No confusion over chance for Not Another Muddle

Nicholls eyes 10th win in Gold Cup

NOT ANOTHER MUDDLE can offer a simple solution to the William Hill Supporting Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Newbury.

This Grade Three handicap provides a brief detour from the Cheltenham chatter, already busy building up to its famous roar on March 10.

As such, it is often a fertile hunting ground for a top trainer who has plenty of extra ammunition at his disposal to pick up a handsome prize with a horse who might be a stable star elsewhere, but is not necessarily destined for the Festival.

Paul Nicholls very obviously fits that bill, and it is therefore no surprise to learn he has already won the race nine times and has three more shots to fire this time – including last year’s winner San Benedeto.

They are all respected, along with several others, but inevitably will be short enough in the market.

On that basis, Not Another Muddle looks a value alternative.

Gary Moore’s lightly-raced nine-year-old does have entries at the Cheltenham Festival – where he was a slightly clumsy but nonetheless honourable fifth in the ultracompetitive Grand Annual last season.

The Cheltenham ground was close to good that day, and even quicker when Not Another Muddle was second to another sound Nicholls yardstick Romain De Senam on his only run since – at Fontwell in April.

Moore, who is adept at having his horses ready after a lay-off, has proffered the opinion that Not Another Muddle may not be especially well-handicapped.

That could be a touch of insurance pessimism from a very canny trainer, however, and this intermediate trip and likely soft ground should play to the strengths of a horse who is conversely perhaps underrated.

Elsewhere on the card, ELUSIVE BELLE is another almost certainly well capable of winning from her current mark.

Nicky Henderson has chosen the MansionBet Proud To Sponsor British Racing Handicap Hurdle for her preCheltenham return after a light season so far in which she has run well in good company on both starts – including over course and distance behind illustrious stablemate Epatante,

At Doncaster, CILL ANNA has an obvious chance in the 888Sport Take ‘Em On Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.

Nicholls’ five-year-old has Festival pretensions next month – but she is potentially better at this stayers’ trip , and definitely has the form credentials to go close at Listed level.

On the all-weather at Lingfield, the returning RAAEB may be worth an interest in the Listed Ladbrokes Home Of The Odds Boost Spring Cup Stakes.

Saeed bin Suroor’s colt made a fine impression in a brief turf campaign late last autumn, successful first time at Doncaster and then a clear, if soundly beaten, second when failing to concede the penalty to a stillunexposed winner.

Raaeb won again on his Polytrack debut at Kempton and then ran well in defeat at Wolverhampton in December. After a break, he could well be up to this useful standard.

ROYAL BIRTH is back for more in the Betway Casino Handicap, having looked a likely winner until late on over course and distance a week ago – and SMILE A MILE may enjoy a happy return in the Bombardier British Hopped Amber Beer Handicap, down in trip after finishing second here last time. SELECTIONS DONCASTER: 1.50 Blackjack Kentucky, 2.25 Jerrysback, 3.00 Cill Anna, 3.35 Yalltari, 4.10 Firak, 4.45 For Pleasure, 5.20 Frascato Bello.

KELSO: 1.37 Beat Box, 2.12 Dali Mail, 2.45 Cheddleton, 3.22 Saint Xavier, 3.57 Black Pirate, 4.32 Skipping On, 5.07 Ask The Weatherman. NEWBURY: 12.55 Ashutor, 1.30 Aliandy, 2.05 Le Rocher, 2.40 Elusive Belle, 3.15 NOT ANOTHER MUDDLE (NAP), 3.50 Karakoram, 4.25 Master Tommytucker, 5.00 Staithes.

DOUBLE: Not Another Muddle and Cill Anna.