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The Gold Cup is a horse race second only to the Grand National in the nation's affections. Run on the Friday of the four-day Cheltenham Festival, the race has the ability to change the lives of horses, jockeys, owners and trainers – in no small part owing to the £625,000 prize fund.
Golden Miller holds the record for most Gold Cup wins with five in the 1930s, while last year's edition was won by A Plus Tard, ridden by Rachael Blackmore, who became the first female jockey to win the event. A Plus Tard had jumped the final fence alongside Minella Indo, a stablemate and defending champion, but pulled away in front of the grandstand.
A Plus Tard will be back in the running this year and is among the favourites in the ante-post market. Galopin Des Champs leads the betting, with Noble Yeats, the winner of the 2022 Grand National, also well backed.
The race itself is at 3.30pm on Friday, March 17.
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6
Galopin Des Champs
Trainer
W. P. Mullins
Jockey
Paul Townend
Should already be a festival winner but fell at the last with the Turners at his mercy last year. Has recovered well and three Grade One wins since, including the Irish Gold Cup over three miles, mean he is very much the horse to beat on this season’s form. The pick of the four entered by Willie Mullins.
2
A Plus Tard
Trainer
Henry de Bromhead
Jockey
Rachael Blackmore
Last year’s winner and something of a specialist when it comes to putting up big performances at Cheltenham. However, comes in under something of a cloud this year having been pulled up in November’s Betfair Chase – his only appearance this season. Relationship with Rachael Blackmore is a massive plus, though.
3
Bravemansgame
Trainer
Paul Nicholls
Jockey
Harry Cobden
The best chance of a British-trained winner and has done nothing but impress this season. His rousing success in the King George on Boxing Day underlined his class but he lacks the Cheltenham experience of some of his rivals – his only run at Prestbury Park coming at the 2021 festival.
9
Noble Yeats
Trainer
Emmet Mullins
Jockey
Sean Bowen
Bucking the trend of Grand National winners who have struggled to train on. Has won two of his three starts this season, including a win in the Grade Two Many Clouds at Aintree, and put in a good showing when third behind Ahoy Senor at Cheltenham last time. A thorough stayer but questions as to whether he has the class for a race like this.
13
Stattler
Trainer
W P Mullins
Jockey
P W Mullins
A confirmed stayer who won last year’s National Hunt Chase over four miles. Is still progressing as an eight-year-old but has not yet won a Grade One and as such he must prove he has all the tools to better the best in this division. Eight lengths behind Galopin Des Champs in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown. Another of the Mullins quartet.
4
Conflated
Trainer
Gordon Elliott
Jockey
Davey Russell
Gordon Elliott’s leading hope leaped back into Gold Cup contention after his win in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas. Fell in last year’s Ryanair when looking beaten behind Allaho but that trip looks a bit sharp for him in truth. Eliott will be hoping stable jockey Jack Kennedy is fit enough to take the ride.
10
Protektorat
Trainer
Dan Skelton
Jockey
Harry Skelton
Won the Betfair Chase this season before coming up short behind Ahoy Senor at Cheltenham in January. Perhaps needed that run after a short mid-season layoff and should certainly come on plenty for that effort. Ran a big race when third in the Gold Cup last season and perfectly capable of matching, if not bettering, that.
1
Ahoy Senor
Trainer
Lucinda Russell
Jockey
Derek Fox
A mercurial talent, whose inconsistencies make him both a dangerous and tantalising betting proposition. His win at Cheltenham on trials day vaulted him back into the conversation for this but performances this season prior did little to inspire confidence. Has a lot to find on form with Bravemansgame on recent evidence.
8
Minella Indo
Trainer
Henry de Bromhead
Jockey
Mark Walsh
The Gold Cup winner in 2021 has struggled to recapture that level of form since and it would be a shock to see him regain his crown this year. That said, his price does offer each-way possibilities and his win over Stattler at Tramore on New Year’s Day suggests a place finish is within range if things fall right for him.
12
Sounds Russian
Trainer
Ruth Jefferson
Jockey
Sean Quinlan
An intriguing candidate, who still has room to improve after just 12 runs under rules. Has graduated from the handicap ranks with aplomb this season and ran a massive race when second to Ahoy Senor on trials day. Obvious drawback is his lack of a Graded win and that has to raise questions about whether he has the ability for this level.
7
Hewick
Trainer
John Joseph Hanlon
Jockey
Jordan Gainford
On paper he looks a tad short of the level required for a race like this but he has been in excellent form this season, winning both Galway Plate and American Grand National. Held every chance in the Kerry National when unseating Jordan Gainford and will not be undone by a lack of stamina if lining up for the Gold Cup.
11
Royale Pagaille
Trainer
Venetia Williams
Jockey
Charlie Deutsch
An admirable stayer but one for whom the top level always appears to represent a bridge too far. When on song he’s an excellent galloper and he would come more into the equation should the conditions come up heavy. However, he’s never come within 14 lengths of a winner in five Grade-1 starts.
5
Eldorado Allen
Trainer
Joe Tizzard
Jockey
Brendan Powell
Caught between a rock and a hard place as a competitive Grade 2 horse, who’s likely never going to win a Grade 1 but would often be weighted out of a handicap. Another who found Bravemansgame’s tempo too hot to handle at Kempton and will likely be found in the same predicament in the Gold Cup.