Robert Thornton hopeful Tarotino can land the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham

Nov 10 2009 by Chris Wright, Liverpool Daily Post

ROBERT THORNTON is hoping he can finally land the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham this Saturday aboard Alan King’s Tarotino.

Thornton was third on King’s Kandjar D’Allier in 2005 and finished second on Il Duce two years later.

Tarotino fired in three Chase successes earlier in the year at Doncaster, Kempton and Bangor and is set to make his seasonal reappearance in Saturday’s Grade Three handicap.

The seven-year-old was among the 26 entries at yesterday’s five-day declaration stage and is currently vying for favouritism and is a general 7-1 chance.

Thornton is confident Tarotino can run a big race in 2m4f contest. He said: “He’s been very good at home and although I’ve not ridden work on him, I’ve been told that he’s been going well.

“Schooling-wise I popped him over six to nine fences the other morning and he jumped very well as he always does.

“Hopefully he’s still progressing, two and a half miles is absolutely spot on for him and he wouldn’t want it too soft.

“He is definitely up there with Il Duce and Kandjar D’Allier and every bit as good as them.

“I am going there pretty hopeful, but it’s ironic that we’ve been begging for rain for racing and now we could do with it being dry this week!”

Paul Nicholls’ Chapoturgeon is currently favourite at 6-1 with most firms and he is one of three entries from the champion trainer along with Poquelin and Tatenen.

David Pipe’s Our Vic heads the weights. The 11-year-old, a dual Grade One winner who landed the Paddy Power in 2005, will have to carry top weight of 11st12lb. He may be joined by stable-mate I’m So Lucky.

Meanwhile leading fancy Tranquil Sea is also lined up to run in Saturday’s race.

Edward O’Grady’s Grade One-winning hurdler failed to build on his debut victory over fences last season. But he was impressive when beating Joncol and Trafford Lad in a Grade Three event at Naas last month.

His trainer is hoping the seven-year-old can continue his progression.

O’Grady said: “It is likely that Tranquil Sea will go to the Paddy Power Gold Cup.

“We were delighted with his win at Naas last time. He has only won twice over fences so I would say that was his best run and, being a seven-year-old, I think it would be normal to expect some improvement from him.

“He is well and we are looking forward to a nice run. He has been around Cheltenham before so that would not be a concern.”

Tranquil Sea is one of three runners who may make the trip from Ireland along with Tony Martin’s Northern Alliance and Noel Meade-trained Jaamid.

Nigel Twiston-Davies has both Knowhere and Ballyfitz currently entered, while Nicky Henderson is also double-handed with My Petra and Tartak other interesting contenders.

TODAY’S NAP: Cast Iron Casey (2.20pm Sedgefield).