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Tatenen’s Confidence Boosted Ahead of Potential Paddy Power Gold Cup Raid 05/11/10

Tatenen delighted new trainer Richard Rowe with a sound round of jumping at Kempton Park on Monday and the high-class gelding could take his new-found confidence to The Open at Cheltenham for the £150,000 Grade Three Paddy Power Gold Cup (2.35pm) on Saturday, November 13.

Tatenen
© Grossick Racing Photography

The prestigious BetVictor Gold Cup, run over an extended two and a half miles, is the feature race at The Open, which stages three thrilling days of top-quality Jump racing on Friday 12, Saturday 13 and Sunday 14, November.

The Stewart Family-owned six-year-old landed the Grade Two The Independent Newspaper Novices’ Chase at The Open in 2008, when trained by Paul Nicholls, during a novice season in which he proved himself among the best of his peers.

Last season, however, Tatenen’s jumping proved fragile and a disappointing campaign prompted his owners to try alternative methods. Following a move to Rowe’s West Sussex base in June, Tatenen returned to action on November 1 with a solid display in an extended two and a half-mile graduation chase at Kempton, in which he finished third to the well-regarded Riverside Theatre.

Rowe revealed today: “Tatanen is a possible for the Paddy Power Gold Cup at this stage and we’ll know if he’s a definite when we see how he is next week. He has come out of the Kempton race fine but I haven’t worked him yet so his participation will depend on how he works this next week.

“I was absolutely delighted with him the other day. The main thing I was pleased with was the way he jumped - he jumped with a great deal of confidence. That was the plan, to get some confidence back into him after last season’s jumping issues. He did everything really well and probably just needed the run. Now it’s just a question of whether the Paddy Power Gold Cup comes a bit quick or not.”

Tatenen is currently a 25/1 chance with sponsor Paddy Power, while last season’s winner, the Edward O’Grady-trained Tranquil Sea, is a 12/1 chance.

Mad Max
© Grossick Racing Photography

Paddy Power make the Nicky Henderson-trained Grade One winner Long Run its current 7/2 market leader for the Paddy Power Gold Cup, which has a strong entry of 53. Among them, that gelding’s stable mate Mad Max is available at 10/1, as is Tranquil Sea’s stable mate, the top-class Catch Me.

Poquelin, runner-up last year before winning the Grade Three December Gold Cup at Cheltenham’s International in December for the Stewart Family, is a 12/1 chance for champion trainer Paul Nicholls, while Listed United House Gold Cup winner Massini’s Maguire (14/1) and Grade Three Byrne Group Plate victor Great Endeavour (5/1) could line up for trainer David Pipe.

The Jonjo O’Neill-trained Sunnyhillboy, runner-up to Great Endeavour in the Byrne Group Plate at The Festival in March, is another leading fancy - currently a 6/1 chance.

The Open commences on Friday, November 12, with six enthralling races, including the £25,000 Grade Two Cheltenham Collection Sharp Novices’ Hurdle (1.50pm), the £40,000 Paddypower.com Handicap Chase (2.25pm), and the £25,000 Glenfarclas Cross Country Steeplechase (3pm) over Cheltenham’s unique cross country course.

Saturday’s excellent six-race card, as well as featuring the Paddy Power Gold Cup, includes the £50,000 Grade Three Morson Group Handicap Chase (1.50pm) over an extended three miles and three furlongs.

The £100,000 Grade Three Greatwood Handicap Hurdle (2.20pm) headlines a thrilling six-race Sunday card on November 14, alongside the £30,000 Grade Two The Independent Newspaper Novices’ Chase (1.10pm), the £50,000 Sinbad Testimonial 2010/11 Chase (1.45pm) and the £25,000 Grade Two Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle (3.30pm).