ENGLISH RACING / Today's preview: With £100,000 in added prize money up for grabs, it is not surprising the Vodafone Gold Cup has attracted a competitive field at Newbury today.
And while not the horse he once was, First Gold has demonstrated enough lately to suggest he is not quite done with yet and he can run a big race.
A brilliant winner of the King George VI Chase in 2000, the Francois Doumen-trained 12-year-old has been there and nearly done it all compared with his rivals at the weekend.
He showed plenty of dash behind Lord Transcend in the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock in January, where he was the only one to really make a race of it with Howard Johnson's up-and-coming grey, bravely chasing him all the way and finishing well clear of the rest of the field.
He doesn't have any big-race wins on the board over two and a half miles, but that's because he has invariably been campaigned over longer trips.
However, his front-running style and bold jumping should be made for it and the handicapper has definitely given him a chance of playing a leading role.
Another old war horse, Gingembre, can go well in the feature event at Doncaster, the Totescoop6 Grimthorpe Chase over three miles.
Lavinia Taylor's star - second but promoted to first in the 2002 Hennessy - ran with immense credit in the Aon Chase at Newbury on his first start for 679 days before understandably tiring.
He mixed it with potential Gold Cup horses for a long way there and if he has improved any amount for that he is going to take some stopping.
Bagan is another useful Flat handicapper who has been rejuvenated since switching to the winter game and he can complete a hat-trick in the Light Infantry Plate.
Once a 50 to 1 winner on the level at York for Henry Cecil, he made a promising start to his new career when fourth at Bangor in December, and has really come into his own since being stepped up in trip.
Faasel, who is improving with every outing over jumps, can pass his stiffest test to date with flying colours at Kelso.
A progressive handicapper on the Flat for Kevin Prendergast, he cost Greystoke trainer Nicky Richards a fair few bob at the sales and he has made no secret as to the regard in which he is held.
He was a bit sketchy on his debut over obstacles here in January but got the job done and has not been out of a canter in two subsequent starts.
Admittedly, that has only been against moderate opposition and the Totesport Premier Hurdle represents quite a leap in class with some equally unexposed types in opposition.
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