Justice can be done — at a tasty 28-1

UP THE ANTE:

LITTLE Josh will bid for back-to-back big-race successes at Cheltenham when he contests the December Gold Cup on Saturday week.

A gallant winner of the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Prestbury Park almost three weeks ago, Nigel Twiston-Davies’ eight-year-old has been raised nine pounds for that success and, if top weight Poquelin stands his ground, will carry 11-4 in his latest quest for glory.

Progressive, bold jumping and game, Little Josh could well find the necessary improvement to score again as this race looks a little weaker than the one he won last time.

There is no Long Run in the December Gold Cup, but runner-up Dancing Tornado is likely to reoppose and gets a three-pound pull for a beating of two-and-three-quarter lengths.

There should be little between them, but in these situations I would rather be on the side of the frontrunner which stays out of trouble so Little Josh at 13-2 makes more appeal than Dancing Tornado at 9-1.

Neither is the sort of price I am looking for in an ante-post bet, however, a remark which also applies to Daves Dream (7-1), who won well over two miles at the same Cheltenham meeting.

Trainer Nicky Henderson believes the gelding will be more effective over the extra five furlongs of this race, but hurdling evidence does not back up this theory.

Daves Dream has benefited from a wind operation, so if the ground were to turn up heavy his chance would probably be compromised. Better to wait until nearer the time if you fancy him.

It is interesting that Paul Nicholls has entered promising novice Robinson Collonges (8-1), but the handicapper has not exactly been lenient in handing him a mark of 148.

An exciting prospect, he could be up to defying the weight, but his jumping will be put to the test and he did fall at Wincanton two starts ago.

Great Endeavour (9-1) was a disappointing sixth in the Paddy Power and may need decent spring ground to be seen to best effect.

Paddy Power fourth Mad Max (10-1) is considered to dislike Cheltenham by his trainer so is unlikely to run, while Sunnyhillboy (11-1) did little in the same contest and is readily passed over.

I suspect Little Josh is the most likely winner, but one I am prepared to put up at a big price is Summery Justice.

Venetia Williams’ six-year-old is low on experience over fences but, unlike Robinson Collonges, is a realistic price at 28-1.

He has two wins from three starts over fences, is set to carry 10 stones (bang on that mark) and is from a yard which tends to strike form at this time of the season.

His latest win at Bangor was over three miles, so the three furlongs drop in trip may not be ideal, but against that is the fact that Buffalo Bob - runner-up that day - came out and won at Newbury last week so the form is solid.

A race such as this may well come too soon for this six-year-old, but his trainer is as shrewd as they come and we can afford to play to small stakes at the price.

In a race which may well cut up, the 28-1 on offer with Bet365 is worth taking each-way.