The main event on the final day of the Cheltenham Festival may be the most famous, but it isn’t the only Gold Cup to take place at the home of the jumping game. Hot on the heels of the Paddy Power Gold Cup in November, this weekend sees another gleaming trophy up for grabs in the December Gold Cup.
The 2m4½f trip is just half a furlong longer than that of the Paddy Power Gold Cup, but this £125,000 event sees the action switch from the Old Course to the New Course. Given the similar demands, this race regularly attracts many of the same contenders as the November highlight.
Since being added to the Cheltenham menu in 1963, the race has been won by star names such as Flying Bolt, Pendil, and Exotic Dancer, whilst the ever-popular Frodon landed the prize in 2016 and 2018.
As the clock ticks down towards the 2024 edition, 14 runners remain in contention, including several who are no strangers to Prestbury Park success.
Il Ridoto at the Double?
With seven outings on the new course and four on the old, few runners can match the Cheltenham experience of the Paul Nicholls-trained Il Ridoto. Finishing in the first four in seven of those runs, the seven-year-old picked up a second Cheltenham success when storming more than four lengths clear of the field in the Paddy Power Gold Cup last time out.
The handicapper has had his say in bumping Il Ridoto up eight pounds for that triumph, taking him to a career-high mark of 149. That’s six pounds higher than when he went down by just a short head in the 2023 edition of this, but with the excellent Freddie Gingell in the saddle, he can’t be ruled out. If Il Ridoto comes home in front, he will become the fourth horse to win the Paddy Power Gold Cup and December Gold Cup in the same season, joining Pegwell Bay (1988), Senor El Betrutti (1997), and Exotic Dancer (2006).
Fugitif Fights to Defend His Crown
Only two runners have claimed this prize on more than one occasion, the aforementioned Frodon and Poquelin (who won in 2009, 2010 and is the only back-to-back winner). That stat suggests 2023 winner Fugitif may have his work cut out, but, in common with Il Ridoto, this Richard Hobson runner relishes the Cheltenham challenge.
In eight runs at this track, the son of Ballingarry has finished in the first four on six occasions, including when denying Il Ridoto in a thriller 12 months ago. A pound lower than for that win, he is proving popular with punters in the build-up to the race.
Championship Leader Skelton to Strike?
Having lost out to Willie Mullins in a thrilling race for the 2023/24 British Trainers’ Championship, Dan Skelton appears to have the bit between his teeth in his mission to go one better. Over £400,000 ahead of his nearest pursuer, Paul Nicholls, the £71,187.50 in first-place prize money would come in handy as he bids to build a cushion moving into 2025.
Whilst boasting an excellent overall record in Cheltenham handicaps, Skelton has yet to land this prize. Having come close when saddling Spiritofthegames to finish second in 2019, Skelton relies on the youngest runner in the field in 2024. Showing a liking for this course when scoring over 2m½f at this meeting in 2023, Madara caught the eye on his debut for Skelton when staying on well for fourth in the Paddy Power Gold Cup last time. Nine pounds better off with conqueror Il Ridoto, he has solid claims of turning the tables from a handicapping perspective.
Stage to Star Again or Ga to Lay Down the Law?
The above trio dominate the top of the betting market. However, it is tough to rule anything out in a race where eight of the 14 entries have a previous course win to their name.
As a winner of three of his six Cheltenham starts at Cheltenham, including the Grade 1 Turners Novices’ Chase and 2023 edition of the Paddy Power Gold Cup, Stage Star adds a strong second string to the Paul Nicholls’ bow. Only fourth on his seasonal return at Aintree, he may fare better back at his favourite track on his second start following a wind operation.
Boasting career form figures of 151P2 at Cheltenham, Jamie Snowden’s Ga Law is another who regularly puts his best hoof forward at this course. Also heading here from the Paddy Power Gold Cup, he did well to finish second that day, having slipped on the home turn, and is seven pounds better off with Il Ridoto under these conditions.