Cheltenham Gold Cup Guide 2023

167-rated chaser who made breakthrough last season when winning the 40-runner Grand National at Aintree in April before landing class one listed contest at Wexford in October last year.

Then went on to win grade two Many Clouds at Aintree in December at 3/1 before third here in the Cotswold behind Sounds Russian and Ahoy Senor in January.

Stays on well and won’t mind the 3m 2f trip and holds probable each-way claims.

Decent nine-year-old chaser for Venetia Williams who was a good second to Bravemansgame in the King George over Christmas which was one of his best efforts in this company and has won at grade two level but this is a different ball game.

Has finished sixth and fifth in the last two renewals of the Gold Cup and can be dismissed here in what is a very strong race on paper.

Experienced nine-year-old who was mightily impressive here last year, winning this contest by a hugely comfortable 15 lengths to stablemate Minella Indo. Pulled up in the Betfair Chase on sole run since festival success, where fellow runner Protektorat stormed home.

Punters would ideally have liked him to run more than once in lead up here especially being pulled up, so maybe not as confident backing him but if he’s on song he can go close again.

Experienced chaser for Gordon Elliott who landed Grade One Savills Chase last time out at Leopardstown in December before being kept fresh for this.

That wasn’t the strongest grade one you’ve ever seen and has only had one run here before, falling in the Ryanair last year two out.

Steps up five furlongs here so has a bit to prove about w

The big outsider of the contest at 100/1 is Eldorado Allen, who arrives here having finished fifth in the Denman Chase at Newbury last time out, after fourth in the King George over Christmas.

Did ok in the Grade One Betfair Chase won by Protektorat in November and tasted victory in last year’s Denman but this is harder.

He was third in the Ryanair last year but with this year’s Gold Cup being filled with grade one horses he may struggle.

Dan Skelton’s Protektorat comes here boasting numerous graded successes in his armoury as well as running well in this race 12 months ago, finishing third behind Minella Indo and A Plus Tard.

Has been gearing up for this all season and landed Betfair Chase at Haydock before fourth in the Cotswold here in January.

Trainer Skelton has been preparing him for this race all season and he can come into the reckoning again as he did last year if things can go his way.

Ten-year-old who won this contest two years ago in 2021 at 9/1 before second in last year’s renewal when 15 lengths behind A Plus Tard.

Has had just two runs since in the Punchestown Gold Cup, where he was pulled up after the 11th as Allaho romped home before landing grade three at Tramore on New Year’s Day, beating Stattler by a neck.

Two wins and two seconds are his record at the festival so it would not be a surprise to see him go well again despite a very good field of horses.

170-rated chaser who comes here after a 153-day break following a run at Listowel in September last year, where he unseated his rider at the last when in the race for victory.

He had won his last two races over fences before that, at Galway before landing a Grade Three Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Sandown in April last year over 3m 4f.

This is his first run at the festival and stepping into graded company which looks a tough ask despite positives, being able to stay the trip and having a good record over fences may not be enough in this race.

Eight-year-old Willie Mullins chaser who won here 12 months ago in the National Hunt Chase, beating Run Wild Fred by eight lengths.

Decent second behind Minella Indo in Grade Three Savills at Tramore in January before runner-up again at Leopardstown in the Irish Gold Cup behind Galopin Des Champs to come here in good form again.

Longer trip than last time out will play to his strengths having won over 3m 5f here last year and mustn’t be dismissed.

Eight-year-old for Paul Nicholls who has only lost once over fences, when finishing fourth of four at 11/8 favourite in Aintree grade one in April, behind L’Homme Presse, Fury Road and Ahoy Senor.

Apart from that, near perfect over fences including impressive 14-length victory in the King George in December and has been kept fresh since.

He looks to be one of Nicholls’ top chances for festival glory but runs into Galopin Des Champs here but it will be an amazing race.

Comes here having produced some really good form over the last year or so, including second in the Brown Advisory at the festival last year behind L’Homme Presse over 3m before landing two graded wins at Aintree and here at Cheltenham to boast good form before this contest.

It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him run a good race for Lucinda Russell despite this being a very strong Gold Cup renewal.

Top-class chaser who should be unbeaten over fences if it wasn’t for a fall at the last 12 months ago in the Turners when 11 lengths clear, gifting Bob Olinger victory.

Has since won all three runs over fences since, including an easy win in the John Durkan at Punchestown in December before winning the Irish Gold Cup over 3m at the Dublin Racing Festival, beating Stattler by eight lengths.

Stayed on well there and he jumps very well, leading player if staying the extra 2f which doesn’t seem like an issue so should be very difficult to beat.

Eight-year-old for Ruth Jefferson who arrives here in good form over fences, four of his career runs over the larger obstacles at Sedgefield and Kelso (three times).

Last Kelso victory came at class two level before stepping into graded company with fourth in the Many Clouds Chase, second in a class one handicap before second in the Cotswold Chase here 48 days ago.
Likely to be a bit more vulnerable here having only ran against the likes of Ahoy Senor compared to say Galopin Des Champs, and may struggle to have a part to play.