Punters Plump For Vodka

With fears over Abragante making the cut for the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday, punters have been attracted to his stablemate Vodka Bleu.

The David Pipe-trained eight-year-old found only subsequent Gold Cup runner-up Exotic Dancer too good last year and Ladbrokes have taken note, cutting him to 10-1 from 14s.

The firm's spokesman David Williams said: 'With Abragante not certain to get into the race, punters have switched their attention to another Pipe horse and come for Vodka Bleu.

'We're keen not to be caught out again for a horse who goes well fresh from a yard who have dominated this race'

Abragante was a ready winner at Wincanton over the weekend and is officially 14lb ?well-in' but needs plenty above in the weights to come out before he is guaranteed a run.

Pipe said: 'If he (Abragante) does miss the cut I won't be too disappointed as I never thought he would get in and I have always had the fact we also have Vodka Bleu in the race as well at the back of my mind.

'He (Vodka Bleu) is very well and will like the ground ? but I just hope he doesn't come up against the Gold Cup runner-up again this year.

'He is only 1lb higher than last year and if he runs a similar race to 12 months ago then he will have to go close.

'His form did tail off after the Paddy Power but he is back down in the weights and has shown us he is as well as ever at home.

'He will love conditions and he seems to go well fresh.

'Should they both get in then you would have to go for Abragante as he is well-in and he seems to have come out of Saturday's race well.'

(C) PA Sport