Having won the 2023 edition of this race with Stage Star, who landed the Turners Novices’ Chase in the previous season, Paul Nicholls saddled a similar contender in the shape of last season’s Turners Novices’ Chase runner-up, Ginny’s Destiny. Sent off as the 3/1 market leader, punters were quick to latch onto his claims. The seven-year-old Il Ridoto provided Nicholls with a strong second string to his bow: fourth in 2022 and third in 2023 – would it be a case of third time lucky for the mount of Freddie Gingell?
The 2022 champ Ga Law came next in the betting for the Jamie Snowden team. A 13-pound higher mark for that success made life tougher. But unlike Ginny’s Destiny, he had the benefit of a recent run to blow away the cobwebs. Harry Derham’s Imagine boasted an attractive unexposed profile and was good enough to land a Grade 2 for former trainer Gordon Elliott, whilst the Harry Fry-trained In Excelsis Deo had hit the frame in three of four previous Cheltenham outings.
Ryanair Chase winner Protektorat was the proven class act in the field but would need to defy top weight of 12 stone. Others to note included Fugitif, who, in common with Il Ridoto, was making his third appearance in this race, and the Irish Rider, Lets Go Champ, who came in for late support in the market.
Result
- 1st – Il Ridoto 10/1, Jockey: Freddie Gingell, Trainer: Paul Nicholls
- 2nd – Ga Law 9/2, Jockey: Gavin Sheehan, Trainer: Jamie Snowden
- 3rd – Lets Go Champ 15/2, Jockey: Mike O’Connor, Trainer: Henry De Bromhead
Prize Money Breakdown
- 1st – £84,405
- 2nd – £31,800
- 3rd – £15,915
- 4th – £7,950
- 5th – £3,990
- 6th – £1,995
- 7th – £990
- 8th – £510
Tote and Forecast Payouts
- Tote Win – £11
- Tote Places – 1st – £3, 2nd – £2.30, 3rd – £2.60
- Exacta – £60.60
- Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) – £54.54
- Trifecta – £522
- Tricast – £370.97
Recap
Editeur Du Gite and Lets Go Champ seemed keen to get on with things as the runners set off and jumped the first fence in unison. Ginny’s Destiny had picked up a nice early position against the inside rail and came next, followed by the prominent Il Ridoto. Fugitif, Imagine, and In Excelsis Deo were among those held up towards the rear.
Heading into the back straight, Editeur Du Gite won the battle for the lead, closely pursued by Lets Go Champ, Il Ridoto and Ginny’s Destiny. Jetoile, Protektorat, and Imagine in midfield, with Fugitif and Weveallbeencaught playing a waiting game in the rear.
Little change in the order as the runners passed the winning post for the first time, but the gap from first to last had extended to around 12 lengths. The complexion of the race began to change in the back straight. Following a desperate error at the water jump from Editeur Du Gite, Mike O’Connor pushed Lets Go Champ into the lead, tracked through by Il Ridoto and Ga Law. Ginny’s Destiny travelled well on the inside, but Wevallbeencaught, Imagine, and Jetoile were all beginning to struggle.
Turning for home, In Exelsis Deo’s challenge ended with an unseat at the fourth last as the leaders began to increase the pace. Protektorat made a bold effort to go with them, but that welter burden began to take its toll. Ginny’s Destiny, Lets Go Champ, and Il Ridoto made a wave of three over the third last, and it was the favourite who emptied first. Initially tapped for toe, Ga Law began to stay on again whilst Fugitif was picking off runners from the rear of the field.
Il Ridoto kicked for home over the second last to open up a two-length advantage, with Ga Law moving up to challenge Lets Go Champ. A brilliant jump over the last sealed the deal, as Il Ridoto powered up the hill to score by four and a half lengths. Ga Law did well to overcome a couple of jumping errors and grab second close home, with Lets Go Champ running a solid race in third.
Back-to-back Paddy Power Gold Cups for Nicholls and a fourth overall. A huge result for one of the most talented up-and-coming riders in the sport, as Freddie Gingell bagged the biggest payday of his career to date.
Runners
- 1. Protektorat – SP: 9/1, Trainer: Dan Skelton, Jockey: Harry Skelton
- 2. Ga Law – SP: 9/2, Trainer: Jamie Snowden, Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
- 3. Ginny’s Destiny – SP: 3/1F, Trainer: Paul Nicholls, Jockey: Harry Cobden
- 4. Editeur Du Gite – SP: 100/1, Trainer: Gary & Josh Moore, Jockey: Niall Houlihan
- 5. Janidil – SP: 40/1, Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: Brian Hayes
- 6. Fugitif – SP: 28/1, Trainer: Richard Hobson, Jockey: Sean Bowen
- 7. Imagine – SP: 6/1, Trainer: Harry Derham, Jockey: Paul O’Brien
- 8. Jetoile – SP: 66/1, Trainer: Ryan Potter, Jockey: Dylan Johnston
- 9. In Exscelsis Deo – SP: 8/1, Trainer: Harry Fry, Jockey: Bryan Carver
- 10. Lets Go Champ – SP: 15/2, Trainer: Henry De Bromhead, Jockey: Mike O’Connor
- 11. Hartur d’Arc – SP: 33/1, Trainer: Gavin Cromwell, Jockey: Jonathan Burke
- 12. Madara – SP: 16/1, Trainer: Dan Skelton, Jockey: Tristan Durrell
- 13. Il Ridoto – SP: 10/1, Trainer: Paul Nicholls, Jockey: Freddie Gingell
- 14. Straw Fan Jack – SP: 40/1, Trainer: Sheila Lewis, Jockey: Sean Houlihan
- 15. Weveallbeencaught – SP: 20/1, Trainer: Christian Williams, Jockey: Jack Tudor
Non-Runners
All ran