DOUBLE HANDFUL

THIS year’s renewal of the BetVictor Gold Cup at Cheltenham over 2m4f looks more competitive than any sport I play with my brother. We do laugh at how competitive we get — but I laugh more.

There are several horses I can see winning this and experience tells me I’d be a fool to rule out the ones I can’t see winning it. Harry Fry’s Kylemore

Lough sits at the head of the market but he’s not a horse I’ll be backing in a hurry.

Victory in the Grade 1 Ryanair Gold Cup at Fairyhouse is an impressive piece of form but that came back in March 2016.

His four subsequent runs (including two at today’s track) have been less than impressive and, given he’s top weight with 11st 12lb, it’s easy enough for me to look elsewhere for a bit of value

It’s worth noting that seven of the last 10 winners have carried under 11st.

In-form Paul Nicholls has two good

horses lined up in Romain De Senam and Le Prezien — he also has a decent record in this race. If either of the aforementioned horses taste victory it means he’ll have won it three times in the last six years. Le Prezien goes on any ground but his best form to date has come over shorter trips and that’s why my preference is for his stablemate. ROMAIN DE

SENAM is a progressive fiveyear-old who looks to have improved beyond all recognition this season. Two wins from two starts last month at Chepstow and at Stratford (six days later) saw him rise another 6lb in the weights, which admittedly is a concern. Those victories came on good to soft ground, with the win at Stratford over today’s distance. He’s the type of horse who prefers to come off the pace with a late run and I’m hoping he can pick off his rivals in the run-in. At the price he represents great each-way value.