It's another busy day of racing this weekend.

All eyes will be on Newbury for the Greatwood Gold Cup.

Check out our runner-by-runner guide to Saturday’s William Hill “High 5” Supporting Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase.

Vibrato Valtat

Vibrato Valtat (
Image:
Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

High-class at best, including Grade One novice chase win just over two years ago before fourth in the Arkle and second at Aintree. Started following season with Haldon Gold Cup win off mark of 157, so no doubt this rating (152) is a fair one and has suggested as much more than once this term.

Disappointing on the face of it last time having been dropped in grade and well backed, but was giving lumps of weight to a younger rival who evidently much preferred the demanding ground.

Again asked to concede plenty of weight here but Stan Sheppard’s (riding out of his skin) 5lb claim helps and trainer has successfully employed such tactics many times recently, especially when switching headgear which he does here as blinkers replace cheekpieces. Looks like a plan could come together – if the horse consents to knuckle down when it matters.

O Maonlai

In-and-out profile but the ‘in’ element tends to coincide with appearances here at Newbury. Course form figures of 1-P-2-1, all over fences and at around this trip, and lost action when pulled-up. Latest win two starts ago off a mark of 134, since when he’s been pulled up after a blunder all but ended his chance in the Peter Marsh won by Bristol De Mai.

This represents a slight drop in class and is fresher than many having had just two starts this term, but form tailed off after good start to last season and clues are there that a repeat is on the cards off career-high mark. Not ruled out given that Newbury record but others preferred.

Oldgrangewood

Will Oldgrangewood claim victory? (
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Getty Images Europe)

Antepost favourite having won three of his four starts over fences, all in handicap company, and unfortunate to be brought down when in contention in the other. Up a further 9lb following latest victory a month ago – 23lb higher than opening mark - but the form looks solid and had any amount in hand having travelled with his now customary zest throughout.

Trip and ground set to be ideal and this progressive six-year-old must have a big chance for a yard which continues in fine form, despite the rise in grade. Not sure he’ll represent value, however, and remains to be seen what’s in the tank when he’s really asked to knuckle down at the business end.

Hollywoodien

Another progressive six-year-old who ran right up to his best when third behind Garde La Victoire at Sandown last time. That came over two miles but return to this sort of distance not an issue, having won nicely at Wetherby previously, while better ground is certainly a positive. Can take a pull and clumsy on occasion but James Davies knows him well and another with an obvious chance of taking another step up the ladder.

Dresden

Took a while to rediscover his form this season but firmly on track now having twice been second in February. First of those defeats came at the hands of Oldgrangewood and does receive an 8lb pull, but that probably underestimates the superiority of the younger horse. That said, seventh in last year’s Grand Annual off a higher mark is good form and now looks to have improved for stepping up to two and a half miles, a trip over which he remains unexposed. Easy to envisage a big run with Richard Johnson taking the ride but vulnerable for win purposes.

Tornado In Milan

In good form this season despite his advancing years. Started out over hurdles at Bangor where second to Cheltenham Festival hope was as good as could’ve been expected, before win and solid second from the front end back over fences. Fourth behind Aso at Chepstow over Christmas showed worrying tendency to jump right and might be better going clockwise, but can’t quite be ruled out having hosed up back over hurdles last time off just a 2lb lower mark than this one.

Who will take victory? (
Image:
PA)

More Buck’s

Won three of seven starts over fences, at trips from 2m3f up to three miles. Still has scope to improve and has often impressed with his jumping, but fell last time out following moderate run over Christmas. In good hands to bounce back and now partnered by Harry Cobden for the first time, but while stamina could be a valuable asset in what should be a strongly-run race, has enough to prove.

Vic de Touzaine

Returned from almost a year off to finish second at Wincanton and the form of that race stands out, with third-placed Pilgrims Bay winning the Betbright Chase last weekend. Well-backed as a result despite going up 5lb and does look one to watch off this sort of mark, but concern would be he’s raced exclusively on soft or heavy ground to date and conditions here set to be a good deal quicker. From a handicapping perspective has an obvious shout but this race may not play to his strengths.

Shadows Lengthen

Veteran who holds his form well, has his conditions and has won off a slightly higher mark in the past. However, no success of any kind since October 2014, beaten almost 20 lengths off 2lb higher in a weaker contest last time and, while yard going nicely, would be a surprise winner.

Fans will flock to Newbury (
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PA)

Thomas Crapper

Pick of his form reads very well in the context of this race and a mark of 128. For instance, has won off 134 over fences, chased home Irish Cavalier off the same mark at the Festival and also finished runner-up to Don Poli over hurdles, again at the Festival, again off 134. More recently, midfield finish in BetVictor Gold Cup – once more off 134 – suggests he could go well and while disappointing in two starts since, on both occasions ground had gone against him. Needs to show more but one from one over this course and distance and shouldn’t be completely ignored with cheekpieces returned.

Find Sky Bet’s odds on the Greatwood Gold Cup right here!

CONCLUSION: Last weekend’s big handicap chase went to a quirky sort who needed to be coaxed into things and perhaps something similar is in store with Vibrato Valtat given the benefit of the doubt.

He’s at the opposite end of the weights to Pilgrims Bay but may well be able to outclass inferior rivals now back on better ground and ridden by a promising 5lb claimer, with the switch to blinkers a hint worth taking.

Oldgrangewood is on a steep upward curve and is respected, while Thomas Crapper is clearly weighted to run a big race but does need to get back on track having shown little for some time.

Vic de Touzaine must prove that conditions are appropriate and is ignored at the prices with that in mind, with both Hollywoodien and course specialist O Maonlai considered bigger threats.

For those looking for an each-way angle, Dresden is weighted to get close to Oldgrangewood and looks to have improved for a step up in trip. He’s preferred to Tornado In Milan, whose hurdles win last time out surely isn’t as significant as it appears from a strictly numerical perspective.

1 Vibrato Valtat 2 Oldgrangewood 3 Dresden