Fugitif is bidding to become the second horse in history to win consecutive December Gold Cups at Cheltenham.
The reigning champion is set to carry 1lbs less than the weight he lugged to success in last year’s renewal, which is exactly the same as Poquelin did when successfully defending his crown in 2010.
Richard Hobson’s stable star is not the only horse attempting to join an elite club in Saturday’s 13:50, however, as Il Ridoto will try to become the fourth horse to complete the Paddy Power Gold Cup-December Gold Cup double in the same season.
December Gold Cup odds can be found on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise key historical trends from the last 10 renewals and a tip based off the big-race stats are below.
December Gold Cup 2024 trends
LAST TIME OUT
- 10/10 had their previous run within the last 20 to 36 days
The race comes too soon for Le Patron as he is turned out just 15 days on from winning a handicap at Newbury, while Stage Star and Grandeur d’Ame have been off the track for too long at 48 days and 63 days respectively.
DISTANCE FORM
- 10/10 had at least one win over 20 or 21 furlongs
Madara is the next to be scrubbed from calculations as 19-and-a-half furlongs is his longest-winning distance to date.
CHASE FORM
- 10/10 had between five and 24 runs over fences
Guard Your Dreams has only run in five chases in his career.
COURSE FORM
- 9/10 had previously run at Cheltenham
Sure Touch is the next to fall out of the running as the December Gold Cup will be his first outing at Cheltenham.
AGE
- 9/10 were aged four to eight
Fugitif can be scrubbed from calculations at the age of nine.
WEIGHT
- 9/10 carried 11st 5lbs or less
Stage Star and Ga Law will have to be on their best form as they are set to carry 12st and 11st 8lbs respectively.
December Gold Cup 2024 trends verdict
A race that has not been won by a favourite since Poquelin in 2009, it is, perhaps, not a great surprise that a couple of horses at each-way prices emerge as the trends picks – IL RIDOTO and IN EXCELSIS DEO.
*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
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