Pipe sweet on Piraya’s chance in Power Gold Cup
The Nicholashayne trainer unleashes the French import on to the British scene in the prestigious handicap chase – a race he has yet to win but one his father Martin collected eight times.
Owned by Terry Neill, Piraya joined the Nicholashayne string from Arnaud Chaille-Chaille after a run at Auteuil in June.
“He is the potential dark horse in the race. He is rated 147 and we will know after the weekend whether that is stiff or not,” said Pipe.
“He has got form over two and a half miles on soft ground and that will be perfect for Saturday. He has got a good attitude and we like him a lot.
“He is only a five-year-old, is lightly raced, and he seems to have taken well to the English fences.
“He is one the bookmakers should be wary of, and I would be wary if I was in their shoes.”
Piraya is a 14-1 shot with the sponsors who have the Paul Nicholls-trained Silverburn as the market leader at 7-2.
The closest Pipe has come to winning this race was in 2006 with Vodka Bleu, who is one of his three other possibles along with Abragante and Pauillac though those two may not make the cut.
Of Vodka Bleu, the trainer added: “He’s been a star for both me and dad and as he’s got older he’s got wiser.
“We put blinkers on him last year and that did the trick. He’s in really good form and has retained all his enthusiasm at home.
“He’s now high in the handicap and will need to put in a career-best effort to win, I think there are others in the race who are better handicapped but two and a half miles around Cheltenham is ideal for him.
“He won’t mind any rain that falls, has good form first time out but could just do with a pound or two off his back.”
Peter Bowen was delighted to see Yes Sir return to form with a 19-length success at Wetherby recently, but the Haverfordwest trainer would like the rain to stay away.
“He seems in good form and it was great to see him win at Wetherby,” said Bowen.
“Let’s hope it doesn’t rain all week. The forecast doesn’t look that good, but I plan to run him and he’s got in the race now thanks to that win.”
The going at Cheltenham is currently described as soft, good to soft in places.
Paddy Power Gold Cup betting:
Coral: 7-2 Silverburn, 7-1 Imperial Commander, 8-1 Barbers Shop, Ouzbeck, 9-1 Jack The Giant, 10-1 Don’t Push It, Maljimar, 12-1 Ashley Brook, Bible Lord, 14-1 Piraya, 16-1 Mahogany Blaze, Possol, Reisk Superman, Vodka Bleu, 20-1 bar.
Paddy Power: 7-2 Silverburn, 7-1 Imperial Commander, 8-1 Jack The Giant, 9-1 Maljimar, Ouzbeck, 10-1 Don’t Push It, 12-1 Bible Lord, 14-1 Piraya, 16-1 Ashley Brook, Stan, 20-1 bar.
Cashmans: 3 Silverburn, 7 Imperial Commander, 8 Jack The Giant, 9 Ouzbeck, 10 Maljimar, Don’t Push It, 14 Bible Lord, Piraya, 16 Ashley Brook, Stan, 20 Bar
