The Cheltenham Festival draws to a close today with the biggest race of the jumps season, the £625,000 Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Here’s a guide to the 12 runners…
AL BOUM PHOTO
Age: 8. Trainer: Willie Mullins. Jockey: Paul Townend
Standard Star Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Betfair odds: 7-2.
Decisive winner last year and kept fresh for his defence. Back-to-back winners are rare, but he has plenty going for him.
BRISTOL DE MAI
Age: 9. Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies. Jockey: Daryl Jacob
Standard Star Rating: ★ ★ ★ Betfair odds: 25-1
The grey was a gallant third last year, having been seventh in 2017. Likely to give it another good go, but vulnerable to stronger stayers.
CHRIS’S DREAM
Age: 8. Trainer: Henry De Bromhead. Jockey: Aidan Coleman
Standard Star Rating: ★ ★ ★ Betfair odds: 14-1
Better than ever this season, but the suspicion is he needs to be fresh on a right-handed track, so this not ideal for him.
CLAN DES OBEAUX
Age: 8. Trainer: Paul Nicholls. Jockey: Harry Cobden
Standard Star Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ Betfair odds: 7-1
Faded to be fifth last year, but he has since won a second King George at Kempton and it would be folly to dismiss him with more patient tactics set to deployed.
DELTA WORK
Age: 7. Trainer: Gordon Elliott. Jockey: Mark Walsh
Standard Star Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ Betfair odds: 9-2
A leading novice last year who arrives here on the back of successive Grade One wins at Leopardstown. Stable is hot and ticks plenty of boxes.
ELEGANT ESCAPE
Age: 8. Trainer: Colin Tizzard. Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr
Standard Star Rating: ★ ★ Betfair odds: 66-1
Not quick enough when sixth in last year’s Gold Cup and has done nothing in the interim to suggest he will fare any better.
KEMBOY
Age: 8. Trainer: Willie Mullins. Jockey: Mr Patrick Mullins
Standard Star Rating: ★ ★ ★ Betfair odds: 7-1
Exited at the first last year but went on to win top prizes later that spring. Encouraging runs this term, but this track is probably not his favourite.
LOSTINTRANSLATION
Age: 8. Trainer: Colin Tizzard. Jockey: Robbie Power
Standard Star Rating: ★ ★ ★ Betfair odds: 6-1
Ran too bad to be true in the King George last time, having previously been very much on the up. Has had a wind operation and been freshened up.
MONALEE
Age: 9. Trainer: Henry De Bromhead. Jockey: Rachael Blackmore
Standard Star Rating: ★ ★ ★ Betfair odds: 25-1
Ran a cracker when beaten a head by Delta Work last time, but this stiffer test is likely to suit his conqueror more than him.
PRESENTING PERCY
Age: 9. Trainer: Pat Kelly. Jockey: Davy Russell
Standard Star Rating: ★ ★ ★ Betfair odds: 12-1
Started favourite last year, but finished down the field and lame. The dual Festival winner needs to raise his game.
REAL STEEL
Age: 7. Trainer: Willie Mullins. Jockey: Brian Hughes
Standard Star Rating: ★ Betfair odds: 33-1
He’s got some smart form, but he ran a shocker last time and all his form is over shorter distances.
SANTINI
Age: 8. Trainer: Nicky Henderson. Jockey: Nico De Boinville
Standard Star Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ Betfair odds: 4-1
Has gone close at the Festival for the past two years and plenty to like about latest Cheltenham win. Trainer has had a good Festival so far.
STANDARD PREDICTION
1. AL BOUM PHOTO 2.SANTINI. 2 DELTA WORK.
