The Paddy Power Gold Cup boasts a 15-runner field for its 2025 renewal. Jagwar won at the Cheltenham Festival, but takes on last year’s Paddy Power winner Il Ridoto in an intriguing running of the historic handicap. We look at the full racecard in more detail, the key trends towards finding a winner, and give our verdict on who will win the race below.
2025 Paddy Power Gold Cup Racecard
The headline act is the JP McManus-owned Jagwar, a six-year-old who won the Plate at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival in fine style. He improved dramatically for fences last season, but has to shoulder top-weight here against plenty of experienced rivals. One of those is last year’s winner Il Ridoto, who is only 2lb higher than when swanning to victory 12 months ago, while Thecompanysergeant was second to Jagwar at the Festival and will be looking to turn the tables. Other big names include Vincenzo, second in a big handicap at Newbury last season, the mare Panic Attack, who won well at Windsor last year for Dan Skelton, and the four-timer seeking Coming Up Easy, who is one of five raiders for Ireland.
14:20 Cheltenham
SoftPaddy Power Gold Cup Handicap Chase (In Memory Of Edward O’Grady) (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)
- 2m 4f 44y
- Class 1
- 12 runners
- Win time: 5m 14s
6/1 (Won)
- Win: £7.00
- Place: £1.80
100/30F
- Place: £2.10
9/1
- Place: £3.00
14/1
18/1
13/2
22/1
8/1
12/1
14/1
13/2
16/1
Non-runners
Jagwar, Riskintheground, Issar dAiry
+o+e Betting Returns
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £30.50 |
| Straight Forecast | £27.96 |
| Tricast | £185.37 |
| Trifecta | £322.50 |
Selections
Paddy Power Gold Cup Trends
- 9 of the last 10 winners have been aged 7, 8 or 9
- Only one favourite has won in the past ten renewals – Stage Star in 2023
- No Irish trainer has won this since 2009
- No top-weight has won this since 1994
Paddy Power Gold Cup Tips
Hoe Joly Smoke and Theatre Native are interesting alternatives at lengthier odds, but IL RIDOTO looks primed to land back-to-back renewals of the Paddy Power Gold Cup. He has warmed up in very similar fashion to 12 months ago, is only 1lb higher in the handicap, and is Paul Nicholls’ only runner as he seeks a hat-trick in the race. Top-weight Jagwar might well need this after a break for all he is a progressive type.
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