There is £160,000 on offer for the first real big race of the National Hunt season, the Paddy Power Gold Cup over 2m4f this fine Saturday afternoon. We take a look at some key contenders, and one or two darker candidates. There are also some cracking supporting races.
Paddy Power Gold Cup – Likely Winners
This race is increasingly become all about potential and quality – and if there are two horses which fit the bill in that regard they are CHAMPION COURT and Rajdhani Express.
Champion Court ran an absolute cracker in the King George but didn’t last home on very testing ground. The race took a lot out of him, but he managed to win a good handicap at Cheltenham in April, posting a fast time in the process. He has a definite touch of class and plenty of the attributes required to run a huge race from a mark of 157. Indeed, his trainer Martin Keighley is of the opinion he is well-treated from that handicap mark. 13/2 with Paddy
Rajdhani Express progressed very well last season, topped by a win in the novices’ handicap chase on Tuesday of the festival. His key skill is his jumping and he possesses the scope to reach the top too. Nicky Henderson runs to Finian’s Rainbow also, which keeps the weight down and from 155, Rajdhani Express is capable of running a massive race and perhaps cementing himself as a Ryanair Chase candidate for March. 10/1 with Paddy
Paddy Power Gold Cup – Dark Horses
**Kumbeshwar, hasn’t won since November 2012 but he often is capable of running a big race at this time of year. He ran with credit in the Haldon Gold Cup last week and the handicapper has relented again, dropping him to 148. Up in trip now, he could sneak into contender provided his jumping holds up. He is 33/1 with the sponsor!!
The other dark horse is Paul Nicholls’ trainer Woolcombe Folly at 25/1. He isn’t handicapped to win a Paddy Power Gold Cup and it would be an underwhelming renewal if he did win, but he has plenty of top form in the book and if it wasn’t for a last fence blunder last time out, he’d have pushed John’s Spirit right to the line here, and that horse is 13/2 joint favourite. With Harry Derham taking his handy claim, he could run a big race.
Paddy Power Gold Cup – The Stat Pick!!
Here are some of the strongest stats for the 2m5f Handicap Chase…
1 – 15/15 had previously won at class 2 level or better
2 – 14/15 were aged between 6 & 9
3 – 14/15 had 2 or more previous chase victories
4 – 14/15 had previously won over 20 or 21 furlongs
5 – 13/15 had finished in the top 2 on 1 of their last 3 starts
6 – 13/15 had an OR of between 136 & 150
With the above in mind ASTRACAD makes appeal as an outside bet on a horse who tickets plenty of stat boxes.
Earlier in the day, Royal Irish Hussar is taken to take all the beating in the Triumph Hurdle Trial. Later, African Gold makes his eagerly awaited chasing debut and he can take this on route to bigger targets in the spring. The Grade 3 handicap chase preceding the big one could go the way of Nigel Twiston-Davies and Tour Des Champs, who looks to be on the upgrade.
It promises to be an awesome day of action from Prestbury Park. If you’re not already registered with Paddy, Sign Up To Paddy Power Today and get £250 in Free Bets!!
Paddy is paying 5 PLACES ON THE GOLD CUP!!