The festive period is a major time for the National Hunt racing season. With top-class racing from Boxing Day to New Year’s at the likes of Kempton Park and Leopardstown, there are Cheltenham Festival clues galore on both sides of the Irish Sea.
This is also often when the Gold Cup market really heats up. The King George VI Chase and the Savills Chase are both key trials for the Cheltenham Festival showpiece, and this year, the prestigious Grade 1s didn’t disappoint.
There is now very little to separate several high-class horses at the top of the Gold Cup Cheltenham Festival betting market, so let’s take a look at how the odds are now shaping up in what looks set to be a red-hot renewal of the iconic contest.
Inothewayurthinkin
Despite running no race at all in the Savills Chase, defending champion Inothewayurthinkin remains the favourite to retain the Gold Cup.
The JP McManus-owned horse was second favourite for the Leopardstown highlight, but drifted badly before the off to 13/2 and disappointed when coming home ninth of 11 runners.
Frank Berry, McManus’ racing manager, couldn’t offer up any excuse for the performance. It might be worth giving him another chance by putting a line through that run.
Galopin Des Champs
While he didn’t win the Savills Chase either, there was plenty to like about Galopin Des Champs’ effort in the contest that he’s won twice before.
The dual Gold Cup winner had every chance when hitting the front over the last couple of obstacles, but weakened late and finished third to Grand National-winning stablemate I Am Maximus and Affordale Fury.
Given it was his first run of the season, it’s understandable that Willie Mullins was pleased with the effort, and the fan favourite has a live chance of regaining his Gold Cup crown come March—becoming the first to do so since Kauto Star.
The Jukebox Man
FA Cup-winning manager Harry Redknapp has long been a prominent figure in National Hunt racing, but he landed his biggest prize yet as an owner when The Jukebox Man scored in the King George on Boxing Day.
It was a star-studded line-up for the Kempton classic, and it lived up to its billing, with four horses almost inseparable at the line.
The Jukebox Man’s rider, Ben Jones, celebrated as soon as they passed the finish, but it wasn’t as comfortable as he initially thought, with just a nose in it.
It would be a great story for the sport should The Jukebox Man go on to win the Gold Cup, and given Redknapp’s connection, it would generate some buzz around Cheltenham.
Jango Baie
Another horse that might not have won its respective race, the manner in which Jango Baie finished in a close fourth in the King George suggests that the more extended trip for the Gold Cup might be right up its street.
At 75, legendary trainer Nicky Henderson might not get many more chances to win a third Gold Cup, but Jango Baie, who won the Arkle at the Festival last year, could be bang in there as they turn the bend for home at Prestbury Park on March 13.
Other Contenders
Gaelic Warrior, who missed on the King George in that dramatic bob of heads on the line, is a 10/1 shot in the Gold Cup antepost odds, while Grey Dawning is 12/1 for the in-form Dan Skelton.