The Betvictor Gold Cup (Saturday 18 November) was first run in 2016, but the race itself started life in 1960 as the Mackeson Gold Cup, whilst it has also been sponsored by Murphy’s, Thomas Pink and Paddy Power. It’s most famous winner is 2008 winner Imperial Commander, who went on to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup, whilst 2006 winner Exotic Dancer only found the brilliant Kauto Star too good in Cheltenham’s Blue Riband Race. The race is run on Cheltenham’s Old Course over 2-miles 4½-furlongs and 15 fences.
Trends This Century
- 7-year-olds have won 8 of the 17 renewals this century
- Weights carried range from 10-2 to 11-11
- Winners have been rated between 136 and 156
- Shooting Light was the shortest-priced winner at 9/4
- Little Josh was the longest-priced winner at 20/1
- Jonjo O’Neill has trained 3 of the last 11 winners
- Paul Nicholls has trained 2 of the last 5 winners
- There has been only 1 Irish-trained winner.
- Sam Twiston-Davies has ridden 2 of the last 7 winners
Major Contenders
Kylemore Lough
The 8-year-old has recently been transferred to Harry Fry and, if his new trainer improves him, then he has every right to go close having run two terrific races in big Cheltenham Handicaps last year. Probably needs soft to heavy ground to be seen at his best though.
Tully East
Connections landed a decent gamble with their 7-year-old at last season’s Cheltenham Festival, but this contest is likely to have much more strength in depth. Every right to still be improving though, and had a prep-race over hurdles to make sure he’s fit.
Romain De Senam
Looking to become only the second 5-year-old to win this race this century, but the other was also trained by Paul Nicholls and ridden by Sam Twiston-Davies. Looked like a seriously improved animal on his comeback, and has been freshened-up since winning for a second-time 6 days later. Needs a few to be withdrawn to guarantee a run, and connections will be desperate to get one having seen him balloted out of his intended run at last season’s Cheltenham Festival.
Cloudy Dream
Ran a cracking race on his seasonal appearance in the Old Roan Chase but, whilst he had a light-weight there, he’ll have to shoulder top-weight here – which looks a tough ask against some unexposed looking horses.
Go Conquer
Really impressed in winning his two starts this season, leading all the way in both races and doing it comfortably both times. Has also run well at Cheltenham before over a longer distance, and this drop-in trip here could be right up his street if he gets decent ground. Trained by Jonjo O’Neill.
Starchitect
Was fancied to win at the big Spring Festivals, but couldn’t quite manage it. However, the 6-year-old looked like he had been freshened-up when making a winning seasonal reappearance, and this looks an obvious target for an inform stable that has won it 8-times in all.
Foxtail Hill
Nigel Twiston-Davies runner whose record over fences is 1/F/2/1. Won well on seasonal reappearance, but may find himself pressurised for the lead in this top-class handicap.
Our Betting Tip for the The Betvictor Gold Cup
This is likely to be run at a decent pace, and horses like Go Conquer and Foxtail Hill may be vulnerable to a horse ridden off the pace in the closing stages. That horse could easily be Romain De Senam, who looks sure to go well in his bid to match the feat of their 2014 winner Caid Du Berlais off a similar mark.
Tip: Romain De Senam