April 25 - Today (Saturday, April 25) many of Great Britain's best National Hunt horses will run over 3 miles 5 furlongs in the prestigious GBP165,000 Bet365 Gold Cup Chase at Sandown Racecourse in England, and one of the entrants to watch out for is 8-year-old Paul Nicholls-trained horse, Hoo La Baloo.

As one of the most highly anticipated jump horse races in the British Isles, the Bet365 Gold Cup Chase regularly attracts top competition which is why Paul Nichols reportedly has such a big dilemma on his hands. It seems that to save 5lbs in weight, the trainer is prepared to swop out champion jockey, Ruby Walsh.

Said Walsh, 'Hoo La Baloo's weights 9lb less than last year, when he came home in third. He's in good order and this has always been the target. He's not the biggest horse and we could easily take 5lb off with Harry (Skelton, a jockey entitled to a weight claim) and switch Ruby Walsh to New Little Bric.'

At this level of racing, and with 24 strenuous jumps to contend with, 5lbs could mean the difference between winning and losing a race. However, the GBP165,000 question Nichols is asking himself is whether 5lbs less weight is indeed the better option than Walsh's well-proven talent, expertise and experience.

That said, despite only being 19-years-old, Harry Skelton has already chalked up some notable wins during his career. The most recent of which was an impressive victory aboard Niche Market in the coveted Irish Grand National a couple of Saturdays ago at Ireland's Fairyhouse Racecourse in county Meath.

But whoever Nichols picks to ride Hoo La Baloo today, one thing is for sure and that is he'll have some strong competition to contend with. One of his biggest rivals will no doubt be Sandown specialist Lacdoudal, who has triumphed twice and placed three times in his last six outings at this famous racecourse.

Another threat could be Oodachee entered by ex-jockey turned trainer, Charlie Swan, who managed a not-too-shabby second place behind Irish Raptor at the Grand National meeting held earlier this month at Aintree Racecourse. Bowleaze should not be discounted after winning two out of three races at Sandown.

Open an account with Bet365 today and bet on horse racing around the world.

Other Articles:

Peter Moody Eyes Second Derby Victory - 04-29-09

Quality Road Scratched from 09 Kentucky Derby - 04-28-09

Kentucky Derby Works on Sunday Impress - 04-27-09

Kentucky Derby Workouts Bode Well for Godolphin - 04-27-09

Vision And Power Set for Queen Elizabeth Stakes - 04-25-09

Churchill Downs Spring Meet Kicks off Saturday - 04-24-09

Unbridled Roman to Bounce Back for Snow Chief Stakes - 04-24-09

Silver City to take on Derby Trial on Saturday - 04-24-09


2012/04/02 06:43:56 AM