Caspian Caviar Gold Cup Preview: Nicholls can taste more success

Paul Nicholls isn’t afraid of running a classy type in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup, with back-to-back winner Poquelin (2009 and 2010) and two-time winner Frodon (2016 and 2018) both recording top-class ratings in this race in the last decade. Nicholls is also the leading trainer in the race, tasting success five times in total.

Of his two entries in this year’s renewal, it is Secret Investor who leaps off the page. He had some solid form in novice events last season, bumping into some smart types before opening his account over fences in emphatic style at Wincanton. He finished the season firmly on the right path, too, not hard pressed to make his breakthrough in graded company in the Future Champions Novices' Chase at Ayr on his final start.

Secret Investor wins the Future Champion Novices' Chase for the @pfnicholls

A solid ride from @cobdenharry pic.twitter.com/xTejyrbps9

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) April 13, 2019

Secret Investor shaped as though he would be better for the run after seven months off when 14 lengths second to Real Steel in a Grade 2 event at Down Royal last time, ultimately doing too much too soon, his battle with Mengli Khan through the early stages leaving him vulnerable to the more patiently-ridden winner. The handicapper hasn’t taken any chances with his opening mark, but, given the potential Secret Investor has and the fitness edge his reappearance should have put on him, you would be disappointed if he wasn’t very competitive.

Brelan d’As built up a good rapport with Bryony Frost last season, winning a couple of novices, and he quickly bounced back from a mishap on his reappearance to prove himself on a good mark when finishing a neck second to Happy Diva in the BetVictor Gold Cup here last month. He proved his stamina for the longer trip in no uncertain terms that day, having every chance before making a mistake two out, and a subsequent 5 lb rise in the weights looks fair.

The favourite at the time of writing is the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Riders Onthe Storm, who looked well handicapped on the pick of his form for Tom Taaffe in Ireland but still showed improved form to make a winning start for his new connections in a competitive handicap at Aintree last time. He beat Cepage by one and three quarter lengths there and impressed with the manner in which he travelled through the contest. The handicapper has reacted accordingly by raising him 13 lb, but he remains open to further improvement for this stable and must be high on the shortlist.

RIDERS ONTHE STORM wins well on his debut for @NigelTwistonDav at @AintreeRaces with @samtwiston in the saddle!

📽️ @itvracing pic.twitter.com/qICr8AvTJD

— Timeform Live (@TimeformLive) November 9, 2019

Cepage finished runner-up to Frodon in this race 12 months ago – his only start last season – from a 12 lb lower mark and proved himself better than ever on his return to action at Aintree last month. He is worth plenty of credit for beating the rest by a long way, but he has been raised a further 8 lb in the weights for that effort and needs to prove he can build on that run now.

Not That Fuisse needs five to come out at this stage to get a run, but he would be very interesting if doing so from an opening mark of 131. Disappointing on his most recent outing at Warwick, he had previously run to a useful level on his first two starts over fences, with his four-length second to Al Dancer making him look attractively weighted here. Admittedly, he was somewhat flattered to finish as close as he did on that occasion, having a fitness edge and not ridden as positively as the principals, but he definitely left the impression he is up to winning races in this sphere. This is a different kettle of fish up against more seasoned chasers, but novices haven’t a bad record in this race and he rates the type that can go well in a race of this nature from a light weight.

Al Dancer on course for return to @CheltenhamRaces this month >>> https://t.co/KLKb6dYqZL pic.twitter.com/Dsgjjhpt50

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) November 3, 2019

There could also be more to come from Clondaw Castle, who was well backed and shaped well in a hot handicap at Ascot on his return last month. He was one of the least exposed in the field – his first run outside of novice company – and was left with every chance at the last when Diego du Charmil forced his stablemate Capeland off the course (the pair were clear at the time). That form is working out well, with the disqualified Capeland reversing the form over the same C&D next time, and Clondaw Castle can race from the same mark here.

It is also worth mentioning Benatar, who hasn’t been seen since finishing well adrift of Cyrname at Ascot in January. Gary Moore earmarked the Ladbrokes Trophy as a possible returning point for him, though he obviously wasn’t ready in time, and the form of his third-place finish to Shattered Love in the JLT Novices’ Chase in 2017/18 would give him a shout. The seven-year-old wasn’t at his best last season, but he is clearly better than that and shouldn’t be ruled out, having gone especially well when fresh in the past.

In short, Riders Onthe Storm looks a worthy favourite, but perhaps the horse with the most potential is Secret Investor, who can be backed at double the price. Paul Nicholls often targets a good one at this race and he seems sure to strip fitter for his return in a Grade 2 at Down Royal.

Recommendation:

Back Secret Investor at 8/1 in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup