Canyon looks grand wager in Neptune

GOLD Cup contenders of the future will strut their stuff in tomorrow’s RSA Chase.

At the time of writing, trainer Willie Mullins held the key to this contest with no less than five entries.

The indications were that he was leaning towards running Don Poli, who would have an obvious chance, but I was hoping he might also give the nod to Valseur Lido, who impressed in a narrow defeat in Ireland last time and is crying out for a step up to three miles.

England boasts two powerful challengers in Coneygree – who also has a Gold Cup entry – and Kings Palace. But both these excellent jumpers like to set the pace and I would be worried about them cutting each others throats and leaving them vulnerable to a stout stayer.

The opening Neptune Novices’ Hurdle looks another Mullins’ benefit and one which can go to his tough and progressive Nichols Canyon.

This former decent Flat campaigner jumped well when making all in a decent contest at Leopardstown last time and can confirm the form with second-placed Windsor Park.

The Coral Cup boasts a huge field and any number of ‘plot’ horses.

One of them could be Jonjo O’Neill’s Goodwood Mirage, who has been beset by a series or misfortunes and, as a result, finds himself well handicapped – at the admission of his trainer.

The Glenfarclass Handicap Chase over the cross-country fences is not my idea of a punting opportunity, although there is certainly confidence behind French raider Toutancarmont.

The Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle is almost as difficult as the Coral Cup, so Arabian Revolution is only a tentative selection, and the same applies to David Pipe’s Moon Racer in the concluding Weatherbys Champion Bumper.