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THE slight surprise in the Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Cheltenham, 2.20) is that Festival Trophy hero, Protektorat, will line up under top weight of 12 stone, a mark of 167 for this valuable prize at the home of national hunt racing this afternoon as Dan Skelton bids to put plenty of prize money space between himself and Paul Nicholls and Willie Mullins before the turn of the year.

But ironically that will probably be a relief for Nicholls as it means that his Turner Novices’ Chase runner-up, Ginny’s Destiny, escapes carrying joint op weight and along with former winner Ga Law.

That in turn means that last year’s third, Il Ridoto will receive a massive 29lbs from the top weight and will race from a mark one pound lower than 12 months ago, and he is among a group of lightly weighted entries that have interesting each-way claims.

The good ground will obviously also be a huge factor in determining the outcome of this famous prize and on that front I think Irish raider LETS GO CHAMP has a distinct advantage. A cracking sixth in the Galway Plate, off a 2lbs higher mark, I suspect this has been his aim ever since that contest on the final day of July and that connections will have been hoping for a sound surface for this very lightly raced nine-year-old to experience again.

Others that came into my thoughts at big prices include at a massive price last year’s Old Roan Chase winner Jetoile and Festival Trophy Handicap Chase sixth and second last month at the Showcase meeting Weveallbeencaught, who has now moved from Nigel Twiston-Davies to master staying chase trainer Christian Williams. He looks a huge threat with absolutely no weight on his back if he once again puts in a clear round of fencing despite being a long way out of the handicap.

Many of you will want to bet on The Newest One to complete the amateur riders’ double after winning at the Showcase meeting 22 days ago. He will have to see off the second home Jimmy The Digger on worse terms, but the one both of them have to beat is surely TRANSMISSION.

A running on second to the potentially smart Hyland over the course and distance last month off a relatively slow pace, he will surely get the end to end gallop he needs here to bring his guaranteed stamina into play late on. Anything around the 7/1 mark will do for me.

Rated as high as 90 on the level, EAST INDIA DOCK (12.35) will surely prove hard to hold on the long run home in the Triumph Hurdle Trial. Despite his indifferent round of jumping, he eased home on his hurdling debut at Wincanton and this stiffer track will surely be more his cup of tea. The James Owen-trained runner is taken to account for the likes of Continuance and outsider Irisante. The last named is making her UK debut after running in some hot mares graded events in France.

The Intermediate Handicap Hurdle at 3.30 has several improvers in the line-up and the best of them on the prevailing good ground could well be BEAT THE BAT.

Harry Fry’s runner won his maiden on good ground at Ascot last year and then lost nothing in defeat when running the potentially smart Dysart Enos to two and three-quarter lengths here last season. He has any amount of scope to improve and can get the better of Fire Flyer and race fit Wyenot.

The other race at the Prestbury Park track I am interested in is the Handicap Hurdle over three miles at 2.55 where the consistent Gowell Road will be the choice of many from a percentage call.

However, he will have to be on his game as he has to give plenty of weight away and the most likely one to thwart him could well be NOBLE BIRTH. The better the ground the better the chance for this Irish raider who is a very strong stayer, and he should be tight fit for this after running a fine third in a handicap chase at Cork just over a month ago. Second in the Silver Trophy at Chepstow, Doyen Quest looks sure to relish this step up to three miles for the first time in his career and he looks well worth a saver.

Away from Cheltenham, BURRU (Navan, 12.15) is a must for your multiple bets as he bids to follow up an impressive success at Cork last time out. The selection will run off an 8lbs higher mark in a better race, but he is worth following now being firmly on the upgrade.

The highlight on the card is the Grade Two Lismullen Hurdle over an extended two miles in with four course and distance winners set to go to post including last year’s first three home. Kept over hurdles, take BOB OLINGER to once again meat out a beating to Zanahiyr and Home By The Lee. Perhaps an even bigger danger will be recent Curragh Group Three winner on the flat Dawn Rising having his first run over hurdles for the best part of two years.

Due to the good ground the fields are relatively small at Newcastle where the best wager could well be OLD GREGORIAN (2.45) in the two-mile handicap hurdle. The tip is only a pound higher than winning at Kelso and retains the tongue strap which the trainer used as the explanation for his improved run last time out at the Borders’ track.

RED SCOTCH (Wolverhampton, 7.00) now looks handicapped to run well for Mick Appleby with the visor added for the very first time so watch out for a market move for him.

Later on, SON OF MAN (8.00) making his handicap debut in this competitive class four event may take advantage of his sliding mark of just 82 under the competent Sean D Bowen.