Vodka a tonic for bullish Pipe
Murphy was successful on Our Vic for the Pond House team 12 months ago and news he will be on Vodka Bleu on Saturday has seen the gamble on David Johnson’s charge gather further momentum.
Vodka Bleu has been cut to 5-1 (from 6s) with the sponsors .
Pipe, who will also be represented by Tamarinbleu, said: “It’s two years since he’s been on a racecourse but it’s fantastic to get him back so close to a run.
“He banged a tendon on his last run and we had to give him the time he needed to come back fit and well.
“He is our number-one hope for the Paddy Power and has a nice, low weight.
“By the looks of it, Taranis will end up with top weight and we can’t complain about that.
“He had a gallop at Exeter last week which went very well and told us we have him where we want him.
“You look at his form and it’s top class, beating Fundamentalist and See You Sometime when the first-named horse was the one everyone was talking about.
“Timmy Murphy will ride him but with Tamarinbleu we are waiting to get the best jockey we can.”
Tamarinbleu boasts high-class form as a novice including a narrow defeat by Accordion Etoile at the Open meeting last year.
Pipe was equally bullish about his chance and said: “He’s been brilliant for us. He’s run in all the top races and goes extremely well fresh.
“We considered the Haldon Gold Cup but decided to wait for the Paddy Power and I’m glad we did. He’s only six and has strengthened-up.”
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Tighe Caster looks set to get a run and be in the handicap proper after not being guaranteed a place at the five-day stage.
However, it now looks as though the six needed for him to get in a maximum 20-strong line-up will come out.
While he is currently 2lb wrong, the weights look set to go up again by at least 5lb bringing him in the handicap proper at 10st 3lb.
“I knew he was 2lb wrong but an extra 5lb would be fine,” said Bowen, who confirmed that Tom O'Brien would take the ride.
“The two miles four and a half furlongs at Cheltenham should be right up his street.”
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The going at Cheltenham for the three-day Open meeting is expected to turn to the softer side of good by tomorrow’s opening card, according to officials.
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Paddy Power Gold Cup
Sponsors bet: 4-1 Taranis, 5-1 Vodka Bleu, 10-1 Copsale Lad, Kandjar D'Allier, 12-1 Chlling Place, Too Forward, 14-1 Graphic Approach, Knowhere, Tamarinbleu, 16-1 Tumbling Dice, New Alco, 20-1 bar.
