First Gold set for a Cup treble

14 April 2012

The decision to miss the Martell Grand National can pay off when First Gold bids to win the Martell Cup for the third time at Aintree tomorrow.

Francois Doumen's gelding is nearing the veteran stage aged 11, but anyone who has seen him on two runs in Britain this season will testify that he still has plenty of fire in his belly.

The first came in the King George at Kempton, where First Gold led going strongly swinging for home and kept on willingly to finish a highly creditable third behind Edredon Bleu and Tiutchev.

Doumen felt his star chaser was still short of his very best that day and duly set about getting him to peak for a crack at the Gold Cup.

His efforts proved in vain as Best Mate galloped into the history books, but First Gold's defeat at Cheltenham is easy enough to excuse.

Perhaps the frustration of being beaten aboard Baracouda in an epic Stayers' Hurdle was still annoying Thierry Doumen when the tapes went up.

He certainly rode as if his blood was up, and the effort of setting a searching gallop took its toll from the home turn as First Gold faded and was eased to be beaten over 13 lengths into fifth.

Tiutchev finished just ahead of First Gold in the King George and ran another fine race to finish third in the Champion Chase, while Hand Inn Hand will find this fast track to his liking and should run a bold race if his low jumping doesn't hold him back.

The ultra-consistent Fondmort and the enigmatic Valley Henry will also have their supporters, but First Gold (nap) gets a strong vote.

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