Cheltenham Gold Cup Preview!

Despite many sporting events being postponed, suspended or acted out “Behind closed doors” the Cheltenham festival went ahead as usual.

The tremendous spirit of the festival has shone through, in the face of what is fast becoming a troubling global issue. The racing on display has not disappointed and the climax of the festival on Friday offers the mouthwatering prospect of the Gold Cup.

If you read this expecting to come out of it with hot tips to take with you to the festival then I take this opportunity to apologise. People with far more knowledge of racing than me will be spamming your social media feeds with all of that information.

Instead I will be summarising the runners & riders in this years gold cup, providing a bit of useful info on the historic race for the casual racing fan.

This years festival

The bookies have had an easy ride in the first two days of the festival. Tiger Roll looked out of sorts as he failed to make it three consecutive Champion chase wins at 8/11. Defi De Seuil also came in 4th in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at odds of 2/5 after the disappointing news that Altior would pull out of the race.

Notebook was another heavily backed horse. Coming in 6th with odds of 5/2, which had bookmakers rubbing their hands once again. 4/6 Paisley park also disappointed punters coming in 7th in the stayers hurdle, paving the way for 50/1 Lisnagar Oscar to swoop in and claim victory.

A fantastic ride from Barry Geraghty on Champ has to be the highlight of the festival so far. The horse named after champion jockey Tony McCoy chased down the leaders from distance, passing them on the home straight in front of a roaring Cheltenham crowd.

The Gold Cup

The Gold Cup’s centenary is just a few years away with the race dating back to 1924. The course is now 3 Miles & 2 ½ Furlongs long, with prize money of £625,000 making it the most valuable non-handicap race in Britain.

Horses must be above the age of 5 to compete and this year’s race sees 12 horses battle for the £350,000 prize on offer for the race winner.

The first day of this year's festival saw over 60,000 people in attendance. The record attendance for a day at the festival was last year's Gold Cup with a crowd of 71,816 people. Concerns over the Coronavirus might mean that the historic heights of last year are not reached, a decent turnout is expected nonetheless.

Willie Mullins trained, Al Boum Photo took the crown at a record-breaking Gold cup last year. Hoping to defend his crown this year, the 8 year old has been made joint favourite, after coming in at odds of 12/1 in 2019.

The Runners & Riders

Al Boum Photo | J: P Townsend T: W Mullins | 7/2

Defending champion Al Boum Photo remains with jockey Paul Townsend which proved to be a winning combination last year. He has been kept fresh this year in preparation for the Gold Cup defence and won on his last outing on New Years day by 6 lengths.

The bookies seem to believe there's every chance that history will repeat itself this year. With odds of 7/2 there is still some value in backing the reigning champ.

Santini | J: Nico de Boinville T: N Henderson | 7/2

Narrowly missing out on victory with podium finishes on his last two visits to the festival. Another 8 year old who shows a lot of promise and might be one big win away from receiving a lot of plaudits.

In great form, beating competitor Bristol de Mai last time out. Having also won three chases in the past and has only ever failed to place once. This horse is likely to be in amongst it as they take the final bend.

Delta Work | J: M P Walsh T: G Elliot | 5/1

Gordon Elliot’s sole runner in the Gold Cup. Won a grade 1 chase last time out in the Irish Gold Cup, defeating rival Kemboy.

Expected to stay with the leaders no matter what, whether there is enough in his youthful legs to claim victory is anyone’s guess. A dangerous horse represented by the relatively short 5/1 price.

Clan des Obeaux | J: H Cobden T: P F Nicholls | 6/1

Co-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson, he has won the King George VI chase for back to back years. Showing great form but has never really delivered at the festival. Looked promising in last year’s gold cup but couldn’t kick on to challenge the leaders. Another well rested horse.

Lostintranslation | J: R M Power T: C L Tizzard | 7/1

A horse in form until he pulled up at the King George VI chase last time out. Since then he's had a wind operation. Question marks remain surrounding whether Lostintranslation has the stamina to go the distance.

Kemboy | J: Mr P W Mullins T: W P Mullins | 10/1

Doesn’t perform well historically at the festival. Last year, Kemboy unseated his rider at the first fence of last year’s Gold Cup. Yet to place at Cheltenham and he is less fancied to do so this year than last year(8/1). Also beaten by Delta Work in his last race.

Presenting Percy | J: D N Russell T: P G Kelly | 11/1

Finished lame in a Gold Cup he was favourite in last year. Yet to put together a complete performance in his last few outings. A horse which has won twice before at Cheltenham, as well as producing other impressive wins away from the festival which will remain in the memory of racing fans. He’ll need to find some form from somewhere but it’s a horse with considerable pedigree.

Bristol de Mai | J: D A Jacob T: N A Twiston-Davis | 20/1

Was second to Santini on the Cheltenham course in January. Placed 3rd in last year’s Gold Cup as an 18/1 outsider after leading and not quite having enough in the tank to win the race. Looking like the odds on Bristol de Mai will be similar this time around, a horse expected to be in amongst it but ultimately expected to fade away towards the business end of the race.

Chris’s Dream | J: Aidan Coleman T: H de Bromhead | 20/1

Only his second appearance at Cheltenham. He’s really kicked on this season with two wins in his last two outings in soft & heavy conditions, softer ground might favour this horse. An outside shot, my guess would be the occasion gets the better of him

Monalee | J: Rachel Blackmore T: H de Bromhead | 22/1

Lost out to Presenting Percy at the festival in 2018 was also second to Delta Work last time out but looked close to his best again. A step up in distance though for the Gold Cup which poses questions around Monalee’s stamina. Another you’d think would need a lot to go his way if he was to win at 15.30 on the final day of the festival.

Real Steel | J: B S Hughes T: W P Mullins | 66/1

A big drop in the odds for the two notable outsiders, although he has picked up a couple of wins this season. Finished 11th in his only appearance at Cheltenham in 2018. Pulled up in his last race which was won by Chris’s dream, but has won twice in Grade 2 chases so far this season. I think this is a horse which might be out of his depth, reflected by the odds.

Elegant Escape | J: Jonjo O’Neil Jr. T: C L Tizzard | 66/1

Hasn’t found his feet this season. Pulled up four from home in his previous appearance. Not one you’d expect to challenge Al Boum Photo’s defence, but stranger things have happened. An outsider for good reason by all accounts.

My nap:

In my eyes the bookies have it pretty right so I wouldn’t be expecting a big win from an outsider, but races over this distance throw up so many obstacles.

My pick would be Lostintranslation, found form before pulling up at the King George VI chase. Although the success of his Wind-op is unknown, if it has proved to be a success it could be enough to guide this horse to victory.

It’s important to note that I don’t know anything about racing that you don’t, so your guess is as good as mine! Although if you take my tip and it does come in don’t hesitate in asking for my bank details.

The Gold Cup is shaping up to be a closely contested battle. With some great displays of racing throughout the week, I wouldn’t expect this one to be any different.

Best of luck to anybody who has a flutter tomorrow!