Cheltenham Gold Cup Form

The Cheltenham Gold Cup form boils down to a few races with the top chasers going down a tried and tested route ahead of a tilt at the Gold Cup. We are likely to see Long Run start off back at the Betfair Chase, the Nicky Henderson horse was the star last season and all eyes will be on him if he runs at Haydock. Other races to keep an eye on include the King George Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day and the Lexus Chase over in Ireland which are both excellent trial races.

Gold Cup Trial Races

• Betfair Chase Result
• Charlie Hall Chase Result
• Hennessy Gold Cup
• King George Chase Result
• Lexus Chase Result
• Argento Chase Result
• Irish Hennessy Gold Cup
• Betfair Denman Chase

Gold Cup Form Guide and Race Card 2012

We have had a top class renewal of the Charlie Hall Chase to kick off the Gold Cup trial races this season and we have seen an impressive win for Weird Al. The horse was running for his new trainer Donald McCain Jnr for the first time and he duly won well holding off a gallant charge from Time For Rupert at Weatherby. Both horses were beaten easily in the Betfair Chase behind Long Run and Kauto but Time for Rupert has bounced back with a straightforward win at Newbury in the Graduation Chase.

Quito De La Roque emerged as a genuine Gold Cup contender for Colm Murphy after he got up to win the JNWine Champion Chase at Down Royal. He stayed on well to catch Sizing Europe in the final furlong when he looked beaten to impress the bookmakers and punters as he won his fifth consecutive race. He couldnt continue that run in the Lexus Chase when third but still should not be ignored for Cheltenham if the rain comes.

The Betfair Chase is one of the key Gold cup trials and we have seen Kauto Star roll back the years to claim a brilliant win for Paul Nicholls. Kauto jumped as well as ever and gave Long Run no chance on his first start of the season and both will now go to the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day before the Gold Cup. Weird Al plugged on well to finish third ahead of the tiring Diamond Harry and Time For Rupert.

The King George Chase at Kempton is always a key trial race for the Gold Cup and there was a brilliant win for Kauto Star as he once again got the better of Long Run. The form book from Haydock was confirmed as Kauto galloped a game Long run out of the race with a strong pace and brilliant jumping and Kauto now looks a real Cheltenham contender once again. Those two were far too good for the field and a duel a Cheltenham now looks likely despite Kauto Star now being 12 years old.

The Lexus Chase over in Ireland is also renowned as a Gold cup trial and we had a surprise winner in the Jonjo O'Neill trained Synchronised. The Welsh National winner from 2010 was too good for the well fancied Quito de La Roque and Rubi Light at Leopardstown and has been slashed in the Gold Cup Betting as a result. The horse could give AP McCoy a ride in the Gold Cup and we know he stays so is likely to be the subject of some nice ante-post each way money for Cheltenham.

The Argento Chase is always a good Gold Cup trial and we have seen course specialist, Midnight Chase, take the win in fine style on trials day. The horse was given a front running ride and the remainder of the field could simply not handle the gallop he produced. Midnight Chase came fifth in the Gold Cup last season and could improve on that based on this run with the likes of Diamond Harry, Time for Rupert and Tidal Bay left trailing in his wake.

• 2011 Cheltenham Gold Cup Form Guide and Race Card

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