15:30 Cheltenham

Friday 15 March 2019

All13:3014:1014:5015:3016:1016:5017:30

Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 6m 39.06s

Al Boum Photo⁷³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 164

12/1

One of four runners from this yard (hold a strong hand in this division) he fell in last year's RSA before throwing away a Grade 1 at Punchestown. Capable at this level (unfulfilled potential); won well when last seen on New Year's Day at Tramore.

Form: F2F1R-1

Anibale Fly^t²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: B J Geraghty| T: A J Martin| OR: 164

22/1

High-class chaser, third in this last year (loved the testing conditions); then finished fourth in the Grand National. Brought along very quietly this season (two runs over inadequate trips); would have a place chance again in similar conditions.

Form: 1F34-62

Bellshill⁴⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Ruby Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 168

9/1

Festival regular since 2015 (missed last year) he's proven at this level over fences, turning in his best performance last time out to win Irish Gold Cup), reversing recent form with Road To Respect. Jumps well and each-way chance in an open year.

Form: 3/151-41

Bristol De Mai⁷⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: D A Jacob| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 173| D

18/1

Flat tracks appear to suit him much better although he did finish runner-up in the JLT here. Has on occasion turned in some devastating performances but fell in the King George last time. Doubts remain that he can improve on his seventh in 2017.

Form: 1632-1F

Clan Des Obeaux²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 173

5/1

The fresh face this year his King George victory saw him blow away five of today's rivals (Thistlecrack nearest); warmed up for this with an easy victory since. Jumps very well but does still have a stamina question to answer; 0-4 at Cheltenham.

Form: 123-411

Definitly Red²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Danny Cook| T: B Ellison| OR: 162| BF| C| D

50/1

Sixth in this last year when suited by the conditions (went off an 8-1 chance) he arrived on the back of two Grade 2 victories. Two more successes at that level have followed this season but that may be as good he is; beaten in a match last time.

Form: 16U-112

Double Shuffle^h²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 158

100/1

Has on occasions run well at the highest level but looks happier off big weights in decent handicaps these days. Ran well when second in handicap last time but this surely looks a bridge too far.

Form: 74-F252

Elegant Escape⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: T J O'Brien| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 162| BF

20/1

Tough and genuine sort who gives his trainer a strong hand; finished third in last season's RSA (behind Presenting Percy). Showed his true worth this season as a staying chaser (after a wind op); won Welsh Grand National, needs a real stamina test.

Form: 33-1212

Invitation Only⁵⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 161

33/1

Outsider of the quartet from this yard (pulled-up in last year's JLT); has shown some useful form over fences; topped off by his Thyestes win last time out. Often travels strongly but found out at this level before; more needed.

Form: 3P3U-31

Kemboy⁷⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: D J Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 168

8/1

Fourth to Shattered Love (JLT last year) he's come on leaps and bounds since then winning his last four races; best performance last time (Savills Chase; good guide to this). Dismissed some proven Grade 1 performers there; unexposed at staying trips.

Form: 4F11-11

Might Bite⁷⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 169| BF| CWS

14/1

Went down fighting last year in this (narrowly beaten by Native River); won the RSA the year before. Produced two lacklustre performances since then at Grade 1 level (bled in the King George); wind op since, hard to see him back at his best.

Form: 1121-57

Native River^p⁷⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: R Johnson| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 173| CD

6/1

Last year's hero going two better than the previous year to win an epic battle versus Might Bite. Done better than his old adversary this year without having ideal conditions although it looks as though conditions will be in his favour here.

Form: 13/11-23

Presenting Percy^t⁵⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: D N Russell| T: P G Kelly| OR: 165| C

10/3

Dual Festival winner (Pertemps/RSA) who has developed into a high-class chaser although he won't have been seen over fences since his RSA win. Just the one run (and win) in public since last year; will do well to win/justify his price off that prep.

Form: 31121-1

Thistlecrack⁷⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: T Scudamore| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 170| C

12/1

Injuries appear to have robbed this top-class performer of his chance to land this although he has looked back to his best in two starts this season. Has a chance to reverse King George form with Clan Des Obeaux; advancing years make him vulnerable.

Form: 12/54-32

Yala Enki²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 155| BF| D

100/1

Smart chaser at handicap level (very good third to Elegant Escape; Welsh Grand National) but turned in a rare poor effort last time at Haydock. Can front run and may have his moment in glory out in front but surprising if he was good enough.

Form: 166-135

Shattered Love^t⁷⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 154| CWS

20/1

Only mare in the field (last year's JLT winner by 7L) but hasn't won since that success (may have slipped under the radar). Reportedly had sore shins when below-par (behind Kemboy) last time; given time/wind op, not out of this.

Form: 125-220

Forecasts

Presenting Percy (10/3), Clan Des Obeaux (5/1), Native River (6/1), Kemboy (8/1), Bellshill (9/1), Al Boum Photo (12/1), Thistlecrack (12/1), Might Bite (14/1), Bristol De Mai (18/1), Elegant Escape (20/1), Shattered Love (20/1), Anibale Fly (22/1), Invitation Only (33/1), Definitly Red (50/1), Yala Enki (100/1), Double Shuffle (100/1)

A fascinating renewal with Willie Mullins trying to win his first Gold Cup (had six seconds) fielding a strong squad headed by KEMBOY and Bellshill. The former really impressed when winning a good trial for this and may be the one to end the trainers luckless run in this. King George winner Clan Des Obeaux holds a few of these on that run but this will be a very different test and it’s not hard to see last year’s winner Native River reversing that form back under conditions that should really suit. Presenting Percy is the enigma of the race having had an “interrupted” preparation while Shattered Love may be the one to outrun her odds off the back of a wind op and a break.