2021 Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham: the runners, the odds, the verdict

Cheltenham's November meeting is one of the early-season highlights of the jumps calendar, with the Paddy Power Gold Cup the main attraction on the Saturday of the fixture. A fiercely competitive handicap chase, those towards the bottom of the weights have a good recent record. Who will come out on top this season?

2.15 Cheltenham: Paddy Power Gold Cup racecard and betting

1 Simply The Betts

Excelled here two seasons ago; injury meant just one run last season for Harry Whittington.

Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Jockey: Bryony Frost
Odds: 16-1

2 Protektorat

Asserted in good style in Grade 1 novice race at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) in April.

Trainer: Dan Skelton
Jockey: Harry Skelton
Odds: 13-2

3 Aso

Most runs last term cast major doubts even though he is down to a good mark.

Trainer: Venetia Williams
Jockey: Charlie Deutsch
Odds: 40-1

4 Paint The Dream

It's hard to rule out one with such impressive wins on two of his last three starts.

Trainer: Fergal O'Brien
Jockey: Connor Brace
Odds: 16-1

5 Al Dancer

Good third when favourite in this last year off 5lb higher; has left Nigel Twiston-Davies.

Trainer: Sam Thomas
Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Odds: 6-1

6 Lalor

Well-in if back to his best form here; has left Kayley Woollacott and had wind surgery.

Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Jockey: Harry Cobden
Odds: 7-1

7 Caribean Boy

Last season's reappearance win appeared to promise much, which has not been delivered.

Trainer: Nicky Henderson
Jockey: Daryl Jacob
Odds: 16-1

8 Midnight Shadow

Only one bright spot last term but he made a satisfactory reappearance three weeks ago.

Trainer: Sue Smith
Jockey: Ryan Mania
Odds: 12-1

9 Spiritofthegames

Second or third in five of his seven major 2m4f handicaps here; second in this race 12 months ago.

Trainer: Dan Skelton
Jockey: Bridget Andrews
Odds: 25-1

10 Manofthemountain

Improvement is needed but he shaped well on return and won well here (2m4f, good) in April.

Trainer: Emma Lavelle
Jockey: Tom Bellamy
Odds: 20-1

11 Zanza

Little luck last term; good third in Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter on return; seen mostly at 2m.

Trainer: Philip Hobbs
Jockey: Tom O'Brien
Odds: 10-1

12 Dostal Phil

It is needed but he looks open to further improvement in this second season chasing.

Trainer: Philip Hobbs
Jockey: Aidan Coleman
Odds: 14-1

13 Coole Cody

Often front-runner, including when he won this race (soft) last year off 4lb lower.

Trainer: Evan Williams
Jockey: Adam Wedge
Odds: 16-1

14 Up The Straight

Did not shine here in April; impressive recent win was in three-runner Plumpton novice chase.

Trainer: Richard Rowe
Jockey: Tabitha Worsley (5)
Odds: 25-1

15 Belargus

Strong late on when winning in good style at Sandown on last two completed starts.

Trainer: Nick Gifford
Jockey: Niall Houlihan (5)
Odds: 33-1

16 Deyrann De Carjac

Lightly raced last two years; well handicapped if he reverted to his 2019 form over 2m4f.

Trainer: Alan King
Jockey: Tom Cannon
Odds: 33-1

17 Funky Dady

Kept on the go since June and has run with credit under Shane Mulcahy almost every time.

Trainer: Denis Hogan
Jockey: Shane Mulcahy (7)
Odds: 28-1

18 Galahad Quest

Upwardly mobile five-year-old; no shock if he's come on since his third at Wetherby 15 days ago.

Trainer: Nick Williams
Jockey: David Noonan
Odds: 10-1

19 Farinet

Best days ahead of him after just two British starts but all runs have been on soft-heavy.

Trainer: Venetia Williams
Jockey: Robbie Dunne
Odds: 25-1

20 Nietzsche

Two big runs over hurdles here; he also has a squeak judged on peak chase form.

Trainer: Brian Ellison
Jockey: Danny McMenamin
Odds: 18-1

The verdict

Preference is for Protektoratwho exuded class when he won his Grade 1 novice race at Aintree. Belargus may chase him home.

Read more on Cheltenham:

2021 Paddy Power Gold Cup: why this horse can win Saturday's big race

Sam Thomas living the dream as he aims to plunder Paddy Power with Al Dancer

The November meeting: early Cheltenham Festival clues at the home of jump racing

Win the ultimate Cheltenham Festival experience in the Racing Post Christmas Countdown. You and three friends could travel to the festival in style with helicopter transfers from your hotel. Simply place a bet on the Racing Post app this Friday to be entered into the prize draw, plus there are weekly prizes to be won. Find out the full details here.