Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1)

An open and interesting Gold Cup with none of the runners having a rock solid profile despite there being some likeable types amongst them. Cue Card would be a very popular winner but would have to break a long established age trend to carry off what would be a deserved victory in the race. His trainer probably has more chance with the younger and very tough Native River who bids to give the form of the National Hunt Chase from last year a further boost, if he can find a rhythm in front he will be hard to pass. Djakadam bids to improve on his two seconds in the race but he’s come up short before and it may well be a place is the best that he can hope for again. Both Sizing John and Outlander would be plausible winners but they do have to prove their stamina for what will be their most demanding test yet. This could come a year or two too soon for Bristol De Mai and there are still question marks over the jumping ability of Champagne West. The Jonjo O’Neill stable often comes to life in the spring and he saddles two in this with Minella Rocco and MORE OF THAT. Both have Festival wins to their name but it’s More Of That who is the better fancied of the duo and if he came back to his hurdling best he may just be able to build on the spark he showed last time out to land this famous prize.

1. More Of That
2. Native River
3. Sizing John