Paddy Power Gold Cup this afternoon

The London Paddy Power Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday (3.20) is one of those typically competitive three-year-old handicaps which features any number of improving types that could go onto make their mark in Pattern-race company later in the season. Having landed both of his starts to date this season - and with the services of Kieren Fallon in the saddle, it's hardly surprising that the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Pearly King has been installed as favourite for this ten-furlong contest. However, he made pretty heavy weather of beating Nihal at Redcar earlier this month and the latter did little to advertise the form when stone last in her only subsequent outing. Furthermore, off a mark of 90, the handicapper hasn't taken many chances with Pearly King and, at three times the price, John Gosden's Numeric, a 9/1 chance with Ladbrokes, is a far more appealing betting proposition. I'm surprised that the son of Singspiel is such a generous price given his profile. He's clearly on the upgrade and he looked suited to being ridden enterprisingly when making all to beat Mobaasher by two and a half lengths in mile and a quarter maiden at Chester's May meeting. Admittedly, the pace wasn't especially generous in that contest on the Roodee, but, apart from Criminal Act and, possibly, Arabian Sea, this race consists mainly of horses that like to come from off the pace so it's far from certain to be a particularly strongly-run race. That said, even if they were to go a decent clip, it shouldn't inconvenience Numeric too much, as he has a pedigree rich in stamina, and his action suggests that this galloping track will suit him more so than Chester's twists and turns. High Command rates a big danger having made a successful seasonal reappearance at staying on strongly to beat Soapy Danger by a neck at Leicester. Ed Dunlop's charge has been raised 6lb for that, but such a rise doesn't look prohibitive since the second and third have both won subsequently. The booking of Frankie Dettori takes the eye for Acheekyone and he merits respect, along with Beau Nash, who would need to improve to be in the shake up, but he shaped well on his reappearance and Peter Chapple-Hyam has his string in good form at present. Verdict - 1pt Numeric @ 9/1 (Ladbrokes)