BETVICTOR GREATWOOD GOLD CUP - PREVIEW & TIPS

3:45 NEWBURY
BETVICTOR GREATWOOD GOLD CUP HANDICAP CHASE (PREMIER HANDICAP) (GBB RACE)

Newbury’s late-winter Premier Handicap is a sharp, high-class test that rewards accurate jumping and the ability to travel strongly off a true pace.

GREATWOOD GOLD CUP - PREVIEW

Introduced in 2004 and now run under Greatwood’s charitable banner, this race has developed into one of the most reliable mid-season markers for two-and-a-half-mile handicappers with aspirations beyond ordinary Saturday fare. It regularly draws horses who are either on the cusp of graded level, or those whose marks finally allow them to strike in a valuable pot.

This year’s renewal has a compelling mix, including a class act conceding weight at the top, an ultra-reliable market leader who has been nudged up only marginally for another big win and several who arrive with something to prove after mishaps or a recent switch back from higher grade. Pace looks healthy without being frantic, with at least one habitual front-runner likely to ensure no hiding place for anything that doesn’t jump cleanly.

GREATWOOD GOLD CUP - RUNNER BY RUNNER GUIDE

A bold-jumping, front-running type who looked better than ever when making all at Fontwell and then again over this course and distance, pulling well clear from the last. The unseat at Cheltenham is a clear negative, but it came after a significant error rather than any lack of ability and he’s had time to reset. Top weight is never straightforward in a race of this depth, yet his Newbury record and the likelihood he can control the race for long stretches make him a serious player.

Has carried proper class in the past, including Grade 2-winning novice form and his Ascot Chase third on stable debut for the Moores was better than the bare defeat suggests given the calibre of the first two. He is weighted to be competitive back in a handicap and the long Newbury straight should suit a horse who can travel and finish. The question is whether he is still as sharp over his fences as he needs to be at this level, but the setup looks ideal.

Caught the eye at Kempton when quickening clear from the last to win with authority, shaping like a horse who is still improving despite a rise in class and a stiffer mark. He travels strongly, jumps with purpose and crucially for Newbury, he can put the race to bed between the last two fences rather than relying on a late scramble. A 7lbs rise asks for another step forward, but the manner of that latest win suggests he is capable of it.

A remarkably consistent profile in valuable handicaps and arrives after a deserved Ascot win following back-to-back Cheltenham seconds. The handicapper has been fair, rather than and he looks set to run his race once again. What he lacks is obvious potential now that he’s been operating at this level for a while, but he’s solid, professional and should be bang there turning in. If anything does have a bit more than him, it will need to prove it under pressure late on.

A three-time course-and-distance winner who took this race in 2024 and is clearly at his best around Newbury. However, recent jumping mishaps are hard to ignore and even his latest completed run came in a very different environment in Grade 1 company. Back in this setting he becomes interesting again off his current mark, but he needs to put a clean round together and show he retains the hunger for a competitive handicap scrap.

A useful, likeable type who has been most effective at shorter and while he wasn’t disgraced last time, this asks him to be both sharp enough in a Premier Handicap and strong enough at the trip against deeper opposition. The claim helps and he can travel, but he looks one who may find one or two finishing too well after the second last.

A busy novice who generally jumps well and continues to give his running, most recently when a solid second at Newcastle. The concern is whether this comes a little soon again and whether he has enough in hand of his mark in a race of this quality. He should be competitive for a long way, but the finish here tends to expose anything that is just a shade below the very best handicappers.

Capable of very high peaks, as shown when landing the Cheltenham December Gold Cup from out of the handicap, but he is not guaranteed his own way in front and that makes life harder at Newbury. The pulled-up effort on New Year’s Day is forgivable if the ground was the main issue and the break since is a positive. If he gets into a clean rhythm early, he is dangerous, but he is not the simplest to place tactically in this field.

Enjoying a solid season and arrives with form figures that reflect a horse in good health. The issue is whether he has reached the ceiling of his handicap mark now, having been competitive but not quite good enough when pitched into deeper waters recently. He should travel and give you a run, yet needs others to underperform to win.

Still relatively low mileage over fences and his Newbury run earlier in the season hinted that this track could suit. However, he has been hit-and-miss in this discipline and the fall at Wetherby is a reminder that any lapse is punished in a race like this. Interesting rather than persuasive and more of a ‘capable of going well’ than a confident win proposition.

A fast-improving six-year-old who has made a bright start to life over fences, winning twice in January before a respectable defeat when going for the hat-trick. The step back up in trip makes sense given his hurdles background and he is clearly well treated at the weights relative to much of the field. The jump from 2m handicaps into a Premier Handicap at 2m4f is substantial, but he has the profile of one who could outrun his price if he settles and jumps like a horse who belongs here.

GREATWOOD GOLD CUP - FINAL THOUGHTS

This should be run at a proper tempo, with Twinjets likely to go forward and ensure the race is a genuine jumping test rather than a steadily-run affair. Newbury often rewards those who can travel into position without burning energy and then sustain their effort from three out and on good to soft ground that balance of pace and finishing strength is crucial.

Issam appeals most as the one with clear upside. His Kempton win was decisive in a way that suggested he still has more to offer and his ability to quicken off the bridle and put daylight between himself and rivals is a valuable weapon in a race where many are reliable but exposed. Twinjets is the obvious danger if allowed to dictate and jump his way into a rhythm, while Blow Your Wad brings a touch of class back to handicap company and looks well placed to get involved late. Vincenzo remains the solid benchmark, but the slight preference is for the horse who looks most likely to improve again under these conditions.

Greatwood Gold Cup TIPS