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Racing News |
Twister Fancies Ballyfitz for the Paddy Power
11/11/09
Paddy paid a visit to Nigel Twiston-Davies at his Naunton stables this morning and, after driving the assembled media to the gallops in his double-decker bus, Twiston-Davies revealed that Ballyfitz, a 12-1 chance (from 16) with the sponsors, is his fancy for the BetVictor Gold Cup on Saturday.
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He said: Ballyfitz has the same sort of profile as Imperial Commander last year in that last season he was a novice. He won a couple of novice chases at Cheltenham and then ran badly in his last one at the same course.
But he has come back really well and the Paddy Power is the sort of race where the handicapper has not really got a hold of the horses. I don’t think that we have seen the best of him yet, he is very exciting and Ballyfitz may be the one who is not totally exposed.
Any rain will help his cause. Both his wins came over three miles, but he always travels well and there is no reason to think that he needs three miles. I am very keen on his chances and he is a real battler who jumps well and a look at his record shows that he loves Cheltenham.
Paddy gave Twiston-Davies a 500 charity bet which he put on the nose on Ballyfitz at the morning odds of 16-1.
The trainer also intends running Knowhere, a 33-1 chance with the universe’s friendliest bookmaker, in the Paddy Power.
He added: Tom Molloy will take 5lb off Knowhere’s back, but he is a bit in the grip of the handicapper. He was third in the race two years’ ago and why shouldn’t he be again?
He’s got a chance and maybe he might bring Tom into the spotlight this weekend.
PADDY POWER GOLD CUP
MansionBet , sponsors, bet: 6-1 Chapoturgeon, 7 Poquelin, Tarotino, Tranquil Sea, 8 Tatenen, 9 My Petra ,10 Northern Alliance, 12 Ballyfitz, 14 Tartak, 16 Watch My Back, Bible Lord, From Dawn To Dusk, According To Pete, 20 Akilak, Im So Lucky, 25 Hold Em, Three Mirrors, Jaamid, 28 Our Vic, Il Duce, Pop, Gaelic Flight, 33 Knowhere, Leslingtaylor, 40 Commemoration Day, Island Life
Meanwhile Twiston-Davies will also run two in the paddypower.com Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on Friday.
He said: Tramantano and Nikola will both run. The former was in the form of his life at Liverpool, while Nikola is a lovely horse who always finds one too good. There are very few races for him, but he is going and could surprise everybody.
The trainer also intends running Khyber Kim in Sunday’s Greatwood Hurdle for which he is a 20-1 chance.
He said: Khyber Kim has never filled his potential ever. But he does run well first time and that is the time to watch him. I am expecting a huge run and this is his Gold Cup first time.
He lost his form and was patchy last season, but then ran a big race in the Swinton Hurdle at Haydock. It’s a mental thing and like the rest of us, he doesn’t want to do more work than he has to.
GREATWOOD HURDLE
MansionBet bets: 5-1 Harry Tricker, 7 James De Vassy, 8 Raise Your Heart, Silverhand, 9 Ronaldo Des Mottes, 10 Medermit, 12 Mamlook, 14 Cockney Trucker, Starluck, Nampour, Squadron, 16 Salute Him, 20 Red Moloney, Simarian, Khyber Kim, Issaquah, European Dream, Secret Tune, 25 bar
Twiston-Davies also had news of last year’s Paddy Power Gold Cup hero Imperial Commander.
He said: He will run in the Betfair Chase, but he doesn’t want it too soft. He seems in very good form. Last time at Punchestown, he pulled too hard in very heavy ground and didn’t get home.
Haydock is an easier track and it will be better ground hopefully and I’m hoping for a big run.
He would have a very good chance in the Ryanair Chase, but Kauto Star and Denman won’t do it forever so we’ll play it by ear with the Gold Cup in the back of our minds.
It will be a big test in the Betfair Chase, and if he can’t live with Kauto Star we’ll find out.
Imperial Commander is 9-2 second favourite for the Ryanair Chase with Power, while he is a 20-1 chance with the Dublin bookie for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Nigel is also looking forward to Pettifour, who could turn into a serious player for next season.
He said: He may be the horse that we are talking about for next year’s Paddy Power Gold Cup and he is a very exciting horse.
