2009 BET365 GOLD CUP BETTING TIPS

Hoo La Baloo, an 8 year-old French chaser is the current favourite to secure a victory at the Bet365 Gold Cup Chase at Sandown this Saturday. This is a very widely-anticipated race and is always an absolute classic. We have a really competitive field here and it gets even more interesting as you dive into things. From the off, Hoo La Baloo isn't a form horse at the moment and the tight competition between him and Lacdoudal makes this a tough proposition if you're planning to back a favourite. Hoo La Baloo hasn't won since 2007 at Ascot. Back during his stellar run in 2007, he finished second to the pure-class Voy Por Ustedes in a tough fixture at Kempton. Since then, however it's been nothing but 4's and 5's and it's compounded by the fact that he isn't exactly losing to Grade 1 competition. If this horse is expected to suddenly turn it all around at Sandown this weekend, I think you're going to jump in on a real leap of faith. Lacdoudal is a similar story. He was in really good shape two or three years ago, but just hasn't picked off any top competitors lately. He's been running against much better opposition than Hoo La Baloo finishing 6th to Wichita Lineman at Cheltenham, 8th to Nacarat at Kempton and a third palce finish against Can't Buy Time at Sandown in January. He's a quality horse who enjoys a good chase and boasts a slightly better Chase record than Hoo La Baloo. If I had a gun to my head and had to choose between them, I'd back Lacdoudal. One horse I am very exciting about in this race is nine-year old Pretty Star listed at 25/1. He scored at Ludlow back in January and in late December at Fontwell. What really encourages me though is his stellar 2nd place to Character Building in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham. He also came in fifth during the John Smith's Handicap at Aintree against a field of 17. Don't Push It won that race. In terms of lifetime winnings, he may not be as high as Hoo La Baloo or Lacdoudal, but Venetia Williams has luck on her side these days and Pretty Star is no exception. This horse brings good form against quality opposition and has run over half a dozen times so far this year, finishing in a respectable position each time. I don't see that from the two favourites and I implore you to back Pretty Star for the Bet365 Gold Cup Chase. RECOMMENDATION1. Pretty Star (25/1)2. Gone to Lunch (10/1)3. Kilbeggan Blade (16/1)