DELTA TO STRIKE GOLD AGAIN

I DON’T believe (3.40) will win a Cheltenham Gold Cup on better ground as his jumping simply isn’t up to scratch but he could successfully defend his title in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown today.

Gordon Elliot’s charge is basically a slogger in the kindest sense of the word – he simply gets from one side of a fence to the other in his own way but has a real engine inside.

Last year, he merely outstayed Kemboy on the final uphill run to the line and I expect a similar scenario here.

The selection came to grief in the Savills Chase over Christmas along with Minella Indo and the latter still has to prove he can do it at the top table.

A bigger danger could come from Melon if Paul Townend can dictate the pace from the front.

(1.10) could be one of the best bets on the card.

She didn’t stay three miles two outings back but eased home to land her maiden hurdle last time out.

An opening handicap mark of just 128 looks too good to miss and she gets the vote over Dysart Diamond and Razzle Dazzle Love.

(2.10) can confirm recent course and distance form over his closest three rivals from the Christmas meet here when he lines up in the Chanelle Pharma Novices’ Hurdle.

He powered to victory from the home turn that day and should once again have too much speed for Irascible.

Finally, don’t miss the massively talented (4.40) in the mares’ bumper.

She put up a top-class time figure at Fairyhouse on her rules debut and can see off the highly regarded Hollymount.

At Musselburgh, Paul Nicholls can clean up in the big novice events with hurdles debutant (1.55) an intriguing runner in the Scottish Triumph Hurdle. Rated in the mid-80s on the flat, he has the right physical make-up for the winter game.

The Ditcheat handler can also strike in the Scottish Stayers’ Novice Hurdle with (2.25).

Unbeaten in two outings over hurdles, all this six-year-old does is stay and stay and this stamina-sapping trip should see him in an even better light.

(2.55) wasn’t suited by the stop-start pace at Market Rasen last time out when third behind the smart On The Blind Side.

He takes a severe drop in class for the Pertemps Qualifier and can give

14lbs away to the talented Prince Kayf. At Southwell, I am really interested in

(4.35).

With Fibresand form figures of 215, he acts on the surface and did well to finish so close off a soft pace last time out.

Up to a career-high rating of 82, the prolific Daafr looks worth opposing in the feature one-mile handicap with the front-running (3.05).