Blaklion looking as good as Gold

Trainer nigel Twiston-Davies may be forgiven for believing the national Hunt Gods have shunned him in the last fortnight, but BLAKLION (Sandown, 3.35) can provide some respite with victory in today’s bet365 Gold Cup.

The agonising defeat of Ballyoptic in last Saturday’s Scottish national came hot on the hooves of an exasperating afternoon at aintree, when leading national fancy Blaklion was taken out by Cotswold neighbour Perfect Candidate who fell at the first.

Thankfully, Blaklion (right) has received a clean bill of health since and he looks a fair bet to give weight and a beating to a number of usual suspects, some of which are also refugees from a trip to Liverpool.

Because of his early Merseyside exit, we didn’t have the opportunity to see what the selection could deliver following the benefit of a wind operation, but at least his malaise was early in the piece and he should still be a relatively fresh horse, having only seen a racecourse four times this season.

Strangely, this is only the n i n e - y e a r- old’s second start on a right-handed track, but his other outing this way round yielded a smooth victory so that shouldn’t be an issue, and the recent rain will also play to his strengths. Houblon Des Obeaux was another on my shortlist for the Grand national so his early departure was another source of frustration in the Turner household. However, there is no reason why he shouldn’t run well at today’s venue given he has recorded a series of solid efforts at this track and he may be one of the liveliest outsiders. The same comment can be applied to course specialist rathlin rose who may not be the best handicapped horse in this prestigious event, but he has only been beaten once in four starts at this track and could well come into his own given what may prove a tough test of stamina.