Don’t mess about Muddle chance

Not Another Muddle can offer a simple solution to the William Hill Supporting Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Newbury tomorrow.

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 under-rated.

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 pre-Cheltenham 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 and Le Breuil are the selections