Rather Be looks to hold outstanding claims of landing the spoils in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at Cheltenham today (1.55).
The seven-year-old hails from the in-form yard of Nicky Henderson who has won the race three times.
He showed progressive form as a hurdler when winning three times, landing an ultra-competitive Grade 2 handicap hurdle at Aintree by 1/3 a length in the last of those off a mark of 136 and has developed into a really smart chaser.
Rather Be could then not have been more impressive on chasing debut at Towcester 12 months ago when making all to easily beat War Sound by 19 lengths off an official rating of 143.
After then unseating his rider at the third next time up at Plumpton, he got back to winning ways when making all to regsiter a facile 17 length success at Fakenham.
Rather Be then ran a stormer in defeat when a head second of 18 to Mistaker Whittaker over course and distance in the Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase at the Festival off an opening chase mark of 143 where looked set for glory when jumping the last in front but got chinned in the dying strides.
The winner, to whom he was conceding 6lb, has since landed a Listed contest at Carlisle befote finishing a fine fourth in last month’s BetVictor Gold Cup here off a mark of 152, so that gives the form a solid look.
It suggests that a current rating of 149 could still underestimate Rather Be’s ability and he was in the process of running a big race off it in the BetVictor Gold Cup on seasonal reappearance when tanking along and getting brought down at the fourth last when holding every chance.
So with underfoot conditions ideal looks to have eveything going for him in this and is taken to gain compensation.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 3pts win Rather Be (7/2 bet365, Betfair, BetVictor, Sky Bet, Unibet – BOG)
