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2024-11-16 Cheltenham 14:20
Cheltenham

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

Going: Good

Distance: 2m4f44y

Prize: £84,405

Runners: 15

Surface: Turf

Age: 4yo+

Class: Class 1

Type: Chase

NO.

HORSE

FORM

AGE

ODDS

Il Ridoto tp w2 (FR) G C D

J: Freddie Gingell(3) T: Paul Nicholls

Form: 308P-5

Age: 7

WT: 10st 2lbs

OR: 141

1.03

Additional info

Owner: Giles, Hogarth, Mason, McGoff & Ferguson

Breeder: Noel Lemaire

Last run: 35 days

Pedigree

Sire: Kapgarde (FR)

Dam: L'Exploratrice (FR)

Damsire: Trempolino (USA)

Trainer last 14 days

Runs: 35 Wins: 10 Percent: 29

Comment: Successful in similar event here two seasons ago and his other Cheltenham form includes creditable efforts in this race for the last two years (finished fourth in 2022, third in 2023); should be fully ripe with Chepstow reappearance (behind Ga Law) under his belt and he helps to give Paul Nicholls a strong hand.

Lets Go Champ (IRE) G D

J: Mike O'Connor(3) T: Henry De Bromhead

Form: 323-16

Age: 9

WT: 10st 2lbs

OR: 141

3.85

Additional info

Owner: R S Brookhouse

Breeder: Eddie O'Donoghue

Last run: 108 days

Pedigree

Sire: Jeremy (USA)

Dam: Dark Mimosa (IRE)

Damsire: Bahri (USA)

Trainer last 14 days

Runs: 22 Wins: 9 Percent: 41

Comment: Lightly raced Irish 9yo who is steadily improving and has a solid record; respectable form in Grade 3 handicaps the last twice, winning at the Punchestown festival (2m4f, good to yielding) then sixth in the Galway Plate (2m6f); likely to perform well on return from another layoff.

Ga Law p (FR) G CD

J: Gavin Sheehan T: Jamie Snowden

Form: 71P2-2

Age: 8

WT: 11st 2lbs

OR: 155

9.8

Additional info

Owner: The Footie Partnership

Breeder: Jean-Francois Magnien

Last run: 35 days

Pedigree

Sire: Sinndar (IRE)

Dam: Law (FR)

Damsire: Lute Antique (FR)

Trainer last 14 days

Runs: 12 Wins: 4 Percent: 33

Comment: Ended last season with a creditable second in Sandown Grade 2 and filled the same position in Chepstow handicap on reappearance, which sets him up nicely for this return to Cheltenham; 2-2 in handicaps at this venue, including a win in this contest two years ago (on good ground); solid contender who is one for the shortlist.

Fugitif t w1 (FR) G C D

J: Sean Bowen T: Richard Hobson

Form: 413PP-

Age: 9

WT: 10st 13lbs

OR: 152

11.49

Additional info

Owner: Carl Hinchy & Dr Emad Hussain

Breeder: Andre Rousseau

Last run: 217 days

Pedigree

Sire: Ballingarry (IRE)

Dam: Turiane (FR)

Damsire: Arvico (FR)

Trainer last 14 days

Runs: 2 Wins: 0 Percent: 0

Comment: Ran well in sole good-ground attempt; largely respectable record at Cheltenham features a success (off 1lb lower) in major 2m4f handicap last December when the cards dropped perfectly; finished fourth in this race 12 months ago and again has frame possibilities, having had wind surgery since last run.

Janidil tb1 (FR) G BF D

J: Brian Hayes T: W P Mullins

Form: 30P-F3

Age: 10

WT: 11st 0lbs

OR: 153

14.01

Additional info

Owner: John P McManus

Breeder: Hubert Langot & Michel Langot

Last run: 104 days

Pedigree

Sire: Indian Daffodil (IRE)

Dam: Janidouce (FR)

Damsire: Kaldounevees (FR)

Trainer last 14 days

Runs: 17 Wins: 6 Percent: 35

Comment: Has a poor strike-rate since winning a Grade 1 novice chase in April 2021 and current mark reflects a decline in his form; absent since disappointing in a Galway festival race that looked a good opportunity for him (was best in at the weights); new headgear needs to make a difference.

Protektorat t (FR) G CD

J: Harry Skelton T: Dan Skelton

Form: 32313-

Age: 9

WT: 12st 0lbs

OR: 167

16.5

Additional info

Owner: Sir A Ferguson G Mason J Hales & L Hales

Breeder: Guy Cherel & Mme Isabelle Pacault

Last run: 218 days

Pedigree

Sire: Saint Des Saints (FR)

Dam: Protektion (FR)

Damsire: Protektor (GER)

Trainer last 14 days

Runs: 49 Wins: 9 Percent: 18

Comment: Close second on good ground in this race three years ago (raced mainly on softer otherwise); has earned this 13lb higher mark, having shown a very high level of form since, including when winning last season's Ryanair; however, it's 30 years since the last topweight landed this prize.

Imagine (FR) G

J: Paul O'Brien T: Harry Derham

Form: 3/114-

Age: 6

WT: 10st 6lbs

OR: 145

27.03

Additional info

Owner: Barratt Racing

Breeder: Xavier Leredde & Daniel Desforges

Last run: 307 days

Pedigree

Sire: Montmartre (FR)

Dam: Ofurie (FR)

Damsire: Robin Des Champs (FR)

Trainer last 14 days

Runs: 17 Wins: 2 Percent: 12

Comment: Steadily progressive for Gordon Elliott until a disappointing effort on last appearance; subsequently bought for 320,000euros at the Caldwell dispersal sale in February; ran well over hurdles at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival (2m4f) and he is 2-3 over fences, with possibly still more to offer (should rebound); overall form stacks up well; very interesting on debut for Harry Derham who has an excellent record with recruits from other stables, particularly at the first attempt and when fresh.

Weveallbeencaught p (IRE) G C D

J: Jack Tudor T: Christian Williams

Form: 660-32

Age: 7

WT: 10st 2lbs

OR: 141

30.03

Additional info

Owner: Jimmy & Susie Wenman, Edward & Jane James

Breeder: Conor Murphy

Last run: 21 days

Pedigree

Sire: Getaway (GER)

Dam: Curvacious (IRE)

Damsire: Anshan (GB)

Trainer last 14 days

Runs: 14 Wins: 2 Percent: 14

Comment: Point/bumper/hurdle winner who is still looking for the full set (0-7 over rules fences); however, went close in first-time cheekpieces over C&D (good) last month on second run for new yard and remains unexposed at 2m4f; 10lb out of weights but could go well in the retained headgear.

Madara (FR) G C D

J: Tristan Durrell(3) T: Dan Skelton

Form: 6119-8

Age: 5

WT: 10st 2lbs

OR: 141

32.05

Additional info

Owner: Bryan Drew and Friends

Breeder: Sas Ecurie De Cachene & Elise Drouet

Last run: 14 days

Pedigree

Sire: Doctor Dino (FR)

Dam: Becquascenthe (FR)

Damsire: Nombre Premier (GB)

Trainer last 14 days

Runs: 49 Wins: 9 Percent: 18

Comment: Campaigned at about 2m in Britain; registered two notable wins on soft ground last winter for Sophie Leech but has proved disappointing in two subsequent runs, latest for Keiran Burke; enough to prove back up in distance on debut for Dan Skelton.

In Excelsis Deo p (FR) G C D

J: Bryan Carver T: Harry Fry

Form: 2U51-P

Age: 6

WT: 10st 4lbs

OR: 143

32.05

Additional info

Owner: John P McManus

Breeder: Oliver De La Garoullaye

Last run: 108 days

Pedigree

Sire: Saddex (GB)

Dam: Gratia Plena (FR)

Damsire: Solid Illusion (USA)

Trainer last 14 days

Runs: 8 Wins: 2 Percent: 25

Comment: Let down by his jumping in the Galway Plate when last seen; steadily progressive otherwise and produced two useful pieces of 2m4f form at Cheltenham (soft/good) in the spring, finishing fifth in the Plate then winning a Grade 2 handicap; possibilities back here, granted no errors.

Straw Fan Jack p (GB) G C D

J: Sean Houlihan T: Sheila Lewis

Form: 23036-

Age: 9

WT: 10st 2lbs

OR: 141

84.75

Additional info

Owner: Graham Wilson

Breeder: Whitegate Stud

Last run: 203 days

Pedigree

Sire: Geordieland (FR)

Dam: Callerlilly (GB)

Damsire: Double Trigger (IRE)

Trainer last 14 days

Runs: 3 Wins: 0 Percent: 0

Comment: Scored over 2m here in October 2022; respectable third over 2m4f at this year's Cheltenham Festival but is far from solid on 2023-24 form otherwise and hindered by being 6lb out of the handicap in this field.

Editeur Du Gite (FR) G C

J: Niall Houlihan T: Gary & Josh Moore

Form: 15P-P9

Age: 10

WT: 11st 1lbs

OR: 154

109.89

Additional info

Owner: The Preston Family, Friends & T Jacobs

Breeder: Daniel Gerault

Last run: 35 days

Pedigree

Sire: Saddex (GB)

Dam: Malaga De St Sulpice (FR)

Damsire: Saint Cyrien (FR)

Trainer last 14 days

Runs: 37 Wins: 6 Percent: 16

Comment: Good 2m chaser who bagged Grade 1 honours here two seasons ago and defied a 5lb higher mark at Kempton last Christmas; however, holds poor claims on 2024 form and still has something to prove at 2m4f.

Jetoile t (IRE) G D

J: Dylan Johnston(3) T: Ryan Potter

Form: 14P-40

Age: 9

WT: 10st 6lbs

OR: 145

109.89

Additional info

Owner: Ms J Bennett

Breeder: Patricia Prenderville

Last run: 35 days

Pedigree

Sire: Jeremy (USA)

Dam: Accordingtoherself (IRE)

Damsire: Accordion (IRE)

Trainer last 14 days

Runs: 9 Wins: 0 Percent: 0

Comment: Made the frame in similar event here in January, on the back of his Old Roan win; has developed cracks in his record since and ran dismally at Chepstow most recently (unbeaten there previously); others preferred.

Ginny's Destiny (IRE) G CD

J: Harry Cobden T: Paul Nicholls

Form: 11122-

Age: 8

WT: 11st 2lbs

OR: 155

120.48

Additional info

Owner: Gordon & Su Hall

Breeder: Mrs Caroline O'Driscoll

Last run: 219 days

Pedigree

Sire: Yeats (IRE)

Dam: Dantes Term (IRE)

Damsire: Phardante (FR)

Trainer last 14 days

Runs: 35 Wins: 10 Percent: 29

Comment: Bumper winner on good ground; developed into a smart front-running novice chaser, predominantly at this course, last season and a good effort in the Turners took his Cheltenham form figures to 71112; similar type to last year's winner Stage Star (for same yard) and commands major respect back here.

Hartur d'Arc (FR) G D

J: Jonathan Burke T: Gavin Cromwell

Form: 23110-

Age: 7

WT: 10st 2lbs

OR: 141

Additional info

Owner: Derek Kierans

Breeder: Nicole Terriere & Mahe Guiberteau

Last run: 229 days

Pedigree

Sire: Diamond Boy (FR)

Dam: Altesse D'Arc (FR)

Damsire: Policy Maker (IRE)

Trainer last 14 days

Runs: 32 Wins: 3 Percent: 9

Comment: Record of 2-3 since joining Gavin Cromwell, winning at Clonmel (2m4f, heavy) and Naas (3m1f Leinster National) then non-stayer in the Irish National; still not fully exposed over fences but the forecast conditions don't look ideal as he possibly needs a thorough test at this trip nowadays.