Nine of the 11 runners in this year’s Gold Cup have a claim to win it on their best form, including the 2018 winner, Native River, who bids to send Colin Tizzard into retirement on the crest of a wave. The drying ground may be against him, however, and seven- and eight‑year‑olds are generally the ones to focus on these days.
Al Boum Photo, who is going for a hat-trick of wins, may also struggle to see off the younger generation, including the novice Royale Pagaille, but the standout contender on recent form is A Plus Tard (3.05).
His win in the Savills Chase at Christmas, on only his second start over three miles, was all about stamina and a career-best too. Henry de Bromhead’s string has been in outstanding form all week and Rachael Blackmore could well become the first jockey for 26 years to win the Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup at the same Festival.
Cheltenham: 1.20 Just eight runners but four are unbeaten and the first half-dozen in the betting have 13 wins and a second from 14 starts between them. Tritonic is the clear pick of the British-trained contenders but Quilixios registered an impressive time under the conditions when winning a Grade One at Leopardstown in February and offers some value to beat former stablemate Zanahiyr at around 4-1.
Cheltenham: 1.55 One of the fiercest betting heats of the week, but also a contest that has had just two winning trainers – Dan Skelton and Willie Mullins – in the last six renewals. Mullins fields five but Skelton relies on Third Time Lucki, who was better than the result in a decent novice event last time when he made a hash of the last.
Cheltenham 2.30 A race that has been won by some top-notch chasers of the future, including Bobs Worth, Minella Indo and Monkfish last year, but not always as favourite, or even close to it. Ireland’s challenge is strong again, led by Stattler and Fakiera, but Adrimel is open to plenty of improvement stepping up to this trip and is an each-way price at 14-1.
Fakenham 1.10 Ballyellis 1.45 Olympic Conqueror 2.20 Magic River 2.55 Cheng Gong 3.30 Defuture Is Bright 4.05 Shantung 4.40 The Dellercheckout
Cheltenham 1.20 Quilixios (nb) 1.55 Third Time Lucki 2.30 Adrimel 3.05 A Plus Tard (nap) 3.40 Latenightpass 4.15 Elimay 4.50 Adjali
Lingfield 1.35 Propagation 2.10 Blue Moonrise 2.45 Nigel Nott 3.20 Crimson King 3.55 Polling Day 4.30 Mohaafeth 5.05 Hold Fast
Southwell 5.15 Khatm 5.45 The Retriever 6.15 Tilsitt 6.45 If You Dare 7.15 Travel Lightly 7.45 Fircombe Hall 8.15 Autonomy
Cheltenham: 3.40 The Irish pair Billaway and Staker Wallace were separated by less than three lengths at Naas in January and hold obvious chances, but this is a race that can throw up a surprise and Latenightpass looks big at around 25-1. A point winner since taking a hunter chase at Cheltenham in 2019, he made light of big odds at Warwick last month, travelling and jumping well for Bridget Andrews. She maintains the partnership, with amateur riders currently banned.
Cheltenham: 4.15 Willie Mullins has four runners in the Festival’s newest event – equalling the entire British-trained contingent – and Elimay, who is tough, talented and consistent, looks sure to take all the beating. Stable companion Colreevy is the obvious danger.
