Kandoo Kid finished second in last year’s Greatwood Gold Cup and bids to go one better at Newbury on Saturday.
Paul Nicholls’ leading hope for the Grand National is significantly higher in the weights compared to 12 months ago after being hit with a 7lbs hike for winning the prestigious Coral Gold Cup at the track in November.
Iroko, another major player in the antepost betting for the Aintree showpiece, shares top weight with Kandoo Kid but is unlikely to take his place as Kelso’s Premier Chase is his first preference.
That means the Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero team are set to rely on Billytherealbigred, who has shown plenty of promise in three runs over fences.
Vincenzo is also lightly-raced over the larger obstacles, Dan Skelton pins his hopes on Le Milos, while Paint The Dream attempts to regain the crown he won in 2022.
The latest Greatwood 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.
Greatwood Gold Cup 2025 verdict
Timeform: BILLYTHEREALBIGRED is a really likeable type and going from strength to strength over fences so can quickly resume winning ways on the back of an excellent Cheltenham second. Sandown-victor Vincenzo should find this longer distance in his favour and is next on the list, while C&D scorer Saint Segal and in-form pair Kotmask and Kandoo Kid can all have a say too. Beau Balko completes the shortlist in this cracking handicap.
*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
Greatwood Gold Cup 2025 runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the Greatwood Gold Cup 2025.
Kandoo Kid
Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Harry Cobden Age: 9 Weight: 12st 0lbs
Resumed better than ever on the back of breathing surgery when landing Coral Gold Cup here (26f, good to soft) in November. Back down in trip but he still needs considering despite a 7 lb weights hike.
***
Iroko
Trainer: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr. Age: 7 Weight: 12st 0lbs
Very smart chaser who comes here on the back of a promising fourth of 11 in handicap chase at Cheltenham (20.6f) 35 days ago, not knocked about. Open to improvement so he’s an interesting contender from a good mark. 1st preference Kelso 145 Saturday.
***
Midnight River
Trainer: Dan Skelton Jockey: Ciaran Gethings Age: 10 Weight: 11st 7lbs
Ended 2022/23 with Grade 3 handicap win at the Aintree Grand National meeting. Lightly raced since and patiently ridden when fifth of 8 in handicap chase at Cheltenham (20.6f, soft) in January. Not one to write off from a falling mark.
***
Le Milos
Trainer: Dan Skelton Jockey: Harry Atkins Age: 10 Weight: 11st 5lbs
2022 Coral Gold Cup victor here. Disappointed last season but resumed winning ways off a reduced mark in 2m4f Warwick veterans’ handicap three weeks ago. Back up 4 lb but he’s no forlorn hope.
***
Saint Segal
Trainer: Mrs Jane Williams Jockey: David Noonan Age: 7 Weight: 11st 1lbs
C&D winner in December who took his form up a notch when second of 12 in handicap chase at Musselburgh (20.3f, good to soft) last month. Thriving at present and he can go well again.
****
Light N Strike
Trainer: Emma Lavelle Jockey: Jack Tudor Age: 9 Weight: 11st 1lbs
A very useful 2m chase winner in May, 2023, but lightly raced since and he came in last of 6 in handicap hurdle at Warwick (21f, soft) 21 days ago. Has lots to prove back over fences.
**
Paint The Dream
Trainer: David Brace Jockey: Connor Brace Age: 11 Weight: 10st 11lbs
Dual C&D winner but hasn’t gone on since his reappearance, only seventh of 10 in handicap chase at Market Rasen (21.4f, good to soft) 43 days ago. Others appeal more.
**
Vincenzo
Trainer: Sam Thomas Jockey: Dylan Johnston Age: 7 Weight: 10st 10lbs
Resumed winning ways in 7-runner handicap chase at Sandown (15.4f, soft) 36 days ago, finding plenty. Up 5 lb but he’s not taken lightly with this return to a longer trip a likely plus.
****
Kotmask
Trainer: Gary & Josh Moore Jockey: Caoilin Quinn Age: 7 Weight: 10st 8lbs
Scored at Ascot in December and not disgraced when sixth of 10 in handicap chase there (21f) 42 days ago. Needs considering eased 1 lb.
***
Billytherealbigred
Trainer: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero Jockey: Toby Wynne Age: 5 Weight: 10st 8lbs
Has made an excellent start over fences, going in at Bangor and Exeter before a fine second of 7 in handicap at Cheltenham (20.6f, soft) 35 days ago. This likeable front-runner has more to offer. Player.
*****
Beau Balko
Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Ben Bromley Age: 7 Weight: 10st 5lbs
Reliable sort doubled his tally over fences at Wincanton in November. Good efforts all three outings since, runner-up at Musselburgh last time, and he’s likely to be in the mix again.
***
Scarface
Trainer: Joe Tizzard Jockey: Brendan Powell Age: 8 Weight: 10st 5lbs
Yet to score this term but he arrives in good nick, fourth of 10 in handicap chase at Ascot (21f, good to soft) 42 days ago. Ought to be in the shake-up again.
***
Spyglass Hill
Trainer: Barry Brennan Jockey: Adam Wedge Age: 12 Weight: 10st 5lbs
A very useful 2m4f chase winner for Henry de Bromhead. Lightly raced since and pulled up in hunter chase at Aintree when last seen 10 months ago. Needs this yard switch to spark a resurgence.
**
Tedley
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies Jockey: Jamie Brace Age: 6 Weight: 10st 4lbs
Won handicaps at Uttoxeter and Wetherby on his first 2 outings over fences and has mostly performed with credit in defeat since. Vulnerable in this company, though.
***
Prince Quali
Trainer: Robert Walford Jockey: Harry Kimber Age: 8 Weight: 10st 3lbs
Ended last season with back-to-back 2m Chepstow wins and in good nick this term without scoring. Fell fifth back at Chepstow last time and very much the sort to bounce back.
***
Booster Bob
Trainer: Olly Murphy Jockey: Sean Bowen Age: 7 Weight: 10st 2lbs
Made a successful chase debut at Ffos Las on his return and in good form until a well-held third of 5 at Chepstow (16f, heavy) 32 days ago. Needs to bounce back.
***
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