Antepost favourite Ginny’s Destiny is set to face 14 rivals in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday.
The C&D winner is bidding to hand trainer Paul Nicholls and jockey Harry Cobden a second-successive victory in the prestigious handicap after stablemate Stage Star surged to glory last year.
Ginny’s Destiny is joined in the line-up by fellow Ditcheat runner Il Ridoto, who finished third in last year’s renewal and fourth in 2022.
The winner of that edition of the Paddy Power Gold Cup, Ga Law, is bidding to regain the crown and carries just 11st 2lbs thanks to the presence of last term’s Ryanair Chase scorer Protektorat.
An Irish-trained runner has not won the race since 2009 but a trio of horses are bidding to end the losing streak – Willie Mullins’ Janidil, Henry de Bromhead’s Let’s Go Champ and Gavin Cromwell’s Hartur d’Arc.
The latest Paddy Power Gold Cup odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
Paddy Power Gold Cup 2024 verdict
Timeform: GINNY’S DESTINY has a similar profile to Stage Star who won this for the Nicholls/Cobden combination last year and can enhance his excellent Cheltenham record. 2022 winner Ga Law is feared most on the back of his fine reappearance second at Chepstow. In Excelsis Deo, another with strong Cheltenham form, is next on the list ahead of Harry Derham’s new recruit Imagine.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Paddy Power Gold Cup 2024 runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the Paddy Power Gold Cup 2024.
Protektorat
Trainer: Dan Skelton Jockey: Harry Skelton Age: 9 Weight: 12st 0lbs
Won the 2022 Betfair Chase at Haydock. Came up a little short in top-level staying races subsequently but a drop in trip saw him bounce back to winning ways in the Ryanair at the Festival in March. Backed that up when 2½ lengths third to Jonbon at Aintree. Clear top weight but still respected.
***
Ga Law
Trainer: Jamie Snowden Jockey: Gavin Sheehan Age: 8 Weight: 11st 2lbs
Won this race 2 years ago and bagged another big middle-distance handicap here in January. Better than ever when second on 19.5f Chepstow reappearance in January and his fine course record earns him a place on the shortlist.
****
Ginny’s Destiny
Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Harry Cobden Age: 8 Weight: 11st 2lbs
Had an excellent first campaign over fences with the Paul Nicholls yard, including a course hat-trick between November and January. Even better form when second to Gray Dawning at the Festival in March and runner-up in another Grade 1 at Aintree on final start. A bold show looks assured.
*****
Editeur Du Gite
Trainer: Gary & Josh Moore Jockey: Niall Houlihan Age: 10 Weight: 11st 1lbs
Bold-jumping front runner whose Desert Orchid success at Kempton last Christmas shows he’s still really smart on his day. However, he’s been well below that level in 4 outings since, dropping away tamely at Chepstow last month.
**
Janidil
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: B. Hayes Age: 10 Weight: 11st 0lbs
Hasn’t been at his best since chasing home Allaho in the Clonmel Oil last November but his stamina might have been stretched by 22.5f on soft ground when only third when favourite for a Galway conditions race in August. First-time blinkers replace cheekpieces.
***
Fugitif
Trainer: Richard Hobson Jockey: Sean Bowen Age: 9 Weight: 10st 13lbs
Finally landed a big pot in December Gold Cup here last December. Ended last season with a whimper but back to only 1 lb above that winning mark if a 7-month break and wind surgery have a reviving effect.
***
Imagine
Trainer: Harry Derham Jockey: Paul O’Brien Age: 6 Weight: 10st 6lbs
Looked an exciting chasing prospect when successful at Fairyhouse and Punchestown (Grade 2) last November. Well below par when only fourth back at Punchestown in January. Subsequently sold out of Gordon Elliott’s yard for 320,000 euros. Low-mileage chaser who remains capable of better.
****
Jetoile
Trainer: Ryan Potter Jockey: Dylan Johnston Age: 9 Weight: 10st 6lbs
Won handicap chases in 2022, notably the Old Roan at Aintree. Matched that form when fourth to the reopposing Lets Go Champ at Punchestown in May. Looked rusty back from break at Chepstow 5 weeks ago and needs to have come on a lot.
**
In Excelsis Deo
Trainer: Harry Fry Jockey: Bryan Carver Age: 6 Weight: 10st 4lbs
Career best when winning the Silver Trophy over 20.5f here in April. Ran poorly in the Galway Plate in first-time cheekpieces (retained) in July but he has a good Cheltenham record and his yard in among the winners. Respected.
****
Lets Go Champ
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead Jockey: M. P. O’Connor Age: 9 Weight: 10st 2lbs
Just his second handicap chase when readily justifying market support in a big field at Punchestown in May. Respectable sixth of 22 in Galway Plate (22.5f) 3 months later. Possible that trip just stretched him and could resume his progression now.
***
Hartur D’Arc
Trainer: Gavin Cromwell Jockey: Jonathan Burke Age: 7 Weight: 10st 2lbs
Won a 2½m Cork maiden chase and Leinster National at Naas (25.5f) on first 2 outings for Gavin Cromwell. Stamina might have been stretched in the Irish Grand National final start. Drops back significantly in trip on his reappearance for a stable whose Cheltenham runners always merit respect.
***
Madara
Trainer: Dan Skelton Jockey: Tristan Durrell Age: 5 Weight: 10st 2lbs
Much improved for Sophie Leach last term, winning good 2m handicaps here and at Leopardstown. Lacklustre display on Ascot reappearance a fortnight ago (only run for Kieran Burke). Dan Skelton hasn’t had long to work his magic but still no shock to see a big run. Up in trip.
***
Il Ridoto
Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Freddie Gingell Age: 7 Weight: 10st 2lbs
Likeable sort who was third in this last year before finishing second to Fugitif and third to Ga Law in other strong handicaps here in December/January. Didn’t shape with obvious promise on last month’s Chepstow reappearance after wind surgery but course form makes him a dangerous one to dismiss.
***
Straw Fan Jack
Trainer: Sheila Lewis Jockey: Sean Houlihan Age: 9 Weight: 10st 2lbs
Smart in his novice chase season. Didn’t reach quite the same level in the last campaign but did finish third in the Plate at the Festival. Has to race from 6 lb out of handicap on reappearance.
**
Weveallbeencaught
Trainer: Christian Williams Jockey: Jack Tudor Age: 7 Weight: 10st 2lbs
Useful hurdler/chaser for Nigel Twiston-Davies. Has run up to his best in novices at Worcester and this venue (handicap) for new yard this autumn but a big career best will be needed from 10 lb out of the handicap.
**
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