14:20 Cheltenham

Saturday 16 November 2024

All12:3513:1013:4514:2014:5515:3016:00

Paddy Power Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 4m 59.53s

Protektorat^t²¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 167| CD

9/1

Won the 2022 Betfair Chase at Haydock. Came up a little short in top-level staying races subsequently but a drop in trip saw him bounce back to winning ways in the Ryanair at the Festival in March. Backed that up when 2½ lengths third to Jonbon at Aintree. Clear top weight but still respected.

Form: 432313-

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Ga Law^p³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 155| CD

9/2

Won this race 2 years ago and bagged another big middle-distance handicap here in January. Better than ever when second on 19.5f Chepstow reappearance in January and his fine course record earns him a place on the shortlist.

Form: 671P2-2

Ginny's Destiny²¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 155| CD

3/1

Had an excellent first campaign over fences with the Paul Nicholls yard, including a course hat-trick between November and January. Even better form when second to Gray Dawning at the Festival in March and runner-up in another Grade 1 at Aintree on final start. A bold show looks assured.

Form: 711122-

Editeur Du Gite³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: N F Houlihan| T: G & J Moore| OR: 154| C

100/1

Bold-jumping front runner whose Desert Orchid success at Kempton last Christmas shows he's still really smart on his day. However, he's been well below that level in 4 outings since, dropping away tamely at Chepstow last month.

Form: 415P-P9

Janidil^b1,t¹⁰⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins| OR: 153| BF| D

40/1

Hasn't been at his best since chasing home Allaho in the Clonmel Oil last November but his stamina might have been stretched by 22.5f on soft ground when only third when favourite for a Galway conditions race in August. First-time blinkers replace cheekpieces.

Form: 230P-F3

Fugitif^t²¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: S Bowen| T: R Hobson| OR: 152| CWS

28/1

Finally landed a big pot in December Gold Cup here last December. Ended last season with a whimper but back to only 1 lb above that winning mark if a 7-month break and wind surgery have a reviving effect.

Form: 5/413PP-

Imagine³⁰⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham| OR: 145

6/1

Looked an exciting chasing prospect when successful at Fairyhouse and Punchestown (Grade 2) last November. Well below par when only fourth back at Punchestown in January. Subsequently sold out of Gordon Elliott's yard for 320,000 euros. Low-mileage chaser who remains capable of better.

Form: 253/114-

Jetoile^t³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: Dylan Johnston⁽³⁾| T: R Potter| OR: 145| D

66/1

Won handicap chases in 2022, notably the Old Roan at Aintree. Matched that form when fourth to the reopposing Lets Go Champ at Punchestown in May. Looked rusty back from break at Chepstow 5 weeks ago and needs to have come on a lot.

Form: 1/14P4-0

In Excelsis Deo^p¹⁰⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Bryan Carver| T: H Fry| OR: 143| C

8/1

Career best when winning the Silver Trophy over 20.5f here in April. Ran poorly in the Galway Plate in first-time cheekpieces (retained) in July but he has a good Cheltenham record and his yard in among the winners. Respected.

Form: 32U51-P

Lets Go Champ¹⁰⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: Mike O'Connor⁽³⁾| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 141| D

15/2

Just his second handicap chase when readily justifying market support in a big field at Punchestown in May. Respectable sixth of 22 in Galway Plate (22.5f) 3 months later. Possible that trip just stretched him and could resume his progression now.

Form: 2/3231-6

Hartur D'arc²²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: J J Burke| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 140| D

33/1

Won a 2½m Cork maiden chase and Leinster National at Naas (25.5f) on first 2 outings for Gavin Cromwell. Stamina might have been stretched in the Irish Grand National final start. Drops back significantly in trip on his reappearance for a stable whose Cheltenham runners always merit respect.

Form: 323110-

Madara¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Tristan Durrell⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 140| C

16/1

Much improved for Sophie Leach last term, winning good 2m handicaps here and at Leopardstown. Lacklustre display on Ascot reappearance a fortnight ago (only run for Kieran Burke). Dan Skelton hasn't had long to work his magic but still no shock to see a big run. Up in trip.

Form: U6119-8

Il Ridoto^p,t³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Freddie Gingell⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 138| C

10/1

Likeable sort who was third in this last year before finishing second to Fugitif and third to Ga Law in other strong handicaps here in December/January. Didn't shape with obvious promise on last month's Chepstow reappearance after wind surgery but course form makes him a dangerous one to dismiss.

Form: 2308P-5

Straw Fan Jack^p²⁰³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: Sean Houlihan| T: Sheila Lewis| OR: 135| C| D

40/1

Smart in his novice chase season. Didn't reach quite the same level in the last campaign but did finish third in the Plate at the Festival. Has to race from 6 lb out of handicap on reappearance.

Form: 4/23036-

Weveallbeencaught^p²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Jack Tudor| T: Christian Williams| OR: 131| CD

20/1

Useful hurdler/chaser for Nigel Twiston-Davies. Has run up to his best in novices at Worcester and this venue (handicap) for new yard this autumn but a big career best will be needed from 10 lb out of the handicap.

Form: 2660-32

Forecasts

Ginny's Destiny (3/1), Ga Law (9/2), Imagine (6/1), Lets Go Champ (15/2), In Excelsis Deo (8/1), Protektorat (9/1), Il Ridoto (10/1), Madara (16/1), Weveallbeencaught (20/1), Fugitif (28/1), Hartur D'arc (33/1), Janidil (40/1), Straw Fan Jack (40/1), Jetoile (66/1), Editeur Du Gite (100/1)

GINNY'S DESTINY has a similar profile to Stage Star who won this for the Nicholls/Cobden combination last year and can enhance his excellent Cheltenham record. 2022 winner Ga Law is feared most on the back of his fine reappearance second at Chepstow. In Excelsis Deo, another with strong Cheltenham form, is next on the list ahead of Harry Derham's new recruit Imagine.