We have to wait until the final day of the Cheltenham Festival for the feature race of the meeting which is of course the Gold Cup where we find out the best horse over fences. This thrilling race is ran over 3m2.5f and takes on 22 fences.
The great and the good have all won this race and it usually throws up some amazing memories. Recently the British have had the edge in the race but it was the Irish who took the crown 12 months ago.
Recent Winners
2016 – Don Cossack 9/4f
2015 – Coneygree 7/1
2014 – Lord Windermere 20/1
2013 – Bobs Worth 11/4f
2012 – Synchronised 8/1
2011 – Long Run 7/2f
2010 – Imperial Commander
2009 – Kauto Star 7/4f
2008 – Denman 9/4
2007 – Kauto Star 5/4f
Guide
This is a race where the favourite tends to fare well and after a number of big name pullouts it looks likely that the favourite will be between Cue Card, Native River and Djakadam. The former two will be flying the flag for Britain with Ireland being represented by the latter. The one thing we know about this race is that only good horses win it but that doesn’t mean that the outsiders have no chance. Given all the absentees there is a real open feel about the 2017 renewal.
Betting
The feature race of the whole meeting and what a cracker it promises to be. There’s no stand out candidate and any one of 6 or 7 could land this. There may be no Thistlecrack but Colin Tizzard still holds a very strong hand with 2 of the 3 vying for favouritism. The first of those, Native River, is a proper stayer and was 2nd in the 4 miler here a year ago and has doing nothing but progress since. In that time, he has won 4 of his 5 starts including the Hennessy, the Welsh National and the Grade 2 Denman Chase. Whether he’s quite up to this level is still open to some debate and whilst I feel there’s improvement left, I’ll be leaving him alone at around the 9/2 mark.
The other Tizzard runner, Cue Card, is the highest rated in the field and even as an 11 year old, he looks as good as ever. It would be a great story if he could win a Gold Cup having already landed 9 Grade 1s but I feel his best chance was 12 months ago when coming to grief when travelling well 3 out. Interestingly, 11 of the last 12 Gold Cup winners were having their first run in the race despite many of them having already run well at the Festival before, albeit in other races.
That last statistic is a negative for Willie Mullins’ Djakadam who has finished runner up in this for the last 2 seasons. In addition, Mullins has yet to land this prize but has been close having saddled the runner in each of the last 4 runnings. His form has been a bit mixed, trading blows with another rival, Outlander. That horse is over 3 times the price of Djakadam and finished in front of him last time out in the Lexus. Trained by the in form Gordon Elliott, Outlander should run his race but the worry would be his occasional sloppy jumping which he can ill afford at this track in this race.
A better alternative might prove to be last year’s Arkle runner up Sizing John who won on his first try over 3 miles last time. He’s a speedster having been the best of the 2 mile novices bar the impressive Douvan but has taken the step up in trip in his stride the last twice. An extra 2 furlongs and the return to Cheltenham will place even further emphasis on his stamina but the ground will suit and his excellent jumping should help his cause.
Jonjo O’Neill relies on 2, the first being More Of That but his form has a very uneven look to it. Of his pair, the one I like at long odds is Minella Rocco who beat Native River in that 4 miler here last season. He likes the track and is an out and out stayer but has failed to complete in his last 2 starts. His jumping is a concern but Jonjo says he’s an excellent jumper at home so I’m banking on the return to Cheltenham providing a change of fortune. He will sit off the pace which should help in what is likely to be a fast run race and that, coupled with his stamina, gives him every chance.
Champagne West is a pace pusher whose jumping will be tested to the max whilst Bristol De Mai would be an interesting longshot on softer ground. Of the ridiculous long priced contenders, I cannot resist having a dabble on the complete rag, Irish Cavalier from the Rebecca Curtis yard. He ran 5th in this last year and is a true stayer who needs good ground. Since the Gold Cup last year, he’s only faced 3 miles on good ground once, winning the Charlie Hall Chase in front of Cue Card, albeit in receipt of 4lbs. He has won at the Festival in 2015 so the occasion brings out the best and I feel he will again outrun his odds and will plug on late past beaten horses. I think taking the additional place might be the best strategy.
Tips
PLACED – Back Minella Rocco (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 21.00 BetBright (¼ odds 1-3 BOG)
Back him here:
Back Irish Cavalier (e/w) for a 0.5/10 stake at 101.00 Paddy Power (⅕ odds 1-4 BOG)
Back him here:
Bookies Offers
PADDY POWER
NEW CUSTOMERS
CUE CARD TO WIN – A MASSIVE 20/1
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PADDY POWER
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DJAKADAM TO WIN – A HUGE 20/1
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BETFAIR
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CUE CARD TO WIN – A MASSIVE 20/1
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BETFAIR
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DJAKADAM TO WIN – A HUGE 20/1
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BETFAIR
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SIZING JOHN TO WIN – A MASSIVE 20/1
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BETFAIR
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NATIVE RIVER TO WIN – A HUGE 20/1
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