Punch aims for knockout blow
The eight-year-old is entered in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup, Ryanair Chase and Ladbrokes World Hurdle but a place in the headline event would surely be his should he land this decent prize.
His trainer Nicky Henderson has a major fancy for the Gold Cup in the brilliant King George VI Chase winner Long Run, but Punchestowns would give the Seven Barrows handler a good second string to his bow.
Punchestowns did win his first two starts over fences last season only to disappoint in the RSA Chase at the 2010 Festival.
His head second to Pride Of Dulcote on his seasonal reappearance in dense fog at Newbury was much more encouraging however, and his owner, Judy Wilson, believes he has improved for that run.
“We were very happy at Newbury — apart from the fact we couldn’t see a thing. What a day to watch racing,” said Wilson.
“He’d been a long time off the course and he is quite a stuffy horse, so he’d definitely have wanted that run.
“The winner is a good horse and I think we were perhaps unlucky to come up against him on that particular day.
“Tatenen was third and he won last weekend, so the form is good. We’ll keep our fingers crossed.”
The Paul Nicholls-trained The Tother One makes his first start since finishing fourth in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury in November.
While not straightforward, his owner Graham Roach hopes the 10-year-old will run another big race at Cheltenham.
“We don’t really know why, but he’s always ran in snatches. He ran very well in the Hennessy,” said Roach.
“I don’t know if he really wants to do it or not, but he’s certainly got his own mind.
“He’s not dishonest, that’s just how he is, but we’ll see. It would be nice to see him run well.
“He’s a strong travelling horse, but it’s a tough race. You don’t get easy races on a Saturday.
“It’s a Grade Two and there are some very good horses in the race.”
Tom Scudamore has not lost faith in Madison Du Berlais, despite the 2008 Hennessy Gold Cup winner running a lifeless race in the King George two weeks ago.
David Pipe’s charge is without a win since the 2009 totesport Bowl at Aintree.
“He was a bit disappointing in the King George and he didn’t get very far in the Hennessy this year,” said Scudamore.
“He is on a bit of a retrieval mission I suppose, but he’s still a good horse and if he bounces back to form, he’ll run a big race.
“He seems in good form at home but he is going to have to bounce back from a lacklustre run.
“This race has thrown up surprises in the past and he’s the sort of horse you underestimate at your peril, but it is a bit of a comeback mission.
“I certainly haven’t written him off yet.”
Tidal Bay is a four-time course winner, including the Arkle Trophy in 2008 and last year’s Cleeve Hurdle.
He holds a Gold Cup entry and was last seen finishing with a flourish to get within a length and a quarter of Imperial Commander in the Betfair Chase at Haydock in November.
“We’ve freshened him up since Haydock and we know he likes Cheltenham,” said trainer Howard Johnson.
“It’s a good little race, but it’s a shame Time For Rupert’s not able to run.
“Our horse is in good order. He’s been training well and eating well, so we’ll see how he goes.”
