Paddy Power Gold Cup Handicap Chase 2m 4f
Runner by runner guide
The Real Whacker
A revelation switching to fences last season, The Real Whacker defeated subsequent dual Grade 1 winner Gerri Colombe in the Brown Advisory Novices Chase. His exquisite jumping from the front will be a real asset here. The step back in trip should suit but the big question mark is the weight on his back. Carrying 12 stone in a race off this nature will be extremely difficult. Top weights don’t have a great record and you have to go back to 2016 to find a horse who carried more than 11 stone 5 to victory (Taquin Du Seuil 11 stone 11).
Stage Star
Triumphant over course and distance twice last season, most noticeably in the Turners Novices Chase, Stage Star returns with excellent claims. Officially rated 155, the presence of The Real Whacker is a huge help as he doesn’t have to shoulder top weight. Arguably seen to best effect when dictating from the front, he will face competition for the lead here and that would be my main concern.
Fugitif
Last season’s Magners Plate Handicap Chase runner up boasts excellent course form figures of 222. He returns here having disappointed in Grade 1 company at the Aintree Festival. I suspect he will need to find improvement to win this and I’m not sure he has much wiggle room off a career high mark of 153.
Authorized Art
Sole representative from the Willie Mullins team who was fourth in the Kerry National last time out. Previously finished second in the Galway Plate and that form looks strong having conceded 15lbs to the now 159 rated Ash Tree Meadow. I think the step back in trip will suit and Danny Mullins comes over for the ride. He’s 2lb higher than his Irish mark and not as progressive as a few in here, but his form stacks up and he’s a lively player at a big price.
Notlongtillmay
Runner up in last season’s Turners Novices Chase, beaten three and a quarter lengths by the reopposing Stage Star. Notlongtillmay reappeared at the track with a good fourth in a competitive handicap chase over an inadequate 2 miles. He carried top weight that day and to my eye looked that looked a clear pipe opener for this. He has a 3lb pull at the weights with Stage Star and his prominent style of racing should suit. There are very few negatives, bar his slightly skinny price.
Final Orders
Last season’s Grand Annual form is represented by the fifth, Final Orders. Dinoblue has franked that form and Final Orders was a good winner of a Bellewstown Handicap Hurdle in August. I thought he was a little disappointing at Chepstow last time out and the handicapper would appear to have a good grip on him. Danny Gilligan takes off a handy 5lbs but I think he needs to find some improvement to be involved here.
Unexpected Party
Second season novice who comes into this on the back of a fine seasonal reappearance, defeating subsequent “Rising Stars” winner Knappers Hill, off level weights at Chepstow. A 4lb rise for that win looks fairly lenient now but he must reverse the Turners form with both Notlongtillmay and Stage Star. He has a hefty pull at the weights with those two rivals, but I do think he will need to improve again to reach them. With race fitness on his side, he has strong claims, I just have a slight question mark over his stamina at this trip at a track like Cheltenham.
Il Ridoto
A main stay in these Cheltenham handicap chases, Il Ridoto boasts a solid record over course and distance. A winner of a similar contest in January, he ran well off a 8lb higher mark to finish 6th in the Plate at the Festival. He returns here off 2lb lower and jockey Freddie Gingell takes a further 5lb off, effectively bringing him back down to a pound above his last winning mark. He may be ready to rumble, but in his short career to date, he gives be the impression that he may improve with a bit of racing.
Whistleinthedark
Luca Morgan’s second runner, Whistleinthedark, comes into this as an unbeaten chaser looking to secure a five-timer. The strength of his from can be questioned but there is no doubt he has progressed plenty since switching to the larger obstacles. In 12 lifetime starts to date he has only failed to finish in the first three once, but this is by far his biggest test to date. He’s a lively outsider but he may find a handful of these have too much class for him.
Angels Breath
Former Henderson inmate who has found his form again with new trainer Sam Thomas. Reappeared over hurdles at the October meeting with an excellent second. Switches to fences off a 6lb higher mark, but as his ratings suggest, he’s a better chaser. Sam Twiston-Davies keeps the ride, but I would have just a very small concern about his lack of chasing experience in big fields. Four starts over fences have come in fields of 4, 2, 6 and 5. He handled a big field over hurdles last time out but as a fragile horse I would wonder whether the hustle and bustle of a handicap chase will be to his liking over fences.
Black Gerry
The outsider of the field comes into this seeking a hattrick. Black Gerry represents team Moore and finished last season in fine form, with wins at Plumpton and Ascot. He has some nice pieces of form to his name, but I wouldn’t say he’s particularly well handicapped off a career high mark of 142.
Easy As That
The inform Venetia Williams team are represented by 8-year-old Easy As That. With 10 winners from their last 22 runners, the yard couldn’t be in better form. We last saw Easy As That at Sandown in March where he disappointed, finishing last having been sent off the 6/4 favourite. I would question the strength of his form and no previous Cheltenham experience would be a niggling concern.
Torn And Frayed
Course and distance winner, Torn And Frayed, represents the inform Nigel Twiston-Davies yard. Tom Bellamy is in the saddle and that may be a sign, given Sam Twiston-Davies has opted to ride Angels Breath. Nevertheless, he has good claims on his January win, but he hasn’t been seen since and subsequently has a lengthy absence to overcome. He’s one I think may run well without winning and could be a serious contender for the Gold Cup at the December meeting.
Harper’s Brook
Ben Pauling loves to have runners at Cheltenham, and he has had plenty of success over the years. Harper’s Brook is the bottom weight here and has some nice pieces of form to his name. His Cheltenham form would be a major concern for me having run at the track three times before and recorded form figures of F5PU, with the fifth placed finish being the last out of five runners. He will need to improve plenty to be involved in the finish here.
The Verdict
1st – Notlongtillmay 7/1
2nd – Authorized Art 25/1
3rd – The Real Whacker 15/2
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