by L’Homme Presse is firmly back on track as a potential Cheltenham Gold Cup runner for Venetia Williams after the nine-year-old, on his first start for over a year, beat Protektorat by two and a quarter lengths in the Fleur of Lys Chase at Lingfield.
Galopin des Champs, the short-priced favorite and last year’s winner, may not have been shaking in his stable at the result but it was worth it for the horse who won the Brown Advisory Novices’ Championship at the festival in 2022. He was by him. not running from Charlie Deutsch’s single seat when booked for second place behind Bravemansgame in 2022 King George.
The Cheltenham Gold Cup is held on the last day of the four day Cheltenham Festival.
This year, the race is on Friday, March 15 and will begin at 3.30 p.m.
The race will be broadcast live on free-to-air television on ITV1. It will also be shown on Racing TV for subscribers.
But Elder 9, Mrs C Wymer & Mr PJS Russell, Lucinda Russell – 66/1
He is extremely talented on his day and with two class 1s to his name, he has the ability to mix it with the best. This season has not gone as planned although it has been drawn up twice. Supporters will say he usually comes alive in the spring but his form this season has a long way to go. Could go straight to Aintree.
Braveman game 9, John Dance and Bryan Drew, Paul Nicholls – 20/1
Consistent but has been one too good in each of his three starts this season. King George may have had it tough after being blocked at the end but links may feel it was a race to build after Shishkin’s departure. He ran a great race in last year’s Gold Cup win and will be in the play-off again if he delivers at that level.
Condensed 10, Gigginstown House Stud, Gordon Elliott – 100/1
Very classy at his best but, aged 10, he was unable to replicate the great performances of his youth. Enter the Cross Country and it was instantly installed as your favorite. All indications are that his goal will be in March.
Rambler Corach 10, The Ramblers, Lucinda Russell – 25/1
Aintree will once again be the main focus of last year’s Grand National winner but links have already suggested this will be his base. He has won at the last two festivals so as an outsider he will be interested in getting money somewhere if things turn into a slog.
Datsalrightgino 8, The GD Partnership, Jamie Snowden – 40/1
He has earned the right to be a favorite after winning the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury. However, it would have to gain 20lbs of improvement and get the least in the shakeup.
Envoi Alan 10, Cheveley Park Stud, Henry de Bromhead – 50/1
A three-time festival winner, who has the pedigree to make his presence felt. But this season’s win and second place behind Gerri Colombe was particularly striking when Galopin Des Champs beat that rival at Christmas. Ryanair might be their ultimate goal, with three thousand maybe something of a stretch.
Fastorslow 8, Sean & Bernardine Mulryan, Martin Brassil – 5/1
It is felt that this eight-year-old has much more to offer. She was also untouchable at last year’s festival but has since taken her form to another level, winning a pair of Grade 1s including a win over Galopin Des Champs at Ballypunsy. We were denied another game at Lepertown over Christmas but we will definitely get it at Cheltenham.
Galopin Des Champs 8, Mrs. Audrey Turley, Willie Mullins – 11/10
They were untouchable in last year’s race and the favorite is likely to be short priced again this year. Back to his best when he beat Gerri Colombe at Lepertown last time out, in a performance that looks like he’s far removed from his main rivals in the division. He is likely to run in the Irish Gold Cup before Cheltenham.
Gentleman’s game 8, Robcour, Mouse Morris – 20/1
The punters will definitely get special attention and probably more chances. Light racing in 2023 but looks to have improved on previous efforts, with a win and a second in Grade 2 company. A race like this is definitely a step up but for those looking for a contender with scope for improvement – for this could be yours.
Gerry Colombe 8, Robcour, Gordon Elliott – 10/1
It’s hard to escape the fact that Galopin Des Champs in Ballyna Lougher put him soundly in his place. He was certainly a great contender but now he has to prove that he has what it takes to seriously challenge the dominance of the Galopin Des Champs. The Irish Gold Cup will give him the chance to do just that.
Hewick 9, TJ McDonald, JJ Hanlon – 16/1
He has the story, the energetic trainer and the intensity – but is that enough in a race of this nature? He came from nowhere to beat the King George late on but will need to clean up his jumping significantly if he is to mount a serious challenge for honors at the festival. Connections has confirmed that it will run.
Game Jungle Boogie 10, Malcolm C Denmark, Henry De Bromhead – 50/1
A fragile horse, who has only run five times under rules at the age of ten. Turned out a career best to win a Grade 3 at Tramore on New Year’s Day but will need to step up again if he is to count at Cheltenham. He is running out of time to show how good he could be but as perhaps the least exposed horse in the race, he presents an interesting confrontation.
L’Homme Presse 9, DFA Racing, Venetia Williams – 10/1
Back with a bang at Lingfield and now it’s one of the best opportunities in Britain. Due to injuries we have seen him on the track just three times since April 2022 but he must now be taken seriously after a great win over a reasonable yard in the Fleur De Lys Chase. There’s a lot to like about this previous festival winner.
Manual 10, Mrs S Ricci, Willie Mullins – 66/1
At one time he looked to be an up-and-coming superstar force in the waiting room but rotten luck with injuries curtailed all his progress. Completely outclassed when he dropped into a Grade 1 clearing at Ballypunsy at the end of last season, Monk has not jumped a fence in public since April 2021. Hard to see him challenging if he goes into deep water. like this.
Hello 7, John And Yvonne Stone, Gary Moore – 40/1
The Welsh National winner has seen his 19lb rider since the start of the season. The Grand National probably has a tilt to the link’s mind but you could hardly blame them for coming to Cheltenham first. As a proven stayer, he may offer all-way value should the ground come up testing at Cheltenham.
protected 9 Sir A Ferguson G Mason J Hales & L Hales, Dan Skelton – 66/1
He has run in the last two Gold Cups and is far from embarrassing himself in either. Third place in 2022 was a very good effort but really minor places are the best he can hope for. A strong run behind L’Homme Presse at Lingfield showed that there is still some spark left but much more was needed if he was to have serious credentials as a winner.
Royal Pagaille 10, Mrs S Ricci, Venetia Williams – 33/1
A man who was like a machine on his day but he was capable of making pitiful rounds of jumping that torpedoed his chances. Back to a career high after breaking his Grade 1 duck in the Betfair Chase earlier this season but make no mistake, this would be a shock winner.
Shishkin 10, Mrs J Donnelly, Nicky Henderson – 9/1
The ultimate enigma of jump racing. He may be one of the five most talented horses in training but he has a frustrating tendency to get his own way. He failed to start his planned seasonal comeback before a jumping error cost him the chance to win the King George on Boxing Day. For all the drama, you feel he has at least one more seismic performance. Will he come here? Will it come at Aintree? Who knows…
Stay Out Fay 7, Chris Giles & Dave Staddo, Paul Nicholls – 40/1
Rounding into the novice forehead stay on either side of the Irish Sea. Was 18/1 when they won at the festival last season and has gone from strength to strength since being put over fences. This will be his one before long, but with Galopin Des Champs looking so strong at the head of the market it doesn’t feel like the year is going for novices into the Gold Cup.
Online Game The True Whacker 8, Neville, Mann, Duffus, Dennis-Price, Patrick Neville – 40/1
After racking up three straight wins as a freshman chaser last season – including a win at the festival – this bold front runner has stepped up a bit. Having been drawn up in a big handicap at Cheltenham before finishing ten lengths behind Hewick at Kempton, he needs to find something close to his best again to realistically be in contention.
