Racecards
15:30 Cheltenham
Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (grade 1) (Class 1)
- 12 Runners
- Distance: 3m 2f 110y
- Going: Good to Soft
- Surface: Turf
- £450,000 added
- Form 311/211
- Age 10
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 161
- Trainer N Meade
- Jockey Paul Carberry
chased leaders early, in touch when hit 9th, ridden after 16th, weakening when mistake 4 out, tailed off
Azulejo (FR)
46- Form 415/2P7
- Age 10
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 130
- Trainer M Scudamore
- Jockey T Scudamore
tailed off 8th, pulled up before 13th
- Form 37U1/P3
- Age 10
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 158
- Trainer D Pipe
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 18th
- Form P0459-0
- Age 10
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 144
- Trainer Paul Murphy
- Jockey T J Dreaper
soon behind, tailed off 8th, pulled up before 15th
- Form 111-111
- Age 8
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 176
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey S Thomas
tracked leader, led 12th, hit 4 out, soon forged clear, stayed on well, ridden out
- Form 121-323
- Age 8
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 177
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey A P McCoy
mid-division, hit 9th, went 4th 18th, ridden and held when blundered 3 out, weakened next
- Form 01P861/
- Age 12
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 131
- Trainer R Chotard
- Jockey A Lecordier
always behind, tailed off 11th, pulled up before 14th
- Form 113P-32
- Age 8
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 165
- Trainer A King
- Jockey R Thornton
chased leaders, struggling 14th, soon lost place, stayed on again from 2 out
- Form 416F5P
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 146
- Trainer P & M Bowen
- Jockey D F O'Regan
mid-division, hit 9th, struggling 14th, weakened 17th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
- Form 11-2111
- Age 8
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 180
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
tracked leaders, not fluent 11th, 3rd when hit 13th, hit 4 out, soon ridden, went 2nd approaching 2 out, held when hit last, just held on for 2nd
- Form U-135P1
- Age 10
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 156
- Trainer N & W Twiston-Davies
- Jockey P J Brennan
mid-division, hit 4th and next, mistake 9th and 13th, struggling next, weakened 4 out
- Form 6F81-31
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 172
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey M A Fitzgerald
jumped slightly right, led until 12th, chased winner, hit 4 out, soon ridden, lost 2nd and hit 2 out, stayed on again final 100 yards, just failed to regain 2nd
- Form 7-16447
- Age 10
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 155
- Trainer N & W Twiston-Davies
- Jockey Doubtful
Nonrunner
- Form 54-1436
- Age 8
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 166
- Trainer Miss H C Knight
- Jockey Paul Moloney
Nonrunner
- Form 111/11-3
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 158
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey B J Geraghty
Nonrunner
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
The pinnacle of the National Hunt season and a race that has aroused much debate over the last number of months. It promises to be a fascinating renewal and race tactics are sure to play a huge part in the outcome. Kauto Star completed his preparation in imperious style at Ascot over a distance that would now be considered short of his best. The improvement in his jumping has been phenomenal and his performance in the King George will live long in the memory, his rider looking around for dangers a whole three fences from home. His tactical speed mid race and his acceleration in the closing stages stands him apart from the remainder and for that reason he is our selection to land back to back Gold Cups. Denman is the obvious danger. Another whose performances have been breathtaking this year, his season commenced with a superb weight carrying display in the Hennessy while a victory in the Lexus Chase illustrated he was the biggest danger to his stable mate, disposing of rivals in effortless fashion and who have since boosted the form. This will be his sternest test to date and the main focus will be on whether his rider can get his main rival off the bridle before stamina comes into the equation. Last year's runner up Exotic Dancer has had a haphazard preparation but if returning to form would deserve upmost respect. His second to Kauto Star in the Betfair Chase signalled that he could still be improving but a change of tactics in the King George failed to work the oracle. Neptune Collonges put up a decent performance last time at Wincanton and failed to receive the recognition he deserved for a third placing in the Letherby and Christopher Chase in January. He travelled extremely well in that contest before a mistake three out halted his bid. Connections have continually reiterated that he is best suited on a flat, right handed track and Punchestown is likely to be the ultimate target but he is talented and is likely to give each-way supporters a good run. Halcon Genelardais will be suited by 'give' in the ground and is also seen at his best when fresh. It would be a big surprise to see him involved at the business end though while Afistfullofdollars bids to justify connections decision to supplement him. He has always been a horse of real potential but injury has prevented him from fulfilling that promise. Inexperience is also a worry with only four runs in total and three of those this season. It should be a race to live long in the memory and Kauto Star is the selection as he continues his way into the history books.
Formwatch
Afistfullofdollars (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Prominent, disputed lead from 13th, led 5 out, bad mistake 3 out, kept on well from next, easily, won at Fairyhouse 3m 1f chs Grd 2 gs in Feb beating Hedgehunter (11-3) by 6l, 8 ran.
Azulejo (FR) 50-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders until ridden and weakened 4 out, 7th of 10, 29l behind Cottingham (11-2) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Jan.
Celestial Gold (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Held up 4th, went 3rd 7th, ridden and beaten from 14th, went 3rd last, 3rd of 4, 29l behind Denman (11-10) at Newbury 3m chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Feb.
Contraband 250-1 (11-10) Tailed off from 4th, 13th of 15, well behind Katchit (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) gs.
Denman (IRE) 1-4fav (11-10) Tracked leader, led 3rd until 10th, tracked leader, led and hit 14th, drew clear from next, won at Newbury 3m chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Feb beating Regal Heights (11-4) by 20l, 4 ran.
Exotic Dancer (FR) 9-2 (11-10) Tracked leaders, hit 8th, led 11th until next, held by winner from next, lost 2nd run-in, 3rd of 7, 12l behind Kauto Star (11-10) at Kempton 3m chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Dec.
Fustrien Du Paon (FR) (10-6) won at Auteuil 2m 1f clm chs sft in Apr '06 beating Green Turf (11-0) by 5l, 15 ran.
Halcon Genelardais (FR) 17-2 (11-12) Soon tracking leaders, led 5 out, 2 lengths clear when hit last, hard ridden and headed last strides, 2nd of 18, hd behind Miko de Beauchene (10-5) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Dec.
Iron Man (FR) 66-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, lost place 15th, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Gungadu (11-12) at Kempton 3m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Feb, 15 ran.
Kauto Star (FR) 4-11fav (11-7) Held up in touch, led 3 out, shaken up and soon clear, easily, won at Ascot 2m 5f chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Feb beating Monet's Garden (11-7) by 8l, 9 ran.
Knowhere (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Held up in last pair, closing when hit 4 out, went 3rd next, soon ridden, led soon after last, stayed on well, ridden out, won at Cheltenham 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Jan beating Our Vic (11-10) by 6l, 8 ran.
Neptune Collonges (FR) 5-4fav (11-7) Prominent, led 13th, clear 17th, mistake 3 out, unchallenged, won at Wincanton 3m 1f lst hcp chs (1) gs in Feb beating Naunton Brook (10-1) by 13l, 6 ran.
Ollie Magern 50-1 (11-9) Led, mistake 5th, ridden after 4 out, headed 2 out, weakened approaching last, 7th of 14, 33l behind An Accordion (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs.
Racing Demon (IRE) 15-2 (11-7) Held up in touch, under pressure 4 out, stayed on from last, never able to challenge, 3rd of 9, 8l behind Kauto Star (11-7) at Ascot 2m 5f chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Feb.
Star De Mohaison (FR) 10-11fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader 2 out, soon hung left, weakened last, 3rd of 9, 20l behind Hills Of Aran (10-9) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gs in Jan.