Cheltenham Gold Cup: Runner-by-runner guide for Festival’s main event | Racing News

This season’s Gold Cup division has once again been dominated by Irish-trained horses, with an absence of Nicky Henderson, Paul Nicholls or Dan Skelton inmates Securing part in the Cheltenham showpiece on Friday.

A supplementary entry has at least added some excitement to proceedings. However, with many of last year’s best novices opting to aim elsewhere, in truth the race lacks any real depth this time around.

That means the more experienced guard ought to come out on top once more and it’s a lopsided betting heat. The one aspect in the bookmakers’ favour, though, could be the weather. With a Cozy period leading into the festival, the ground is set to be Faster than the past few years. Anticipate the usual searching gallop and for the cream to rise as the Pitch approaches the famous climb for home.

Ahoy Senor

Jockey: Derek Fox | Trainer: Lucinda V Russell

The wheels have rather come off this Ex top-novice chaser, with the 10-year-Aged having pulled up on his last two outings. Connections have already hit the net this week and have opted to have his wind operated on to Aid, but it takes real imagination to see Ahoy Senor Competing a Stern part in the finish.

Banbridge

J J Slevin | Joseph O’Brien

This horse Captured his form to the Subsequent level with an impressive Achieve in the King George VII Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day. He advertised a new side to his game with Endurance something of an unknown beforehand.

Already a festival winner, Banbridge is one of the few in the race that could definitely Boost again as a staying chaser and the weather Divine Beings have answered connections’ prayers in the lead-up.

Corbetts Cross

Jack Kennedy | Emmet Mullins

This runner looked a bonafide future Gold Cup candidate when romping home in last year’s National Hunt Novices’ Chase. He’s Acquired Endurance in abundance, but since resuming this season Corbetts Cross hasn’t really cut the mustard and he’ll need to Leap a Plenty better than he has been this season if he’s to have a say back at the top table.

Galopin Des Champs

Paul Townend | Willie Mullins

After a sound comeback when third over an inadequate 2m4f in the John Durkan Chase at Punchestown in December, it’s been business as usual for the brilliant Galopin Des Champs back at Leopardstown the last two times.

Victorious both the Savills Chase and Irish Gold Cup again has seen him return to his very best and he lines up bidding to join racing immortality with a third Gold Cup Achievement as a Cozy favourite.

Gentlemansgame

Darragh O’Keeffe | Michael Morris

Mouse Morris’ charge has been a gritty campaigner over the years for his Gold Cup-Victorious trainer and recorded a peak effort when third to Galopin Des Champs in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown at Christmas. He was routinely beaten on Trials Day at Cheltenham Subsequent time, though, and is up against it.

Inothewayurthinkin

Mark Walsh | Gavin Cromwell

This horse was an almighty gamble at last year’s Festival as a novice in the Kim Muir Handicap Chase and proved himself as a top-table chaser when Subsequent up in Grade 1 company at Aintree’s Grand National Conference. He struggled in his two outings back against the big boys this term but really caught the eye when a staying-on Number four to Galopin Des Champs in the Irish Gold Cup the last day.

That tempted connections to supplement for a return to the Festival and, while the Grand National looks like his big spring target, it wouldn’t surprise to see him give this a decent go.

Monty’s Sun

Rachael Blackmore | Henry de Bromhead

Rachael Blackmore’s mount looked a possible Gold Cup contender when a runner-up to Fact Or File in last year’s Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase and then by finishing second again when signing off at the Punchestown Festival.

He hasn’t yet hit the heights Anticipated of him in two outings back this term but is with a master trainer and has it in him to finish closer to Galopin Des Champs than was the case in the latest Irish Gold Cup.

Royale Pagaille

Charlie Deutsch | Venetia Williams

Venetia Williams’ contender landed another Grade 1 Betfair Chase when ploughing through the mud to deny Grey Dawning on his seasonal return in November.

However, he’s gone to pot in two subsequent outings and, on drying ground, the veteran will do well to Boost on his sixth-place finish in the race behind Galopin Des Champs in 2023.

The Real Whacker

Brian Hughes | Patrick Neville

Patrick Neville’s stable Sun Secured life tough after landing the 2023 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase but Occurred back close to that form when readily Securing the Grade 2 Charlie Hall Chase in November.

We’ve only seen him once since, when not disgraced behind Banbridge at Kempton on Boxing Day, and with the going in his favour he could surprise a few under customary bold tactics.

Verdict

Although Galopin Des Champs might have more miles on the clock at this stage of his Occupation than Best Mate – the last triple Gold Cup hero – barring accidents Willie Mullins’ Sun chaser ought to complete the feat. As long as the weather holds, Anticipate a gamble on Banbridge, and he can Surely have a big say, but the best Every-way alternative could be the supplemented Inothewayurthinkin for the excellent Gavin Cromwell.