Silverburn can strike gold
Whether your reason for supporting the gelding is - purely for the fact that he’s from the Ditcheat stable or simply because he’s a brother to Gold Cup winner Denman, there’s no denying the fact that Silverburn’s form is progressive and makes a compelling case in his favour.
On just his third outing over hurdles he won the Grade 1 Tolworth at Sandown and, after a fourth placed finish in the Sun Alliance Hurdle and a forgivable defeat at Aintree, he embarked on a chasing career.
In at the deep end for his fencing debut, he ran second to Hobbs Hill before failing to stay behind Joe Lively at Newbury. Back at two miles and five furlongs, he broke his duck by beating The Market Man comprehensively.
Connections offered the opinion that the gelding was a doubtful stayer over the SunAlliance trip at Cheltenham and his trainer was keen to run the horse in the Jewson Novices’ Handicap Chase over two miles and five furlongs.
He took his chance in the longer race but, having travelled beautifully and looking the likely winner for most of the journey, he predictably tied-up in the latter stages before finishing fourth behind Albertas Run.
The winner was given a rating of 155 for his victory while runner-up Roll Along was allotted 147. On the latter’s seasonal debut, he won the United House Gold Cup at Ascot in impressive fashion earning a mark of 158 for his troubles.
Second in the above Ascot race, Air Force One, was given the same rating as Silverburn, 143, for finishing a place behind the Nicholls horse at Cheltenham but subsequently earned a mark of 153.
With valid excuses for the subsequent defeats of Albertas Run and the return to two and a half miles very much in favour, Silverburn looks well treated off 143 and everything looks set for a huge run from the Colman O’Flynn bred gelding.
Nicky Henderson’s Barbers Shop has been strong in the market all week and he finished second behind Finger Onthe Pulse in the Jewson here in March. Rated only a pound lower than Silverburn, he’s another progressive sort but the soft ground may be against him.
His stable-companion, Fleet Street, was a staying-on fourth in the Jewson and, despite his odds, could prove best of the Henderson team. He won’t mind the ground and, for a horse that seems to run well fresh, he’s could go well at a big price.
Imperial Commander is a particularly interesting contender as he was an embryonic chaser when running well in top novice company over hurdles. In a very brief season over fences in 2007 he managed two Cheltenham successes before disappointing badly in December.
Ten lengths behind Silverburn in the Sun Alliance Hurdle, he’s another on an eye-catching rating. He would prefer better ground and may have to wait for another opportunity to exploit his rating.
Bible Lord has been the subject of strong ante-post support and the form of his trainer, Andy Turnell, is a real positive. The gelding has long been well regarded but he’s often been let down by his jumping and Prestbury Park is an unforgiving place.
Irish raider Sky’s The Limit could have been interesting on good ground while David Pipe has spoken positively of French-import Piraya. A faller last time out in his home country, he’s interesting for the future but impossible to gauge now.
Ferdy Murphy’s Three Mirrors is somewhat interesting if only for the fact that his trainer has shown time and again that he can produce them right on the big day. He beat subsequent Munster National winner Dear Villez on his final outing last year but may also be unsuited by soft ground.
Alan King’s Ouzbeck has a similar profile to last year’s runner-up Il Duce. He may have preferred faster ground but he’s young, very much in-form and may provide the each-way value for punters.
He’s expected to put up a big show but it’s a tough ask to concede ten pounds to Silverburn, who has ground, trip, weight and stable-form all very much in his favour. He’s no Denman, but today could be his Gold Cup.
