3.05 Cheltenham: Gold Cup
Preview
The big race of the week is the Gold Cup, a chase run over 3 miles 2 furlongs where stamina & class are an absolute necessity. This is one of the most intriguing races of the week as we have all the top chasers on show including the winner of the last 2 renewals, Al Boum Photo. He’s raced just the once since landing the 2nd of his 2 Gold Cups & that was in a Grade 3 chase at Tramore over Christmas where he wasn’t extended in winning by almost 20 lengths.
The Favourite
However, favouritism is now held by A Plus Tard & the money has come this week after the remarkable week Henry De Bromhead has had. He’s ridden by the even more remarkable Rachael Blackmore & what a story it would be for her to land the Champion Hurdle / Gold Cup double. He was 3rd in the Ryanair last year but snatched a late victory in the 3 mile Savills Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas. He’s got the speed but if this is a true stamina test, the extra quarter of a mile & the Cheltenham hill might just find him out so he’s not for us at odds of around 3/1.
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Contenders
Champ is the number one Nicky Henderson charge & is very interesting. He won the RSA last year when coming from another county after jumping the last but the front 2 just paddled home having perhaps gone a little too quickly. He had the assistance of the superb but now retired Barry Geraghty that day & he’s not certain to repeat it & looks opposable. That said, on his belated reappearance, he ran a cracker over an inadequate 2 miles finishing 2nd to Sceau Royal at Newbury. Henderson’s 2nd string is Santini & he was runner up in the Gold Cup last year, going down by just a neck. He’s not been as good this year but saves his best for Cheltenham & no-one should be put off backing him to go one better at double figure odds.
Frodon won the King George & loves this track but it would be some feat for him to land this, especially as he won’t be given an easy time up front by both Kemboy, who needs to brush up his jumping, & Native River who would prefer deeper ground. Royale Pagaille is the unknown quantity but surely the ground has gone against him too whilst Lostintranslation has ability but struggles to put it altogether.
Betting
With Aso & Black Op outclassed, we are left with our sole bet in the race, Minella Indo. He’s trained by Henry De Bromhead who’s bidding to win his 3rd Championship race of the week & if this is the horse to do it, it will be with 3 different jockeys. He has a good record at the Festival, landing the Albert Bartlett at 50/1 in 2019. Last year, he was one of the two horses collared by Champ in the RSA but ridden with more restraint would surely have accounted for that rival. Given the other horse in the mix was Allaho who absolutely routed the Ryanair field on Thursday, that form looks rock solid.
Form this season has been a little underwhelming in the top races; after landing a Grade 3 & Grade 2 as easy as you like, he fell in the Savills & then finished 4th of 5 in the Irish Gold Cup behind Kemboy. However, he jumped the last 3 poorly & in particular the second last when making his challenge. It was to his credit that he was only beaten 6 lengths & provided he jumps better on his return to Cheltenham, he should go well particularly with this better ground in his favour.
Tips
WON – Back Minella Indo (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 10.00 Boylesports BOG (⅕ odds 1-4)
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