Paint The Clouds Looks Strong In The Foxhunters

The Foxhunters Chase is sometimes colloquially referred to as being the Gold Cup for amateur riders, the field taking on the same 3m,2f trip and encountering the same 22 obstacles. The current favourite for this season`s renewal is Paint The Clouds for Warren Greatrex, the trainer looking to get his second ever winner at the Festival after his World Hurdle success yesterday. Paint The Clouds can still be backed at 5/1 at 32red and 888sport.

This Peter Deal and Robin Eynon owned 10-year-old is currently unbeaten in his last four though has only had one run out this season that being in a hunters chase at Doncaster over this 26f distance. Paint The Clouds led home a strung out field, he was a full 10 lengths clear of Quinz in second who himself was 26 better off than Best Served Cold in third. This son of Muhtarram will have to perform better than in his only other appearance at the Festival when pulling up in the Martin Pipe back in 2013. All signs say that he will be able to do this what him with coming into this race with such brilliant form and the horse looking all the better when chasing.

What`s more, Paint The Clouds will be guided by Sam Waley-Cohen, an experienced amateur jockey who gets on well with the favourite. The pair are unbeaten in their outings together and the conditions look right for this winning streak to be extended today.

On The Fringe is JP McManus` sole runner but is the current second favourite at 8/1. This price can be secured at most reputable bookmaking establishments.

This horse has twice completed the Festival Foxhunters Chase, finishing fourth back in 2011 and third last year. It`s hard to look progressive at the age of 10 though he seems find a new lease of life in these big races under Enda Bolger and in the hands of Nina Carberry, the Festival`s most successful female jockey.

What is concerning is the fact that the horse was the beaten favourite in his opener at Down Royal back in December (22f) before failing to pick up a win in a 24f spin around Leopardstown. Such form is a worry though the class of this horse should shine through, he also having a preference for this longer distance. He is also used to carrying such a big burden of weight and the conditions seem pretty perfect for him to give a good account of himself.

Ten-to-one (Numerous) says that Salsify can scoop the win for Rodger Sweeney though the horse could only manage to pick up fourth at 24f at Leopardstown after coming back from a long absence. Whether or not this Sweeney family project is the same horse as he was before his absence remains to be seen though he is a two-time winner of this race and should be respected for that reason alone. A tough type, ground will not be a problem and hearts everywhere will be hoping that he will be able to show what he can do around a course he loves.

Just behind Salsify in the market is Rose Loxton`s Current Event, available at odds of 11/1 at such bookies as 32red, 888sport, Betvictor and paddy Power. This eight-year-old picked up a 27f point-to-point Foxhunters victory at Musselburgh last time out but will have to take a mighty step up in class from that class three outing.

Other each-way chances include Paul Nicholls` No Loose Change at 20/1 (Coral), Universal Soldier for Gareth Moore at 22/1 (32red, 888Sport, Betvictor, paddy Power, Stan James) and Nigel Tinkler`s Junior at 47/1 (Betbright).

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13/03/2015     © Frixo 2026