The Gold Cup is the Blue Riband of the Cheltenham Festival and, despite the absence of the injured Coneygree and the late defection of Vautour, we have a competitive if not vintage renewal to examine. It is well documented that legendary Irish trainer Willie Mullins has never saddled the winner of the event but he has two outstanding chances this year courtesy of last year’s runner up Djakadam and the 2015 RSA Chase winner Don Poli (3.30) and it is the latter who gets the vote.
The selection hasn’t impressed everyone so far this season but jumps, stays and will be running on up the hill when others have cried enough. He is not flashy and is likely to hit a flat spot at some time during the race, but Smad Place should ensure there is no hiding place and Don Poli can give jockey Davy Russell a second win in the race in the last three seasons following the success of Lord Windermere in 2014,
Djakadam ran a cracker behind Coneygree in the corresponding race 12 months ago but he came down in his prep race back at Cheltenham in January and was on the easy list for a week having suffered a cut on his chest. Ruby Walsh rides and the horse is reported to be in top form and he could easily go one better this year. Cue Card and Don Cossack are, arguably, classier animals than the Mullins’ pair but they have stamina to prove and the final hill might just catch them out. Cue Card is going for a £1m bonus and would be another wonderful story having first won at the Festival six years ago in the Bumper (2m) before landing the Ryanair (2m 5f) three years later. He is slowly working his way up in trip and it would be some hat-trick.
Sceau Royal (1.30) has impressed with his jumping this term and could give Alan King something to smile about in the opening G1 Triumph Hurdle. The selection is one of three for the Barbury Castle handler but gets on well with Daryl Jacob and his slick hurdling technique should prove even better on good, spring ground. Connections were devastated that Ivanovich Gorbatov was beaten in G1 company last time out at Leopardstown but the O'Brien family are adamant he is much better than that and he should go close under Barry Geraghty.
In the County Hurdle my original fancy Desoto County hasn’t made the cut but the novice Wait for Me (2.10) has and he gets the each way vote for Philip Hobbs. The selection finished third in the Champion Bumper 12 months ago (Yanworth a neck behind in fourth) and whilst he could not be considered a natural over timber he has been extensively schooled in recent weeks and at 12/1 each way five places at BetVictor I will be disappointed if he doesn’t go very close. Similar comments apply to John Constable, a full-brother to Ascot Gold Cup and St Leger winner Leading Light, and a revelation since joining the Evan Williams' yard. The selection missed the Betfair Hurdle to run on this afternoon's better ground and will love the likely hell-for-leather pace of this afternoon's conditions.
Shantou Village (2.50) wasn’t seen at his best on soft ground here on Trials Day back in January but is taken to make the frame in the Albert Bartlett for Neil Mulholland. Today’s better ground will suit as will this step up to 3m for the first time under rules. He is 4/1 at BetVictor behind Barters Hill, who suffered an injury scare midweek, and is as game as a pebble but will his jumping hold up? Up For Review is surely better than he showed at Doncaster last time and can run well at a big price.
The Foxhunters’ is all about dual Olympian Victoria Pendleton and let’s hope she gets around in one piece; at the time of writing she is 6/4 at BetVictor to complete the course and let’s hope she comes home safe and sound. I hope to see Paint The Clouds (4.10) reverse last year’s form with On The Fringe on today’s better ground and at 6/1 is another each way recommendation.
In the Martin Pipe expect to see a big run from Squouateur (4.50) for Gordon Elliot with the excellent conditional Jack Kennedy in the plate; this has long been his Festival target and, in the colours of JP McManus, it would be no surprise to see this one carry market support. Stablemate Jettsteam Jack should similarly go close for a stable that target the race on an annual basis.
In the last I have backed Rock The World (5.30) for Jessica Harrington; another laid out for the race and at 12/1 is another each way recommendation. Next Sensation must go close to defending his Grand Annual Title under the excellent Tom Scudamore and would be another of similar interest at a double figure price now returning to a sounder surface.
Cheltenham Gold Cup Day
1.30 Sceau Royal/Ivanovich Gorbatov
2.10 Wait for Me/John Constable
2.50 Shantou Village/Barters Hill
3.30 Don Poli/Cue Card
4.10 Paint the Clouds/On The Fringe
4.50 Squouateur/Jetstream Jack
5.30 Rock the World/Next Sensation
EW Lucky 15
Sceau Royal
Don Poli
Paint the Clouds
Shantou Village
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