Paddy Power Gold Cup A Handicap chase Grade 3 (CLASS 1) (4yo+)

12/11/11 Cheltenham Racecourse 2 miles 5 furlongs 110 yards.

   

The Paddy Power Gold Cup seen by many as the real start of the National Hunt Season

Run since 1960 at Cheltenham over the old course this handicap chase is open to all horses over 4 years old.

Initially and perhaps best known as the Mackeson when it was sponsored by Mackeson. It has also been sponsored by Murphy's and Thomas Pink.

 

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List of Runners

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Race Preview

Poquelin

Good horse from the powerful Paul Nicholls stable. 4th in last seasons Ryanair at the festival and 5th in first outing in the Charlie hall means he will come here fit and well. But has he been left in to keep weight of Mon Parrain down?

Wishfull Thinking

Top class young chaser who loves this course. Winner of the grade 3 MURPHY GROUP CHASE over this course last season. Course and distance winner looks the pick of the crop and not one to leave out of any reckoning.

Oiseau De Nuit

Consistent in good races and winner of last seasons Grand Annual at the festival over 2m1f. Stepping up in trip today

Loosen My Load

Consistent course and distance winner. 2nd last April in the grade 1 POWERS GOLD CUP CHASE behind the very smart Realt Dubh looks useful form.

Mon Parrain

French import who has shot up the ratings in two runs for Paul Nichols. A Winner first time out for Nichols in a good grade 3 and a good 2nd in the Topham at Aintree. Should go off worthy favorite off this weight.

Great Endeavour

Good horse , second to Poquelin in a grade 3 at this course and that was the highlight of last season. Winner of the Grade 3 BYRNE GROUP PLATE at the festival 2010. Looks interesting if back to best.

Dave´s Dream

Can be inconsistent but good winner of the PaddyPower.Com chase here in 2010. Another who looks interesting off a low weight if back to best. Always runs well first time out and loves the course.

Holmwood Legend

Consistent horse that likes this course. Winner of the Grade 3 BYRNE GROUP PLATE at the festival last season and close 2nd behind Poquelin a month later. Usually need a run or two to show his best.

The Giant Bolster

Good Hurdler who has not yet transferred that form to chasing. Unseated in the RSA at the festival last season. Will have to improve.

Finger On the Pulse

Well exposed 10 year old but one with class. Winner of the Galway plate and also a listed chase here but that was some time ago.

Calgary Bay

Nice handicapper who does not win very often however often runs well in good quality races.

Araldur

French import that came here novice chasing and was good winning a grade 2 chase at Sandown and shot up in the handicap. Then went to hurdling and ran well. Has gone back to chasing on last run and run well when second to Fistral Beach. That looks below this class so he has to improve again but is another who could be exciting.

Noble Alan

Nice horse who has lost his way. Winner of the Scottish Champion hurdle so does have some class but can't be fancied on recent runs.

Quantitativeeasing

Nice young horse who put up some good runs last season. Despite his young age he was tried in the Irish National last season and finished 10th and ran well for three and a half miles. I would be worried that this trip is a little short for him.

Swincombe Rock

Nice young horse stepping up in class and looks to have plenty on from out of the handicap.

Aerial

Good French import who runs for the 3rd time in this country. Another stepping up in class but if the ground turns out heavy or worse would have a chance.

Tullamore Dew

Lightly races 9 year old. 3rd at the festival behind Divers and Quantitativeeasing in the CENTENARY NOVICES' HANDICAP CHASE. It is difficult to see have he could reverse that form here.

Divers

Good horse who has run well since moving here from France. The winner of the CENTENARY NOVICES' HANDICAP CHASE at the festival and the best of the bottom 8 runners that are out of the handicap but has plenty to do.

Billie Magern

Good novice chaser who was found wanting in better events at the end of last season, that said shaped up well here last month over 2m4f. Runs 5lbs out of the handicap so that is a worry here.

Fine Parchment

Puts in the odd poor run but can run well when on form. From a stable where a move in the betting market should not be ignored.

Selection Wishful Thinking : EW : Dave's Dream (E/W)

 

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Result of the Race

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