Despite a seven pounds rise for winning on his reappearance at Carlisle last month, GUETAPAN COLLONGES doesn’t look overburdened off a mark of 136 for the three miles three handicap chase on Sunday (2.20). WINNERS: AIGHEAR (15/2, 11/2), SOPHIESTICATE (11/8, 16/5), SPIT SPOT (14/1), STAY ALERT (5/1), TUXEDO JUNCTION (10/11)

Switched to fences last season, he won handsomely on his chasing debut at Punchestown (3m 1f) beating School Boy Hours (Paddy Power Chase winner) and Run Wild Fred (Troytown Chase winner and now rated 158) before following up in a Grade 3 event at Naas this time last year. The Convivial Maiden Stakes (4.45 on Friday) is the most valuable of its type in the calendar and the last two renewals have been won by subsequent Group 1 winner Naval Crown and Derby runner-up Hoo Ya Mal. With a rating of 154, the Saddex gelding has plenty to find with his two stable companions, but we still don’t know how good he is. Like Protektorat, he was bred in France by Guy Cherel and, having won his point, joined De Bromhead before winning one of his two races over hurdles. Given the office with a furlong to run, Cogitate soon took over and pulled away to record a convincing success with his rider complimentary afterwards (eighth has won since). The Hills-trained runner covered the last three furlongs in 34.02 seconds, including the sixth furlong in 10.97 seconds.A length and three quarters third in the Group 2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, he was the last horse off the bridle but hit the front too soon and was run out of it inside the final furlong (runner-up and fourth have won a Group 2 since). His run at Newbury doesn’t entitle him to go anywhere near the Festival, let alone the Gold Cup, but it should be remembered that Djakadam was a disappointing eighth in the Hennessy Gold Cup off a mark of 142 in 2014. A few months later he won the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park before chasing home Coneygree in the Gold Cup. Tony Martin has trained more winners at York than any other Flat racecourse in the UK (4 from 21). The Irish handler also has a decent record in the Sky Bet Stayers’ Handicap over two miles on Wednesday (4.10) with his two runners producing a winner and a third. Spacious Sky was placed in the 2014 version and twelve months later, subsequent Ebor winner Heartbreak City landed the prize under Franny Norton. Superb information again Mark, I managed to get some 11/4, will certainly pay for Xmas. Different class.” S.R.

Racing off a mark of 96, the Nathaniel colt conceded nine pounds to the runner-up when powering clear to win by a length and a quarter. The Crisford yard is in fine form and he should go well. TALKING TRAINERS : BEN PAULING: WINNERS : BANGERS AND CASH (6/1), DENSWORTH (13/8), HENRY’S FRIEND (2/1), JOE DADANCER (5/4), MUCHO MAS (4/1). THE JUKEBOX MAN (3/1) The Middleham operation were set to unleash another highly regarded youngster, KYLIAN, at Newmarket’s Guineas meeting a couple of weeks ago, but those plans were thwarted by soft ground on the Rowley Mile. However, the son of Invincible Spirit is unveiled the five furlongs novice stakes on Wednesday (4.45) and, if his homework is anything to go by, there is every chance he will emulate his dam Hikmaa, who scored on her debut before winning at Listed level during her first season. Royal Ascot is expected to be on his agenda next month. It is therefore significant that the ex-French gelding ZANNDABAD has been entered. A four-times winner on the level in his native country when trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, the son of Iffraaj gained his victories over nine and ten furlongs. An impressive winner of his only start on the Flat in March, he trounced eleven opponents by upwards of seven lengths in an eleven furlong maiden at Fontainebleau (Very Soft). Pulling clear inside the final furlong and a half, the form has been well advertised with the runner-up (twice), third (plus second in a Group 3) and sixth scoring since.A son of Churchill, who was acquired for 105,000gns as a yearling, he is a half-brother to the former John and Thady Gosden-trained 100-rated middle distance handicapper Grand Bazaar. Sent off 14/1 in division one of the seven furlongs novice stakes at Newbury (Good) last month, he was partnered by Hollie Doyle and the eye was drawn to this big strapping colt at halfway as he tanked through the contest. INDIANA DREAM sported the familiar light blue silks of Lord Peter Daresbury when winning an AQPS Flat race at Fontainbleau in February last year under the tutelage of Emmanuel Clayeux. A length and a quarter winner, the Cokoriko gelding was snapped up the following month by J.P.McManus and given plenty of time to mature during the summer at Martinstown Stud in Ireland. Relocated to Willie Mullins, he is a fine looking gelding and made an excellent start to his new career over hurdles at Fairyhouse on New Year’s Day. TALKING TRAINERS : SANDY THOMSON: WINNERS : BENSON (2/1 & 11/1), BLUE BALOO (10/1), CARCACI CASTLE (7/4), DONNA’S DOUBLE (100/30), EMPIRE STEEL (4/1), STORM NELSON (6/5) WINNERS: CHALDEAN (Advised @ 7/1), SHOULDVEBEENARING (5/2), BLUE FOR YOU (Advised @ 8/1), NOBLE STYLE (Advised @ 7/2), SOULCOMBE (Advised @ 6/1). GOLD DANCER, a half-brother to Betfair Hurdle and Grand Sefton Chase winner Al Dancer, is a four year old who raced a couple of times over hurdles for Arnaud Chaille-Chaille before being bought for €250,000 at the Arqana Online Sale in mid May by Gigginstown House Stud.

key) (Races in bold indicate pole position– 1 point awarded just in first race; races in italics indicate fastest lap– 1 point awarded all races; * signifies that driver led race for at least one lap– 1 point given all races) Quote: “ PREDATORS GOLD is also stationed at Closutton and he is an unraced four year old by Masked Marvel. The French bred cost €100,000 at the Goffs Land Rover Sale last year and is out of Shabby Gold. He is a half-brother to Le Ribardon who won 19 times in France.” WON the valuable Goffs Defender Bumper at the Punchestown Festival (25/4/23) @ 4/1

Thanks yet again Mark. Nice Ante post bets on Lossiemouth contributed to another wonderful Cheltenham Festival. A huge well done to you, Declan and all your contributors.” K.E. J.P.McManus has won the Triumph Hurdle twice with Ivanovich Gorbatov (2016) and Defi Du Seuil (2017) and the multiple champion owner has recruited a couple of potentially very good juvenile hurdlers from France during the spring/summer, including MAJBOROUGH. From a familiar source, namely Daniela Mele, who has supplied Grade 1 winners Capodanno, State Man and Zenta in recent years, the three year old looked a smart sort when winning on his debut at Auteuil in April. With form figures at the Cheltenham Festival of 121, there is a strong possibility that we will see the 2021 Gold Cup winner return to his best in March but there are a few question marks now surrounding Henry De Bromhead’s nine-year-old.