as Black Corton bids for Sodexo Gold Cup glory

Sodexo Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3) | 3m | 4yo+ | ITV4/SSR

After hosting Qipco British Champions Day last month, the jumps course at Ascot reverts to its usual purpose on Saturday for a classy opening card to the track’s new National Hunt season.

A bumper field of 17 tackle this highlight, which has been won by the likes of Pendra, Roberto Goldback, Massini’s Maguire and Traffic Fluide last year.

Black a beauty at Ascot

He may be carrying top weight but you dismiss Black Corton at your peril when it comes to running at Ascot – at least when there are obstacles in the way.

While the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot proved a little too much for the horse described by his besotted rider Bryony Frost as having “a funny little waddle and big ears”, over fences he has landed the Reynoldstown Chase and been second in a Listed handicap.

KEY STAT
151
The record of trainer Gary Moore in this race the last three years. He runs Larry for last year’s winning owners the Galloping On The South Downs Partnership.

Golden opportunity for Kimber

With regular rider Harry Cobden on duty in Ireland on Saturday, Ultragold provides a big-race opportunity for 7lb claimer Harry Kimber.

Kimber, who has had two winners this season, has had one ride in Graded company before when finishing down the field on Padleyourowncanoe at Sandown in February.

However, the rider has a decent record in handicap chases with five winners at an 18 per cent strike-rate and a £1 level-stake profit of £8.25.

What they say

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Black Corton and Adrien Du Pont
Black Corton went up 5lb for running so well when second in the Galway Plate, so he’s got a lot of weight. He does really like Ascot, so it wouldn’t surprise me if he ran a good race. Adrien ran well in this race last year. He’s a hold-up horse, so he needs thing to fall right, but if they do I think he’s got a good each-way chance.

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Go Conquer
He won the race two years ago and finished a good third in it last year. I’m sure he’ll run well again. The National was too far for him. Three-mile chases will be his programme this year.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Cobra De Mai
It’s going to be a challenge as he’s running off a very high handicap mark, albeit we get a little bit of weight with Black Corton being in there. This race will tell us where to go with him for the rest of the season.

Kim Bailey, trainer of Vinndication
Ascot was a slight change of plan but one we thought right due to his rating. He has had a wind op since last season and we're very happy with him.

Colin Tizzard, trainer of Mister Malarky and Ultragold
We saw that Mister Malarky was favourite or second favourite for a £100,000 handicap chase at the beginning of the week so we’ve got to run. He’s fit and well and ready to run. He progressed a lot last season. This is part of his preparation for the Ladbrokes Trophy and then the Welsh National. This is Ultragold’s prep race for the Becher Chase at Aintree early next month. We’ll see where we are with him. He seems to save his best for Aintree nowadays, but he’s got a good claimer on who takes off 7lb.

Harry Fry, trainer of Acting Lass
He only had one start last season – at Punchestown on ground that was too quick for him. The more rain the better. I hope he can go and do himself justice.

Gary Moore, trainer of Larry
He’s an interesting runner and it’s good to have horses to target at these nice races. He’s in good heart and has a nice racing weight, but I think he will come on for the race a little bit too.

Philip Hobbs, trainer of Springtown Lake
He’s in good form and we hope there’s plenty more rain down there as that will suit him.

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