Greatwood Gold Cup: Timeform's runner-by-runner guide

David Pipe trains Garrynella

Timeform examine each runner in the competitive Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury...

Big Fella Thanks landed this race (for Paul Nicholls) in 2010. Third in Becher Chase in December before getting back on scoresheet in 21f handicap at Wincanton following month, though 9 lb higher now.

Ballabriggs won the Grand National in 2011, was sixth in last year's renewal and most likely being brought along with that race in mind once more, looking to need both outings this term. Probably best watched again.

Pacha du Polder took well to chasing last season, winning 3 of 5 starts, and back at that level when second in 3m listed event at Sandown in December, but he's been pulled up in 2 other outings this term.

The Knoxs has been lightly raced but is smart, winning handicaps over hurdles and fences (in tongue tie) last term. Upsides when falling last over C&D in November and looks top yard's main hope on riding arrangements.

Pepite Rose is better over fences than hurdles, winning 4 on the bounce early last year. Good third at Ascot (17f) on return, but ran poorly there next time and needs to bounce back after over 3 months off.

Mahogany Blaze is a smart chaser at his best. Not won since April 2008, but best effort for good while when going down narrowly over C&D in November, though typically followed that with poor run at Chepstow 5 weeks later.

Tony Star is a keen-going sort who shaped well when fourth in Wincanton Grade 2 on chase debut and back on track after lesser effort when runner up at Huntingdon last month, though has stiff-looking mark here.

Micheal Flips did well over fences last term, winning twice over 19f. Attitude doubts creeping in now, though, and while his fourth in a jumpers' bumper last time was a fair effort, he remains one to be wary of.

Midnight Sail is a reliable sort who found only one too good on 6 occasions either side of Fontwell (2m) win in April and got deserved success at Kempton (2m) last week, though career-high mark makes life tougher now.

Mr Gardner finished third in 2011 Scilly Isles at Sandown for Nicky Henderson, but his fourth behind Big Fella Thanks at Wincanton on first start for 22 months leaves him with plenty to find from this mark.

Saved By John is a winning hurdler who made successful chasing debut at Uttoxeter (2m) in June and has returned from a break in good form, following Chepstow second with success at Wincanton (2m) in January. Respected.

Bahrain Storm was a very smart hurdler on his day and transferred some of that ability to fences in 2011, winning twice. Beaten long way out in X-country event in November, though, and below par on Flat last month.

Garynella was a useful hurdler in France, winning listed event at Enghien in April 2011. Scored over fences at Nantes in June (sold for €70,000 afterwards) and shaped well on first start for this yard in December.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Garynella
2. The Knoxs
3. Saved By John

Timeform View: The Knoxs goes well fresh and is likely to make a bold bid to give Paul Nicholls his sixth success in this race since 2006, but he may have to play second fiddle to Garynella, who showed up well for a long way when third on his UK debut at Cheltenham in December and could prove very well treated off this mark.

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