14:20 Cheltenham

Saturday 14 November 2026

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

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

4YO plus | Class 1 | 2m 4f 44y | 15 Runners | Turf

Matata²¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: J J Slevin| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 155| C

14/1

Bounced back to best under a more patient ride when winning a premier handicap over C&D on New Year's Day. Has failed by a long way to back that up in 4 subsequent starts, tailed off when falling 3 out at Ayr (2m, heavy) back in April. Solid record fresh and handicapper given him a squeak, however.

Form: 3155PF-

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Meetmebythesea²⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Cobden| T: B Pauling| OR: 151| C

5/2

Continued his improvement switched to fences when scoring at Wetherby and Ayr either side of last Christmas before taking his record in this sphere to 3-4 when powering clear to win the 18-runner Golden Miller (21f) at the Festival. That form worked out well and type to progress further this season.

Form: 13/1161-

Johnnywho^t²¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 150| C| D

22/1

Several good efforts in top handicap chases, returning from a breathing operation to land the Ultima at the Festival (25f, good to soft) in March. Emerged with credit when fourth in the Grand National last time but returns from a 7-month break over a trip short of his optimum.

Form: 5/53514-

Blueking D'oroux^p²¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 148| C| D

7/2

Smart hurdler who took a step forward over fences when just denied in handicap at Kempton in March and signed off last season with a good second in the Manifesto Novices' Chase at Aintree (2½m). Run style should suit this test and he holds strong claims on first start for Dan Skelton.

Form: 1/21522-

Riskintheground^t¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Atkins⁽⁵⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 146| C| D

20/1

Smart handicap chaser who rather picked up the pieces when staying on into third in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby (3m, good) 14 days ago. Work to be done from this mark, though.

Form: 1-21363

July Flower²⁰⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 142| C| D

5/1

Made a winning chase bow at Limerick before producing a smart effort to follow up in 2m Grade 2 at this meeting 12 months ago. Shaped quite well until her stamina gave way when fourth of 9 in Champion Novices' Chase at Punchestown (25f) in April and her opening looks workable with O'Keeffe aboard.

Form: 5/11354-

Quebecois^t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 141| BF

5/1

Took well to chasing last year despite failing to get his head in front, finishing a very good third of 22 in the Ultima at Cheltenham (25f, good to soft). Failed to capitalise on what looked a good opportunity at Newton Abbot 4 weeks ago (hit 1.03 in running) but yard has fine record in this race.

Form: 4223P-2

O'Moore Park²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: Freddie Keighley⁽⁵⁾| T: M Keighley| OR: 138| CD

11/1

Posted plenty of solid efforts for Willie Mullins last season, including when sixth in the Plate over C&D in March. Finally shed his maiden tag over fences second time out for this yard when winning a 9-runner handicap chase over C&D (good) 3 weeks ago but more needed to take this after 4 lb rise.

Form: 067-931

Guard Your Dreams^t³¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-11| J: Toby McCain-Mitchell⁽³⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 138| BF| CD

40/1

Enhanced his excellent record fresh when winning at Warwick (2½m, soft) in February. Brought down early at the Cheltenham Festival next time before respectable fourth of 17 in the Veterans' Final at Haydock, though proved disappointing on this season's comeback run at Ffos Las last month.

Form: F/21B4-P

Zurich^t1²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: S Bowen| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 138| CD

15/2

Bagged a pair of handicap chases at Killarney and over C&D last October. Turned in some good efforts in defeat after, including fifth of 23 in the Plate at the Festival and he should be sharper for his recent comeback run at Limerick, though mark looks about right and O'Keeffe prefers July Flower.

Form: 11352-5

Release The Beast^t¹⁹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Sean Flanagan| T: P Nolan| OR: 135

10/1

Hard to knock his form in handicaps last season, finishing fourth in the Grand Annual at the Festival. Rare jumping lapse saw him unseat early at Punchestown last time but others look better treated after 6 months off.

Form: 66/224U-

Torneo³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 134

10/1

Held his form well last season and gained reward when winning 3-runner event at Chepstow on final start, albeit in a race that fell apart in front of him. Proved he's still on the up when winning 8-runner handicap chase at Ffos Las (19f, soft) 31 days ago but this is tougher again after 5 lb rise.

Form: 42461-1

Dunkerque^p⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 132| BF| D

40/1

Has thrived over fences this summer, scoring 4 times in small-field contests at up to 23f. Last 2 defeats shouldn't necessarily be taken to suggest that the handicapper has caught up with him, things not panning out ideally at Warwick last time, but this would require a clear career best.

Form: 112123

Non-Runners

Madara¹³

Weight: 11-11| Age: 7

T: D Skelton J: Non Runner

Norn Iron¹⁹⁷

Weight: 10-10| Age: 8

T: Harry Derham J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Meetmebythesea (5/2), Blueking D'oroux (4/1), Quebecois (9/2), July Flower (7/1), Madara (8/1), Zurich (8/1), Torneo (8/1), Norn Iron (10/1), O'Moore Park (12/1), Matata (20/1), Release The Beast (20/1), Johnnywho (25/1), Guard Your Dreams (50/1), Riskintheground (50/1), Dunkerque (66/1)

A typically competitive renewal of the Paddy Power with preference going to BLUEKING D'OROUX, who improved since being fitted with headgear for Paul Nicholls and makes his debut for Dan Skelton over a track and trip that should suit his prominent-racing style. Madara was a revelation when winning the Plate at the Festival and has to be respected after a spin over hurdles, whilst fellow Festival winner Meetmebythesea remains unexposed and can continue to improve in his second season over fences.