2011 Cheltenham Gold Cup Form

Race OverviewAn utterly absorbing contest even though there are very good reasons for wanting to oppose each and every runner. The suggestion for those requiring financial interest is last year's winner IMPERIAL COMMANDER who has far too many off days for comfort but boasts such an imposing record over fences on this track, isn't ground dependent and goes so well fresh. Denman has a good chance on the figures, given his mighty Hennessy effort, and makes most appeal of the Ditcheat brigade, while Kempes is on an upward curve and has each-way claims and fellow Irish raider Pandorama will come into his own if the ground has softened significantly by post time. Long Run could obviously be a cut above them all if the longer trip and a return to Cheltenham don't conspire against him.[Paul Johnson]

Odds provided by Paddypower

No.		Runner	Details	Rating
2		Carruthers M Batchelor M Bradstock	8 yrs / 164 lbs 42-664	146

CommentCarruthers

Just lost third last year; nothing to suggest he can do better

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
19/02/11	HAY 28HyCl1 G3ChHc,44K	160 lbs	Matt O'Connor	4/14 22 1/2l, Silver By Nature[7/2F]11-12
27/11/10	NBY 26GSCl1 G3ChHc,100K	140 lbs	Mattie Batchelor	6/18 19 3/4l, Diamond Harry[14/1]10-0
30/10/10	ASC 24GdCl1 LisChHc,56K	166 lbs	Mattie Batchelor	6/13 23 1/4l, Massini's Maguire[7/1]11-3
08/04/10	Ain 25GdCl1 G1Ch,87K	161 lbs	Mattie Batchelor	2/5 3 1/4l, What A Friend[10/1]11-7
19/03/10	CHL 26GdCl1 G1Ch,271K	164 lbs	Mattie Batchelor	4/11 30 1/4l, Imperial Commander[33/1]11-10

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3

China Rock (IRE) B J Geraghty M Morris

8 yrs / 164 lbs 2-1134

159

CommentChina Rock

Can't beat Kauto Star or Kempes on this term's soft-ground runs

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
12/02/11	LEO 24HyG1Ch,89K	164 lbs	P Carberry	4/9 16l, Kempes[4/1]11-10
06/11/10	DRO 24SftG1Ch,74K	164 lbs	Barry Geraghty	3/7 4 1/4l, Kauto Star[5/1]11-10 tongue str
14/10/10	PUN 23GdG3Ch,18K	162 lbs	R Walsh	1/4 7l, Sizing Europe[6/4]11-10
02/10/10	GOW 20Y/SftG2Ch,23K	157 lbs	R Walsh	1/7 1 1/2l, Coolcashin[13/8F]11-6
20/04/10	PUN 25GdNvG1Ch,44K	164 lbs	N P Madden	2/8 3l, Kempes[5/1]11-10

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4

Denman (IRE) S Thomas P Nicholls

11 yrs / 164 lbs 1U24-3

179

CommentDenman

Hennessy third suggests still lots to offer; minor wind op since

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
27/11/10	NBY 26GSCl1 G3ChHc,100K	166 lbs	Sam Thomas	3/18 15 1/4l, Diamond Harry[4/1F]10-0
21/04/10	PUN 25GdG1Ch,119K	164 lbs	A P McCoy	4/11 6 1/4l, Planet Of Sound[11/8F]11-10 tongue str
19/03/10	CHL 26GdCl1 G1Ch,271K	164 lbs	A P McCoy	2/11 7l, Imperial Commander[4/1]11-10
13/02/10	NBY 24GSCl1 G2Ch,29K	160 lbs	A P McCoy	UR/6Tricky Trickster[1/6F]11-3
28/11/09	NBY 26GSCl1 G3ChHc,114K	166 lbs	R Walsh	1/19 3 1/2l, What A Friend[11/4F]10-4

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5

Imperial Commander (IRE) P Brennan N Twiston-Davies

10 yrs / 164 lbs 251U-1

185

CommentImperial Commander

Too good for Denman last year; powerful record over fences here

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
20/11/10	HAY 24GSCl1 G1Ch,113K	161 lbs	Paddy Brennan	1/7 1 1/4l, Tidal Bay[10/11F]11-7
08/04/10	Ain 25GdCl1 G1Ch,87K	161 lbs	Paddy Brennan	UR/5What A Friend[11/8F]11-7
19/03/10	CHL 26GdCl1 G1Ch,271K	164 lbs	Paddy Brennan	1/11 7l, Denman[7/1]11-10
26/12/09	KEM 24GSCl1 G1Ch,114K	164 lbs	Paddy Brennan	5/13 63 1/2l, Kauto Star[13/2]11-10 tongue str
21/11/09	HAY 24SftCl1 G1Ch,113K	161 lbs	Paddy Brennan	2/7 nse, Kauto Star[9/1]11-7 tongue str

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6

Kauto Star (FR) R Walsh P Nicholls

11 yrs / 164 lbs 11F-13

174

CommentKauto Star

Won in 2007/2009 but coming back for third may be beyond him

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
15/01/11	KEM 24GSCl1 G1Ch,103K	164 lbs	A P McCoy	3/9 19l, Long Run[4/7F]11-10
06/11/10	DRO 24SftG1Ch,74K	164 lbs	R Walsh	1/7 4l, Sizing Europe[4/7F]11-10
19/03/10	CHL 26GdCl1 G1Ch,271K	164 lbs	R Walsh	F/11Imperial Commander[8/11F]11-10
26/12/09	KEM 24GSCl1 G1Ch,114K	164 lbs	R Walsh	1/13 36l, Madison Du Berlais[8/13F]11-10 cheekpiece
21/11/09	HAY 24SftCl1 G1Ch,113K	161 lbs	R Walsh	1/7 nse, Imperial Commander[4/6F]11-7

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7

Kempes (IRE) A P McCoy W Mullins

8 yrs / 164 lbs P1-3U1

162

CommentKempes

Progressive, handles most ground; e.w. chance if tongue-tie helps

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
12/02/11	LEO 24HyG1Ch,89K	164 lbs	D J Casey	1/9 4 1/2l, Glencove Marina[5/1]11-10
28/12/10	LEO 24HyG1Ch,82K	164 lbs	A P McCoy	UR/12Pandorama[9/1]11-10
15/12/10	FAI 17SftG2Ch,29K	166 lbs	D J Casey	3/8 5l, Golden Silver[16/1]11-12
20/04/10	PUN 25GdNvG1Ch,44K	164 lbs	A P McCoy	1/8 3l, China Rock[9/1]11-10
04/04/10	FAI 20HyG1Ch,58K	164 lbs	A P McCoy	PU/10Jadanli[6/1]11-10

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8

Long Run (FR) Mr S Waley-Cohen N Henderson

6 yrs / 164 lbs 113-31

179

CommentLong Run

Brilliant King George win but can he do it over extra 2f here?

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
15/01/11	KEM 24GSCl1 G1Ch,103K	164 lbs	Mr S Waley-Cohen	1/9 12l, Riverside Theatre[9/2]11-10
13/11/10	CHL 20GSCl1 G3ChHc,86K	155 lbs	Mr S Waley-Cohen	3/18 4 3/4l, Little Josh[2/1F]10-5
17/03/10	CHL 24GdCl1 G1Ch,86K	157 lbs	Mr S Waley-Cohen	3/9 7 1/4l, Weapon's Amnesty[11/4]11-4
13/02/10	WAR 16GSCl1 NvG2Ch,17K	159 lbs	Mr S Waley-Cohen	1/5 12l, Joe Jo Star[4/7F]11-0
26/12/09	KEM 24GSCl1 NvG1Ch,35K	154 lbs	Mr S Waley-Cohen	1/7 13l, Tazbar[11/8F]11-7

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9

Midnight Chase T Scudamore N Mulholland

9 yrs / 164 lbs -41111

163

CommentMidnight Chase

Game/progressive front-runner; in element here; has to improve

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
10/12/10	CHL 25GdCl1 LisChHc,23K	157 lbs	Dougie Costello	1/16 Nk, Presenting Forever[11/4F]10-0
13/11/10	CHL 27GSCl1 G3ChHc,29K	163 lbs	Dougie Costello	1/17 8l, Any Currency[8/1]10-9 cheekpiece
15/10/10	CHL 24GdCl2 ChHc,14K	154 lbs	Dougie Costello	1/10 10l, Lacdoudal[6/1]10-13
25/05/10	HEX 25GFCl4 NvCh,5K	166 lbs	Dougie Costello	1/4 12l, Political Pendant[8/11F]10-2 cheekpiece
01/05/10	UTT 24SftCl1 LisChHc,29K	153 lbs	Dougie Costello	4/12 12 1/4l, Auroras Encore[7/1]11-1

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10

Neptune Collonges (FR) R Thornton P Nicholls

10 yrs / 164 lbs 14/B01

168

CommentNeptune Collonges

Never in same league as Kauto or Denman; likely outgunned again

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
29/01/11	CHL 25GSCl1 G2Ch,51K	154 lbs	A P McCoy	1/5 1 1/4l, Tidal Bay[11/2]11-0
10/12/10	CHL 25GdCl1 LisChHc,23K	161 lbs	Mr R Mahon	11/16 34l, Midnight Chase[15/2]11-3
27/11/10	NBY 26GSCl1 G3ChHc,100K	148 lbs	A P McCoy	BD/18Diamond Harry[14/1]10-0
13/03/09	CHL 26GSCl1 G1Ch,271K	164 lbs	Christian Williams	4/16 21 1/2l, Kauto Star[15/2]11-10 tongue str
15/02/09	LEO 24SftG1Ch,117K	164 lbs	R Walsh	1/6 5l, Notre Pere[8/13F]11-10 cheekpiece

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11

Pandorama (IRE) P Carberry N Meade

8 yrs / 164 lbs 111-P1

166

CommentPandorama

Back on song with Grade 1 Dec win; needs forecast rain to come

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
28/12/10	LEO 24HyG1Ch,82K	164 lbs	P Carberry	1/12 6l, Money Trix[7/2J]11-10
27/11/10	NBY 26GSCl1 G3ChHc,100K	140 lbs	P Carberry	PU/18Diamond Harry[8/1]10-0
28/12/09	LEO 24YNvG1Ch,50K	164 lbs	D J Condon	1/9 Sht-hd, Weapon's Amnesty[11/8F]11-10
02/12/09	FAI 20HyNvG1Ch,54K	164 lbs	D J Condon	1/8 7l, Alpha Ridge[9/4F]11-10 tongue str
27/10/09	PUN 20Y/SftCh,9K	166 lbs	P Carberry	1/18 Hd, Clan Tara[2/5F]11-12 tongue str

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12

Tidal Bay (IRE) B Hughes J H Johnson

10 yrs / 164 lbs 74-322

166

CommentTidal Bay

Enigma; gets going all too late and not good enough anyway

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
29/01/11	CHL 25GSCl1 G2Ch,51K	154 lbs	Brian Hughes	2/5 1 1/4l, Neptune Collonges[5/2]11-0
20/11/10	HAY 24GSCl1 G1Ch,113K	161 lbs	Brian Hughes	2/7 1 1/4l, Imperial Commander[16/1]11-7
30/10/10	WET 25GdCl1 G2Hd,19K	162 lbs	Brian Hughes	3/8 9 1/4l, Fair Along[5/2]11-8 cheekpiece
08/04/10	Ain 24GdCl1 G1Hd,57K	161 lbs	Brian Hughes	4/7 5 1/2l, Big Buck's[15/2]11-7
18/03/10	CHL 24GdCl1 G1Hd,148K	164 lbs	Denis O'Regan	7/14 18 1/4l, Big Buck's[8/1]11-10

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13

Weird Al (IRE) J M Maguire I Williams

8 yrs / 164 lbs 111-18

152

CommentWeird Al

Lots to prove now after Hennessy flop but surely better than that

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
27/11/10	NBY 26GSCl1 G3ChHc,100K	140 lbs	Paddy Brennan	8/18 42 1/4l, Diamond Harry[6/1]10-0
31/10/10	CRL 20SftCl2 Ch,8K	164 lbs	Noel Fehily	1/5 [5/2]
06/02/10	WET 25SftCl1 NvG2Ch,18K	161 lbs	Paddy Brennan	1/4 2 1/2l, Knockara Beau[5/4J]11-7
11/12/09	CHL 21SftCl2 NvCh,13K	162 lbs	Noel Fehily	1/5 2l, Pigeon Island[11/4]11-0 blinkers
13/11/09	CHL 20GSCl2 NvCh,13K	156 lbs	Noel Fehily	1/6 Nk, Knockara Beau[12/1]11-10

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14

What A Friend D Jacob P Nicholls

8 yrs / 164 lbs 211-52

159

CommentWhat A Friend

Odds-on flop latest but better going and blinkers may help

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
18/02/11	NBY 24GSCl1 G2Ch,17K	164 lbs	Harry Skelton	2/5 Hd, Noland[4/5F]11-0 tongue str
20/11/10	HAY 24GSCl1 G1Ch,113K	161 lbs	Sam Thomas	5/7 14 1/4l, Imperial Commander[3/1]11-7
08/04/10	Ain 25GdCl1 G1Ch,87K	161 lbs	R Walsh	1/5 3 1/4l, Carruthers[5/2]11-7
29/12/09	LEO 24SftG1Ch,90K	164 lbs	Sam Thomas	1/11 1/2l, Money Trix[11/2]11-10
28/11/09	NBY 26GSCl1 G3ChHc,114K	144 lbs	Sam Thomas	2/19 3 1/2l, Denman[7/1]11-12

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1 Non Runners: Albertas Run

Kauto Star made his seasonal debut in November and he picked up a comfortable win in the JNWine Champion Chase at Down Royal, the two time Gold Cup winner defeated Sizing Europe with some ease although the Arkle winner did improve from his last run. Kauto however looked out of form when he could only finish third in the King George VI Chase at Kempton back in January, he was comfortably beaten by Long Run and there are one or two doubts about his form heading to the Gold cup.

Long Run was hugely impressive when winning the King George and the Nicky Henderson horse now looks a real threat up against his older rivals in the Gold Cup. There are one or two doubts about his ability to act at Cheltenham having disappointed in the RSA Chase last season and again when only third in the Paddy Power Gold Cup earlier this season. Even with that in mind there is no doubting the class of Long Run and at his age he can only improve which is reflected in his short price with the bookmakers for the Gold Cup.

The defending Champion Imperial Commander won well at Haydock in the Betfair Chase on his seasonal debut back in November, the Nigel Twiston-Davies horse looked in good shape and he will now head to Kempton for the King George. The bookmakers were impressed with his run at Haydock and he looks in good form ahead of his Gold Cup defence, he did sustain a cut on his leg after Haydock and he has not run since.

Injury has ruled out Diamond Harry who produced a faultless display to win the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury in November, the Nick Williams horse looked the winner for most of the trip and he beat Burton Port who ran well and Denman who ran yet another brave race. Denman ran a blinder giving away two stone to the front two while Diamond Harry will miss the Gold Cup with an injury.

We have seen a hugely interesting contender emerge in the Gold Cup Betting this season and that is the hugely progressive Midnight Chase who has won his last four starts at Cheltenham. The Neil Mulholland horse won well at the Open meeting before winning in some style at the International Meeting at Cheltenham last time out, he loves Prestbury Park and has to come into each-way consideration for the Gold Cup on that form.

The Irish team have one in Pandorama who won the Grade 1 Lexus Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas, he has long been thought highly of but he showed his class to beat the likes of Joncol and Cooldine in some style. Noel Meade was disappointed with his run in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury but he bounced back and could be one for some money as we approach the Gold Cup.

Paul Nicholls looks to have Neptune Collonges back to his very best following his impressive win in the Argento Chase on Cheltenham Festival Trials day last time out in January. The grey does have a third and a fourth place in the Gold Cup to his name and after a long injury he made all the running to hold on from a fast finishing Tidal Bay at Cheltenham. The bookmakers were quick to take note and cut him for the Gold Cup where his course form is sure to attract plenty of each-way money.

The Irish Hennessy is always a top class race and this year we have seen the impressive Kempes take the win for Willie Mullins, it looks a decent race as he beat Joncol and Glencove Marina comfortably and he was slashed for the Cheltenham Gold Cup as a result. On this form he should run well at Cheltenham and is sure to be well backed by each-way punters at the Festival, where he is likely to be the mount of A P McCoy.

Cheltenham Festival - Betting Tips