2009 PADDY POWER GOLD CUP TIPS AND TOP CONTENDERS

The ante post market for the 2009 Paddy Power Gold Cup is absolutely massive. Betfair has some stupendously solid prices and we'll be taking a look at some of the early contenders trying to track down a bit of value. In the early stages here, Poquelin carries the shortest price by a fair distance at 7.4. There isn't a huge amount of cash matched on the race so far, but there are some very enticing prices out there. Poquelin took a drop in price after scoring in the zeturf.com Handicap Chase at Cheltenham in mid-October. His partnership with Ruby Walsh has born fruit over the years with 5 wins from 11 when those two paired up. The Paul Nicholls-owned runner is a 6 year-old gelding out of Babolna by Lahint. The name on the sheet that jumped out at me right away was Queen Elizabeth II's Barbers Shop. He came 2nd in the race last year to Imperial Commander and will be looking to score again this year against what looks to be a slightly less-talented field. He came a disappointing 7th in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last year, but considering the quality he was up against, it doesn't really surprise me that much. I think this is a quality horse and if he gets the right trip will be a very strong contender. He's trading at around 15.0 right now and I expect that price to drop significantly once he actually gets confirmed. He may be pulled out the race and pointed towards the Betfair Chase or the Hennessy where he will likely face off against Paul Nicholl's Denman. I think his connections will opt for the Betfair Chase, with the Paddy Power Gold Cup being the 2nd most likely option. The 7 year-old bay gelding is out of Close Harmony by Saddler's Hall. Tatenen is another horse carrying a good price who catches the eye. He's trading at around 11.5 and he boasts the potential to be a real contender, but just didn't get the results in the earlier part of the year. Beaten by Kalahari King in the Maghull Novices Chase at Aintree last year, he followed it up with a disappointing 5th from 7 in the Swordlestown Novice Chase. He has never won a Grade 1 race, but I think he's a progressive horse. The 5 year-old bay gelding is out of Tamaziya by Lost World. My final early selection is Northern Alliance, a steely veteran who can still get it done when it counts. The multiple Grade 2 winner is currently trading at around 11.5 and is coming in fresh off a victory at Listowel in the Grade B Guinness Kerry National Handicap Chase where he bested a field of 18. He could very well factor into the final equations here, but I do think there are better horses in the race. The 8 year-old chestnut gelding is out of Lady Bettina by Naheez. My early selection for the 2009 Paddy Power Gold Cup is Barbers Shop, who looks to be a grade above this race, should he not run, I will likely be backing Tatenen.