Finally, it’s the race we’ve been anticipating all Winter –
the Cheltenham Gold Cup. I thought you’d like to know who is going to win…
Bobsworth - They say that previous form at the
Festival is a serious plus to any horse’s chances, so this convincing winner of
the RSA Novices Chase must run well. He won the Hennessy first time up and it
is impossible to imagine him finishing out of the first three.
Cape Tribulation – Another one that won at the
Festival last year, Denis O’Regan’s mount beat the 2010 Gold Cup winner
Imperial Commander here at Cheltenham in January. A really exiting horse who
looks primed for a top-three finish.
Captain Chris – Came within inches of lifting the
King George VI Chase at Kempton in December, only to be denied in the last
stride by Long Run. He has won at the Festival before and has always looked
like a Gold Cup horse. Has to be placed.
Long Run – The Gold Cup winner of 2011 has also won
two King George VI Chases. His amateur jockey has already scored once at this
year’s Festival and is riding on a high. Representing the in-form yard of Nicky
Henderson, a top-three finish is assured.
Monbeg Dude – Crikey, did you see the way he won the
Welsh National? An impressive winner over a similar distance at Cheltenham in
November, I’m really excited about watching Paul Carberry ride this one. A
great chance of reaching the places.
Silviniaco Conti – He’s unbeaten in three runs this
season, in which time he has thrashed The Giant Bolster, Long Run and Wayward
Prince. The mount of Ruby Walsh, who tops the Festival leader-board this year,
he has to be in the first three.
Sir Des Champs – Oh… another Festival winner. In fact
the great hope of Ireland has won at the Festival in each of the last two
years. He’s been prepared all season for this and looks nailed on to finish in
the first three.
Sunnyhillboy – A winner at the Festival last year…
What? Hold on – that’s right, another Festival winner! Trained by last year’s
winning trainer Jonjo O’Neill and ridden by the Champion Jockey Tony McCoy.
Looks assured to pay out each-way.
The Giant Bolster – I love this horse. He almost
produced the shock of the decade when finishing second in this race last year,
but has since proved that it was no fluke. David Bridgewater, his trainer, is
very bullish that he’ll be in the top three again.
Wayward Prince – A really promising novice two years
ago, he’s hit form again this season – bustling up Silviniaco Conti at Wetherby
before striking in a class one chase at Aintree. It’s not inconceivable that
he’ll be in the places at a big price.
In summary then, I expect Silviniaco Conti to
win by a nose, with the rest dead-heating for second place.
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