15:30 Cheltenham

Friday 13 March 2020

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

Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 6m 50.38s

Al Boum Photo⁷²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 175| CD

10/3

Defending Gold Cup holder who makes his third Festival visit (fell in 2018 RSA) having had exactly the same preparation as last year. Took the now Grade 3 Tramore New Year's Day Chase by 6L (won cosily) from three rivals; another bid on the cards.

Form: 1R/11-21

Bristol De Mai⁴⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: D A Jacob| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 170| BF| D

18/1

Two previous tries in this resulted in a seventh (2017) and a creditable third last year. Runner-up in both his Grade 1 starts this season including at his beloved Haydock; has work to do with Lostintranslation and Santini who beat him last time.

Form: 1F34-22

Chris's Dream²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Aidan Coleman| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 165

20/1

One of two runners from this yard; progressive chaser having won the Troytown (handicap debut) at Navan and a Grade 2 (Red Mills) at Gowran Park last month. Overcame the drop back in trip (2m4f) last time; needs to improve but lively outsider.

Form: 215-P11

Clan Des Obeaux⁷⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 173

7/1

Dual King George winner bouncing back to form in the latest edition to score by 21L. Shaped better than the distance beaten in last year's renewal fifth); given a different preparation this time, could well be a different proposition this year.

Form: 1152-21

Delta Work^h,t⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Mark Walsh| T: G Elliott| OR: 171| C

5/1

Good Festival record; won the Pertemps Hurdle prior to finishing third in last year's RSA (Santini second). Needed the outing on reappearance, since taken two Grade 1's (Savills Chase/Irish Gold Cup); 6-8 over fences, jumps/stays well, shortlist.

Form: 13-1411

Elegant Escape²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 161| BF

66/1

Falls just short at top level despite having run with credit at last two Festivals (sixth in this last year). Thorough stayer, best effort this year second in the Ladbrokes Trophy; underwent wind op after sixth in Welsh National; below-par last time.

Form: 66-236P

Kemboy⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 175| BF

8/1

Top-class chaser; won all his three (Grade 1) completed starts last season, only failure came in this (unseated first). Bounced back with two Grade 1 wins; not quite managed to match his best form this season; second to Delta Work last time.

Form: 1U1-142

Lostintranslation^t1⁷⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 173| C| DWS

10/1

New kid on the block having proved himself as a novice and around this course (second in JLT last year). Started this season by winning 2-2 including Grade 1 Betfair Chase; flopped in King George (jumped poorly), absent since, had wind surgery.

Form: 221-11P

Monalee⁷⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 168

20/1

A frequent Festival visitor (runner-up Albert Bartlett/RSA) he's often come up short at this level but bounced back to his best last time in the Grade 1 Savills Chase. Gave Delta Work a fair race (had the run of the race); stamina doubts remain.

Form: 214-P32

Presenting Percy^t⁴⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: D N Russell| T: P G Kelly| OR: 166| C

10/1

Dual Festival winner (Pertemps/RSA); beaten favourite in this last year (eighth) having not been seen over fences since winning the RSA (never travelling well). Brought along steadily this year, only third to Delta Work/Kemboy last time; work to do.

Form: 1/18-353

Real Steel²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: B S Hughes| T: W P Mullins| OR: 164| BF

50/1

Outsider of the trio from this yard; sixth in the RSA last year summing up his level of ability. Twice a Grade 2 winner this season over 2m4f, he performed poorly last time (pulled-up) behind Chris's Dream; stamina/ability doubts hard to overcome.

Form: 2-1141P

Santini^p1⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 171| C

5/1

Twice Festival placed (Albert Bartlett/RSA); far from impressive when odds-on for his seasonal return at Sandown (scrapped home). Given a wind op/break, produced a far more convincing run when winning Cotswold Chase; merits close consideration.

Form: 1/132-11

Forecasts

Al Boum Photo (10/3), Santini (5/1), Delta Work (5/1), Clan Des Obeaux (7/1), Kemboy (8/1), Lostintranslation (10/1), Presenting Percy (10/1), Bristol De Mai (18/1), Monalee (20/1), Chris's Dream (20/1), Real Steel (50/1), Elegant Escape (66/1)

Strong representation from Ireland who have won three of the last four renewals with Al Boum Photo bidding to become the first since Best Mate to retain his crown. He’s sure to go close off the back of the same preparation as last year when beating five of today’s rivals. Clan Des Obeaux a dual King George winner has been given a break since his latest triumph and he looks the most likely to reverse last year’s form. DELTA WORK has decisions over several of the other Irish contenders this year, his form looks rock solid in a bid to give his trainer a second Gold Cup. Santini a place in front of the selection in the RSA last year will provide a tough challenge having proved himself last time.