The Caspian Caviar Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Saturday 16 December) started life as the December Gold Cup in 1963, and was run under several different names until its present sponsor took over in 2014. It is run over 2 miles 4 furlongs and 166 yards on the New Course at Cheltenham, and its most famous winners include Flying Bolt, Pendil, Pegwell Bay, Fondmort and Exotic Dancer, whilst Poquelin is the only horse to have won the race twice.
Major Trends
- The last 10 winners have been aged 4, 6, 7 or 8
- The last 10 winners have been rated between 133 and 163
- The last 10 winners have carried between 10-0 and 11-8
- Poquelin was the shortest-priced of the last 10 winners at 7/2
- Tamarinbleu was the longest-priced of the last 10 winners at 22/1
- Paul Nicholls has trained 4 of the last 8 winners
Major Contenders
Starchitect
Neck second in the Betvictor at Cheltenham in November and, though the handicapper has raised him for that effort, he’s 1lb better-off with the winner. Obvious chance of going close again.
Clan Des Obeaux
Trained by Paul Nicholls, who thinks the world of him, but has been raised 7lb for his easy win at Haydock last time. He won off top-weight there, but no horse has carried 11-12 or more to victory in this race since 1973.
Le Prezien
Slightly better off with the two that finished in front of him in the Betvictor but, though he’s likely to be on the premises at the business end again, he never looked like winning there.
Ballyalton
Likeable sort who finished fourth in the Betvictor, and is weighted to get closer to the three who finished in front of him. Every drop of rain probably decreases his chances though.
King’s Oddyssey
Fell in last year’s renewal, and this course-winner returns on a lower-mark this time. Relishes soft ground, and a similar statistical-fit to 4 of the last 5 winners.
Kylemore Lough
Fifth in last year’s renewal off a higher-mark, but blundered away his chances in the Betvictor when backed into favouritism. Could find the necessary improvement on his second start for trainer Harry Fry, but has a few questions to answer.
Romain De Senam
Third possibility for Paul Nicholls, but this one was 12-lengths behind the winner in the Betvictor. Made a mistake there but, whilst he could get closer, he may prefer better ground.
Splash Of Ginge
Surprise winner of the Betvictor, but he was weighted to win that race on past form, and is still on a lower-mark then when winning a similar race in January 2015. No great surprise if he runs well again, but has never won two races in succession.
Summary
Most of the protagonists from this season’s Betvictor Gold Cup are back for more, and Kylemore Lough is perhaps the most interesting of them having blundered away his chance having been sent-off favourite. However, King’s Odyssey gets the vote off a lower-mark than last year, with his stable going well.
2017 Caspian Gold Cup Tip: King’s Odyssey