We provide a horse-by-horse guide to the runners in line for Saturday's Racing Post Gold Cup at Cheltenham.
Last month's Paddy Power Gold Cup, run on the Old Course over two and a half miles and 44 yards, is the obvious starting point for this similar handicap which is run on the New Course over a trip that's only 83 yards longer but provides a more exacting test of stamina due to its configuration.
Half of the last 10 winners contested the Paddy Power Gold Cup - finishing 3rd, 2nd, 9th, 10th, 2nd - and this season's race, won by Midnight Shadow, promises to be well represented on Saturday, and it's no surprise that last month's leading players dominate the ante-post market.
Cepage
- Trainer: Venetia Williams
- Form: /P144-
- Odds: 14/1
Pulled up in this race on his first start of last season when sent off at 9/1 (and is now rated 2lbs higher) having finished fourth as the 5/1 favourite in 2019 and second in 2018. Very obviously suited by the demands of this test and returns to action with his yard enjoying plenty of success but will not to post a career best to win from his current handicap mark.
Midnight Shadow
- Trainer: Sue Smith
- Form: 02P-31
- Odds: 17/2
Beat all bar a handicap blot in last year's renewal of this race from 6lbs lower. Stepped up from his seasonal reappearance to win the Paddy Power Gold Cup with a really game display from the front, beating impressive subsequent winner Protektorat by three parts of a length, to leave connections dreaming of a tilt at the King George. He'll need to go close here if he's to be competitive at Kempton and Johns Spirit came within a head of winning both Cheltenham races from similar ratings in 2014; he should give his running but will obviously find life that bit harder.
Fusil Raffles
- Trainer: Nicky Henderson
- Form: 12P-21
- Odds: 10/1
Likeable individual who enjoyed a successful first season over fences, winning three before finishing second to stablemate Chantry House in the Marsh Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. A fortuitous winner of the Charlie Hall in October but he's unpenalised for that success and this consistent sort is arguably open to further improvement over fences and this sort of trip.
Lalor
- Trainer: Paul Nicholls
- Form: 3/P-P3
- Odds: 4/1
Promising as a youngster but had the odd setback and rather lost his way. Impressed on his first start for Paul Nicholls when keeping on well for third behind Midnight Shadow in the Paddy Power Gold Cup. Expected to strip fitter for that outing and remains feasibly treated following a 2lb rise having placed over this course and distance from a higher mark for previous connections when just half a length and neck behind Cepage in January 2020. Still relatively unexposed after 10 chase and 19 career starts and is clearly a big player.
Silver Hallmark
- Trainer: Fergal O'Brien
- Form: 7/21-4
- Odds: 11/2
Has had just six career starts but beat McFabulous in a maiden hurdle and ran Fiddlerontheroof to a head on his chase debut before winning at Haydock. Gave weight away all round on his October return at Carlisle in a race won by the latter horse and the form of that race is strong. He was beaten over 10 lengths but should improve for that first start since January and there's little doubt that he has the capability to rate higher if he can cope with the different demands of a big field handicap.
Zanza
- Trainer: Philip Hobbs
- Form: FP6-36
- Odds: 12/1
Caught many an eye when falling at this course a year ago (in a race won by Sky Pirate) when still appearing to be travelling strongly and was sent off at just 8/1 for the Grand Annual (pulled up) on his next start as a result. Yet to justify the column inches but retains potential and ran reasonable races this season in the Haldon and Paddy Power Gold Cups, finishing sixth in the latter on his first start at around this distance, and wouldn't need to step up too much on that to take a hand.
Dostal Phil
- Trainer: Philip Hobbs
- Form: 323-U4
- Odds: 6/1
Stablemate of Zanza finished two places and a couple of lengths in front of him here last month. A winner on his chase debut (beating Sunday's Peterborough Chase second Funambule Sivola) but has failed to win since despite hitting the frame on all completed starts at around two miles. Appeared to appreciate the trip in the Paddy Power Gold Cup, finishing well, and that could be key to unlocking further improvement. Obvious chance.
Francky Du Berlais
- Trainer: Peter Bowen
- Form: 113168
- Odds: 33/1
Made hay in the summer, winning three times to take his chase record to four from 16 but found wanting this autumn and up against it on that evidence.
Siruh Du Lac
- Trainer: David Pipe
- Form: PF/U-7
- Odds: 14/1
Has had just four starts since winning the Plate at the 2019 Cheltenham Festival, failing to complete in three of them. Having his second start for this yard when reappearing in a three mile novice hurdle at this course and ran well enough until his stamina / lack of fitness gave out. His stable is ticking along nicely, he's fairly handicapped and not too long in the tooth - comes with obvious risks but one of the more interesting contenders at longer odds.
Coole Cody
- Trainer: Evan Williams
- Form: 344-2F
- Odds: 9/1
Game front runner who won last season's Paddy Power Gold Cup but could only finish sixth in this contest. In the process of running a huge race in defence of his crown when falling two out but it remains to be seen whether he can back that up on the New Course (which places greater emphasis on stamina) on ground that may well be softer than ideal.
Deyrann De Carjac
- Trainer: Alan King
- Form: /P-350
- Odds: 33/1
Useful novice chaser two seasons back, finishing third in a couple of Grade Twos (including when two lengths behind Midnight Shadow), but only ran once last season before two outings in May and June. Achieved little in those three starts and was well held in the Paddy Power Gold Cup last time. A player on his best form but hasn't obviously hinted that a return to that level is imminent.
Farinet
- Trainer: Venetia Williams
- Form: /3231-
- Odds: 8/1
Just the two starts since arriving from France, building on a promising third when dotting up in a useful race at Sandown from an 8lb lower mark. Missed the Paddy Power Gold Cup due to the quick ground but conditions promise to be more to his liking on Saturday and his yard are enjoying a good spell. Lack of a run unlikely to be an issue for this unexposed six-year-old who could easily make significant progress through the handicap ranks. Live player.
Joke Dancer
- Trainer: Sue Smith
- Form: 610-5F
- Odds: 33/1
A winner of one of his last nine starts who has become dangerously well handicapped. Didn't appear to stay three miles and a furlong last time and even if this trip may be more suitable all of his seven wins have been at around the minimum at a lesser level so it's hard to see him playing a hand.
Beakstown
- Trainer: Dan Skelton
- Form: 2435/3
- Odds: 14/1
Finished fifth in the 2020 novices' handicap chase at the 2020 Cheltenham Festival but was then off the track for over 600 days until reappearing at Aintree. He was sent off as joint-favourite suggesting he was reasonably straight but it's not unreasonable to hope for some improvement for the outing. His best days may still be ahead of him but as with stablemate Knight In Dubai who has a not dissimilar profile, the market may well be useful.
Topofthecotswolds
- Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies
- Form: 256P2U
- Odds: 25/1
Ran well enough at Wetherby at the start of last month when chasing home an unexposed and potentially useful sort but got no further than the first at Newbury last time. More exposed than a number of these and yet to show the requisite level of form to be competitive and not an obvious winner.
VERDICT
Siruh Du Luc is one of the more interesting runners at longer odds but he has more to prove than the similarly priced FARINET whose stable sent out Cloudy Glen to win a feature handicap at Newbury on his seasonal return just two weekends ago, and Venetia Williams could well repeat the feat.
Unexposed in this country but with a decent amount of experience in France, the form of his win at Sandown hasn't worked out terribly well but he was very impressive and it's encouraging that his yard has had plenty of fun in recent seasons with other recruits such as Funambule Sivola and Fanion d'Estruval who have made serious progress through the ranks; Farinet could well make similar strides and appeals as one to get onside with Rachael Blackmore booked to do the steering.
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