AND so the real National Hunt season begins this weekend with the Paddy Power meeting, and the PP Gold Cup (2.15) looks as competitive as ever with 20 runners projected to go to post. The new Paul Nicholls’s in mate, Simply The Betts, would be interesting if he could rediscover his Cheltenham Festival success form again, but he is clearly second best from the yard for which Lalor who is similarly well weighted on his old form.

Formerly with Kayley Woollacott, he was rated as high as 153 in his pomp, but following a 441-day break was pulled up twice last season. A new rating of 149 is clearly no gimme, but offers more than a glimmer of light to connections, but to my eyes there are better wagering prospects among the light weights.

Last year’s second, Spiritofthegames, is weighted to reverse form with his conqueror Coole Cody and is likely to be better suited to these faster conditions than the 2020 hero.

But right down the bottom of the weights, NIETZSCHE makes a deal more appeal at a much bigger price. The Brian Ellison charge was only eighth in the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last year when he was on and off the bridle through most of the race, before coming back strongly on the bridle coming down the hill. Just as he looked a huge threat to the leaders the tank over the stiff three miles and simply emptied out and he wasn’t given too hard a time in the closing stages by Cam Hardie.

Given a lovely blow out on the flat last month, he will be tight fit for this big assignment and a pound lower than his run in March. He gets the vote over Paul Nicholls’s duo and the lightly raced Dostal Phil from the red hot Philip Hobbs yard.

Among the supporting races on the card, I fancy a huge run from FORZA MILAN in the amateur rider’s handicap chase at 1.05. It is true that his strike is pretty poor over fences, but his shrewd trainer has campaigned him at a higher level than this and he is taken to see off the likes of top weight Opposites Attract and the unexposed Another Venture.

Back up to three miles, Sporting John looks interesting off a mark of 146 in the Listed Paddy Power Games Handicap Hurdle at 2.50. This race though could merely be a stepping stone back to fences and to give him confidence. 

Bottom weight Kansas City Chief should ensure a fast pace throughout and is not without a chance on his favoured surface.

But the vote goes to BALLYMILLSY who had a 7lbs penalty to contend with following his thoroughly professional and smooth seven-and-a-half length success in a class two event at Newton Abbot. There should be a load more to come from this lightly raced five-year-old.

MAGISTRATO was hugely impressive at Chepstow on his British debut and there looks sure to be more to come from him. Upped in grade he will need a substantial step forward to land the JCB Juvenile Triumph Hurdle Trial at 12.30.

Later on at the Prestbury Park track, GOWEL ROAD (nb) runs over what looks his optimum trip in the 2m5f handicap hurdle at 3.25, while the Listed bumper finale may go the way of the Milton Bradley trained FIRE LAKE who has experience on her side following a smooth win at Taunton.

The hugely likeable PYLEDRIVER returns to the track in the Churchill Stakes at Lingfield (3.40) before his globe-trotting campaign begins. Connections have already suggested he will badly need the run, but he is so far ahead of the ratings and so should still be good enough to beat last year’s winner Dubai Warrior and the consistent Fox Tal. 

In receipt of 3lbs from the evergreen Judicial, HARRY’S BAR looks the value call to land the Golden Rose Listed Stakes at 3.05.

The selection should get the rapid pace up front that is essential for him as he races very freely, but once he gets into a rhythm he will be very hard to hold coming down the short home stretch. But the best bet on the card could come in the two mile handicap at 2.30 where SEVERUS ALEXANDER has been given a real chance by the assessor. 

It was only some eight months ago that he was rated off a mark of 70, but following a series of moderate efforts the five-year-old is now down to 56. Yes, he needs to rediscover some form, but this looks a very moderate contest and of course the betting moves will tell us plenty about his chance in what looks a very winnable contest.

Elsewhere, MAGIC DANCER can make the most of the 11lbs he is set to receive from Cornerstone Lad in the two-mile handicap chase at Wetherby at 12.50 and later on that card, course and distance winner SIGURD should be ready to pounce in the 3.45, after running well to a point in a course and distance contest at the back end of last month. He obviously went to post needing the run that day (went off at 20/1) and down 3lbs in the weights he gets a hefty weight concession from those at the top of the market and weights making their seasonal debuts.

Finally on the flat at Wolverhampton, have a second look at NUBLE (nap) in the extended nine furlong handicap at 4.30 and WEDDING DANCE in a conditions event at 7.00.