One of the biggest handicaps in UK jumps racing returns on Saturday, the second day of Newbury's two-day meeting.
Often a useful pointer for staying chases further along in the season including the Grand National, it can pay to keep a close eye on the race with a view to the future.
Colm Doyle provides his analysis on Saturday's big race and has two selections, a win bet and an each-way saver in the 20-runner handicap.
2.50 - Coral Gold Cup (3m2f)
There are plenty in this contest with claims but it's easy to see why COMPLETE UNKNOWN just about heads the market.
The lightly raced seven-year-old is having just his sixth chase start having won three of his five so far and he made easy work of his comeback run when winning in better style than the one length winning margin suggested at Newton Abbot in October. That form has been boosted by the runner-up going in subsequently (albeit in a match race).
The gelding has been kept fresh for this assignment subsequently, getting an ideal seven-week break and there's every chance he will come on for that first run in six months (also his first start since a wind operation).
A step back up in trip will hold no fears having chased home the highly talented Gerri Colombe in the Grade 1 novice at Aintree at the end of last season and quicker ground is not an issue for him either.
The concern would be whether he finds a big field handicap a bit of a culture shock having done his winning in pretty small fields over fences so far and this race can be rough for a younger horse but he clearly has outstanding claims; he could be very well treated from a handicap mark of 152.
His trainer, Paul Nicholls hasn't won this since he trained the mighty Denman to win his second renewal in 2009, but he hasn't had many with better chances than this progressive sort who could be a clear favourite on the day.
It may be worth having an each-way saver on the likeable AHOY SENOR who has to carry top-weight.
He put in his usual dismal reappearance effort when tailed off at Newbury in the Charlie Hall on his return but that's nothing new for him having failed to complete in previous return outings and he's a much better horse as the season progresses.
If he gets into a rhythm from the front, he could get a lot of the less inexperienced types in trouble and he has a bit of a class edge over many of these having done most of his running at Grade 1/2 level.
He admittedly comes with risks attached. He can jump right at his fences (not ideal at Newbury) and he can make errors at times but that's all factored into his price and when he gets it right, as he did when landing a Grade 2 at this venue a few seasons ago, he can be a very hard horse to peg back.
