The Caspian Caviar Gold Cup is a handicap chase event over the two-mile four-furlong trip. The race is a class 1, grade 3 event at Cheltenham on Saturday. This preview will look at all 15 entries in the race this year.
Caspian Caviar Gold Cup Runner Guide
Number 1 – Frodon – 7/1
Trainer – Paul Nicholls
Jockey – Bryony Frost
Last win came at Aintree at the end of October in grade 2 company. Nicholls has gotten this 6-year-old into good form again. Finished behind rival Baron Alco last time out over course and distance, so has more find to turn the tables. Has been a good servant of the Nicholls yard, who are in red hot form at the moment. Chances if he can defy top weight.
Number 2 – Baron Alco – 6/1
Trainer – Gary Moore
Jockey – Jamie Moore
This 7-year-old has been excellent over fences, placing in all of his chase starts to date. Won last time over course and distance last time, beating rival Frodon along the way. Jumped very well that day in a game front running display. Will enjoy the ground, obstacles and course. Will be there or there about.
Number 3 – Rather Be – 3/1F
Trainer – Nicky Henderson
Jockey – Jeremiah McGrath
Was brought down last time in the race that Baron Alco won at Cheltenham. Was travelling powerfully in that contest though and was brought down four out. Was second in the Close Brother’s Novices’ handicap at the festival back in March though, so has course form. Looked to be handling the good ground last time and has a live chance for a powerful yard.
Number 4 – War Sound – 10/1
Trainer – Philip Hobbs
Jockey – Richard Johnson
Won last month in class 2 company at Aintree over a furlong less than here. Won very comfortably that day, so the extra furlong shouldn’t be a problem in this. Champion jockey booked to take the ride, so will be sure to be put into the race. Will need to keep on improving, up in class in this, but looks up to the task. Should run well.
Number 5 - Cobra De Mai – 25/1
Trainer – Dan Skelton
Jockey – Harry Skelton
Stayed on last time at Aintree in a class 2 handicap to come fourth behind the winner, Mr Medic, who he takes on in this. Wasn’t fluent at his fences last time. Won at Stratford before that run, in class 3 company. Will enjoy the ground and has run quite well at this track in the past. Will have to run well to run into a place in this.
Number 6 – Mr Medic – 10/1
Trainer – Robert Walford
Jockey – James Best
Ran very well last time at Ascot, winning after a long time off the course. Did win at Ascot prior to the lay off. Will stay on for every yard of this trip and will appreciate the ground. This is his first run at Cheltenham. Won’t mind a bit of rain either, so all things look set to be a good run. Will come on for his previous run after a lay off. If he can eek out a bit more, this Robert Walford runner has a decent chance.
Number 7 – Cepage – 10/1
Trainer – Venetia Williams
Jockey – Charlie Deutsch
Ran a decent race last time in grade 2 company last time out in April. Outclassed a shade but kept on steadily into fourth place. Over course and distance too, with similar ground, this 6-year-old is an interesting runner. Has never had such a break, so this Venetia Williams runner could run well fresh or may benefit from this run.
Number 8 - Casablanca Mix – 10/1
Trainer – Nicky Henderson
Jockey – Nico de Boinville
Would seem that this is Nicky Henderson’s second-string runner in this race, but this 6-year-old looks to have a decent chance. Ran a decent race last time in a class 1 listed event at Market Rasen, where he was sent off an even money favourite. Just wasn’t able to last the two-mile seven-furlong trip on that day, so the drop-in trip could suit.
Number 9 – Full Glass – 14/1
Trainer – Alan King
Jockey – Daryl Jacob
Was bang in the thick of things last time out at Haydock before unseating his rider four out in a class 2 event. That is just his second run in Britain though, previously running at Ayr in April, where he came third in a class 1 listed contest. If he can replicate that form, and jump his fences soundly, this 5-year-old may have a part to play in this.
Number 10 – Catamaran Du Seuil – 16/1
Trainer – Richard Newland
Jockey – Charlie Hammond
Charlie Hammond claims five in this, so effectively the bottom weight in the race. Fell early in his previous outing last Saturday at Aintree, so comes looking to put that right. Won in class 3 company before that run at Wetherby. Will enjoy the good ground and if this gelding jumps his fences, he may hold decent place chances.
Number 11 – Splash of Ginge – 20/1
Trainer – Nigel Twiston-Davies
Jockey – Jamie Bargary
All of his best performances have come at this track. Won the BetVictor Gold Cup here last January and was only beaten by The Storyteller at the festival this year. This horse is desperate for soft ground and if the rain does come, he looks a good each-way bet. Likely to be found out by the good ground but has been a good servant for Twiston-Davies.
Number 12 – Casse Tete – 33/1
Trainer – Gary Moore
Jockey – Joshua Moore
Was the subject of some money last time out but flattered to deceive and eventually unshipped his rider at the seventh. Did win in February on soft ground but has struggled to get into any other race since then. Didn’t run badly when eighth in the ultima handicap chase at the festival but needs to improve. Probably won’t enjoy the good ground.
Number 13 – Romain De Senam – 25/1
Trainer – Paul Nicholls
Jockey – Sean Bowen
Unseated his rider at the first fence at Cheltenham last time. Before that though, didn’t run badly behind War Sound at Aintree in class 2 company in at the start of November. Won’t mind the good ground. Nicholls yard in far better form than they were in last year, so potentially some improvement may be gotten out of this 6-year-old.
Number 14 – Foxtail Hill – 14/1
Trainer – Nigel Twiston-Davies
Jockey – Sam Twiston-Davies
Tends to run freely up front. Hasn’t been able to land a glove on many in recent attempts but has run well at this track in the past. Won the Randox Handicap Chase a year ago, but that was a lot lesser trip and obviously we haven’t seen anything of note since. Came third in the same race this year and looked ok before making mistakes at key moments. If able to rekindle old form, has a chance.
Number 15 – Guitar Pete – 8/1
Trainer - Nicky Richards
Jockey - Ryan Day
Has been consistent of late. Placed in his last two outings at Wetherby and most recently at Cheltenham. Did come behind two of his rivals in here, Baron Alco and Frodon, but he gains a stone on those two runners on this occasion, and could revert that form. Will enjoy the ground, and the track, so this experienced 8-year-old won't be far away.