There is no Sizing John to defend his crown in the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase but that’s the only negative attached to what is a terrific renewal of the UK’s most prestigious National Hunt race of the season and the feature on the final day of the Cheltenham Festival.
The four who chased home Sizing John 12 months ago are all back for more. Minella Rocco, Native River, Djakadam and Saphir Du Rheu are the quartet in question but only Native River arrives in decent form. He’s had a much lighter campaign than when third last year and made a winning reappearance at Newbury. But he likes to be prominent and that could clash with the tactics on board Might Bite, another confirmed front-runner.
Winner of his last five races over fences, including the King George at Kempton in December. He won the RSA Chase at Cheltenham last year but almost threw it away when trying to run out after jumping the last. He is a galloping machine but rarely foot-perfect and this opposition will put his jumping under maximum pressure. Nicky Henderson has already won the Champion Hurdle and Champion Chase at this year’s Festival but no trainer has ever won the Gold Cup as well in the same season and Might Bite is now contesting favouritism at a general 9/2 with Native River in the light of support for others.
OUR DUKE (5/1 with Coral among others at the time of writing) won a Grade 1 at Leopardstown and the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse in his first season as a chaser. That may have taken its toll as he ran a shocker on his reappearance in the Jnwine Chase at Down Royal on his reappearance and was then behind Edwulf, Djakadam and Outlander in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown but put that all behind him when successful conceding 7lb to Presenting Percy at Gowran. The runner-up was hugely impressing win winning the RSA Chase on Wednesday and Jessica Harrington may have unearthed a worthy successor to Sizing John.
Definitly Red lacks winning form at the highest level but Brian Ellison’s much-improved stayer has been very impressive in his last two starts and could reward each-way support at 888sport’s 12/1. Road To Respect is consistent and adds to the interest.
Cheltenham Gold Cup Trends
None of the last 18 winners of the Cheltenham Gold Cup have been aged older than nine. All but one had had a run in the previous three months and most had run over fences at Cheltenham before. Only two winners since 2003 had not finished either first and second in their previous start. Winning form over at least 3m is a good pointer and trends also favour those that have won a Grade 1 before. Nine of the last 10 winners had run three times or less in the current season. The top three in the betting have an excellent record.
Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase
Might Bite and Native River 9/2, Our Duke 5/1, Killultagh Vic 10/1, Definitly Red 12/1, Road To Respect 14/1, Edwulf and Total Recall 16/1, Minella Rocco 25/1, Anibale Fly 28/1, Bachasson, Djakadam and Outlander 33/1, Double Shuffle 50/1, Tea For Two 66/1, Saphir Du Rheu 80/1, Shantou Flyer 100/1
The St. James’s Place Foxhunter Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase is the Gold Cup for amateur riders and smaller stables, though some big yards are represented including Paul Nicholls, who saddles four runners including last year’s first and second Pacha De Polder and Wonderful Charm.
Ireland could be celebrating again, however, with Katie Walsh’s mount FOXROCK fancied to get the better of the younger Burning Ambition at a generous-looking 8/1 (general).
APPLE’S SHAKIRA can become the first filly in 18 years to win the JCB Triumph Hurdle and win the race for the second year in succession for owner JP McManus. She is fairly priced at 2/1 with 888sport given she’s yet to have been seriously tested in three runs at Cheltenham.
BOUVREIL might be a decent each-way bet in the closing Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase at the general 20/1 as he has a very good Festival record and is sure to be staying on when others have cried enough while we’re liking the 28/1 with Ladbrokes about MELROSE BOY in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockey’s Handicap Hurdle. He found 2m7f just about too far last time and is still well handicapped. Some bookmakers will pay out on the first five places in this race.
