The showpiece of the Cheltenham Festival is here as last year’s winner Inothewayurthinkin looks to upset the odds to retain his Gold Cup crown ahead of The Jukebox Man, Gaelic Warrior, Jango Baie and Haiti Couleurs
The Cheltenham Festival showpiece is upon us as Inothewayurthinkin looks to upset the odds and beat a stacked crowd to retain his Gold Cup crown.
The Gavin Cromwell-trained horse powered past Galopin Des Champs last year to end his hopes of a hat-trick of Gold Cup wins at odds of 15/2. But this time round, JP McManus’ best chance is an outsider after his form fell apart this season, including a heavy fall in the Irish Gold Cup last time out.
Harry Redknapp’s The Jukebox Man, Gaelic Warrior and Jango Baie, who finished locked together in the King George VI Chase, lead the market. While Welsh Grand National winner Haiti Couleurs is Wales’ hope of landing a first Gold Cup since Norton’s Coin’s shock 100/1 triumph in 1990, but Rebecca Curtis’ star is much more supported in his bid for history.
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Here, the Daily Star Sport’s racing expert Jason Heavey looks through the Gold Cup field one by one and gives his verdict.
1. ENVOI ALLEN – 28-1
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
Jockey: Darragh O’Keeffe
Remarkable horse running in his eighth successive Festival. This is probably his swansong and if he can finish in the first four it would be a fitting end. Each-way claims.
2. FIREFOX – 33-1
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Jockey: Jack Kennedy
Solid performer and fourth in the Irish Gold Cup but the petrol gauge might be flickering at the business end of the race.
3. GAELIC WARRIOR – 4-1
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Paul Townend
The class horse of the race but will he stay 3m2f? If he does he’ll probably win but the stamina doubt is enough to put me off. Still, a serious player.
4. GOLD TWEET – 125-1
Trainer: Gabriel Leenders
Jockey Clement Lefebvre
Talented French performer but as for winning? There’s probably more chance of Elon Musk becoming leader of the Labour Party.
5. GREY DAWNING – 12-1
Trainer: Dan Skelton
Jockey: Harry Skelton
A decent each-way chance if he can eradicate the habit of a mistake at a crucial time. Likely to find one or two too good.
6. HAITI COULEURS – 15-2
Trainer: Rebecca Curtis
Jockey: Sean Bowen
Laden with stamina in a race where so many are uncertain to get the trip. Winner of the Irish and Welsh National and some story if he can become Sean Bowen’s first Festival winner.
7. INOTHEWAYURTHINKIN – 15/2
Trainer: Gavin Cromwell
Jockey: Mark Walsh
Last year’s winner is back for more and has been the subject of a big gamble in the past 10 days. Poor form on the track this season but apparently he has been working well.
8. JANGO BAIE – 9-2
Trainer: Nicky Henderson
Jockey: Nico De Boinville
Last year’s Arkle winner was a close fourth in that classic King George VI Chase. He is still unproven at the trip but he is another who will be in the mix if he stays.
9. L’HOMME PRESSE – 50-1
Trainer: Venetia Williams
Jockey: Charlie Deutsch
No such stamina doubts but he will be hoping the heavens really open to make it a stiff test. Each-way squeak.
10. SPILLANE’S TOWER – 14-1
Trainer: Jimmy Mangan
Jockey: Harry Cobden
Still an unknown quantity. A career best on Trials Day and has Harry Cobden in the saddle riding for his soon to be boss. Would prefer softer ground.
11. THE JUKEBOX MAN – 4-1
Trainer: Ben Pauling
Jockey: Ben Jones
Second in the Albert Bartlett as a novice hurdler at the Festival. Unbeaten over fences and brilliant winner of the King George last time. Will jump, stay and travel and has the class.
VERDICT:
- THE JUKEBOX MAN
- HAITI COULEURS
- INOTHEWAYURTHINKIN