Cheltenham Gold Cup Preview - Cheltenham Festival

Published on: 13/03/2020

Cheltenham Gold Cup Preview - Cheltenham Festival

March 13, 2020 15:30pm - Cheltenham

Distance: 3m 2f 70y

Grade: (Grade 1) (Class 1) (5yo+)

Runners: 12

Winner: £351,688

Going: Soft

The Cheltenham Gold Cup is the premier event in jump racing and has been won by some of the greatest racehorses ever to grace the turf. It is the most valuable jumps race in the UK and Ireland with a purse of £351,688 waiting for the winner. The 3m 2f 70y course features 22 fences and is the ultimate test for staying chasers who must find that extra ounce of energy to make the final push up the hill to the finish. The winners` list is a roll call of greatness featuring the likes of Golden Miller, Mill House, Arkle, Best Mate and Kauto Star.

All eyes will be on Al Boum Photo who was the surprise winner last year. None since the great Best Mate have retained the crown so he has his work cut out in a quality field here. He will undoubtedly arrive in good shape having been prepared all year for this moment. Five of this year`s runners were behind him last year so it is up to them to move up a level. Double King George winner Clan Des Obeaux could be on those to reverse last year`s result. He comes here fresh after a break and should be in contention.

Kemboy is an interesting prospect. He showed great form on the firmer ground last season winning three Grade One races. He beat Clan Des Obeaux (Aintree) and Al Boum Photo (Punchestown) and will go well again here if the ground has dried up a little by the afternoon. He finished second to Delta Work last time out when conditions were not quite to his liking. Looks good value at 9/1.

Delta Work also arrives in good form and he has a decent Festival record. The former Pertemps Hurdle winner finished third in last year`s RSA and has landed two Grade One wins since. Santini finished second in that RSA but has had a chaotic season since. Yet he came back from wind surgery to win the Cotswold Chase and could also be in contention.

Albert Bartlett Spa Novices Hurdle Winners - past four years:

2014: Lord Windermere (8) - Davy Russell (Jim Culloty)

2015: Coneygree (8) - Nico de Boinville (Mark Bradstock)

2016: Don Cossack (9) - Bryan Cooper (Gordon Elliott)

2017: Sizing John (7) - Robbie Power (Jessica Harrington)

2018: Native River (8) - Richard Johnson (Colin Tizzard)

2019: Al Boum Photo - P Townend (Willie Mullins)

Latest Betting odds:

Al Boum Photo (3/1), Santini (9/2), Delta Work (9/2), Clan Des Obeaux (13/2), Lostintranslation (9/1), Kemboy (9/1), Presenting Percy (12/1), Monalee (16/1), Chris`s Dream (20/1), Bristol De Mai (20/1), Real Steel (50/1), Elegant Escape (80/1)

By Neil Morris

Published on: 13/03/2020

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (13/03/2020 11:36:31) but are subject to change.