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

Saturday's Paddy Power Gold Cup is shaping up to be another outstanding race with both experienced and progressive horses locking horns. Our experts highlight who they think will come out on top in the big race at Cheltenham.

2.15 Cheltenham Saturday: Paddy Power Gold Cup racecard and betting

Zanza

12-1 generally, win

Not a lot went right for Zanza last season but he has a good chance to land his first big one here.

Zanza has yet to add to his sole chase victory at Newbury last November, but he was travelling well when falling at the third-last behind Sky Pirate at this course in December and got no luck back here in the Grand Annual.

He was again going well in that contest but got badly hampered by a faller at the ninth and lost all chance. He was quickly pulled up after.

He was also hampered by a faller at the last when sixth in the Red Rum at Aintree on his final start and stayed on well despite jockey Micheal Nolan losing his irons. That was yet another solid but unlucky run.

Zanza warmed up for this with a staying-on third behind Eldorado Allen in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter and that should have put him spot on for the step up to 2m5f. The longer distance looks sure to bring improvement and he looks well handicapped off a mark of 144.
Graeme Rodway, deputy betting editor

Al Dancer

7-1 generally, win

Sam Thomas has taken charge of the Dai Walters-owned classy eight-year-old, but with regular pilot Sam Twiston-Davies in the saddle, the gelding can continue his love affair with Cheltenham. Five of his best nine RPRs have come at Prestbury Park including his third in this race last year.

That was off a 5lb higher mark and on soft ground, and it's worth noting that the two-time course winner is four from five when encountering the currently prevailing good to soft ground.

Al Dancer: makes his stable debut for Sam Thomas in the Paddy PowerCredit: Grossick Racing

Adding lustre to his chance is Al Dancer's record when fresh as since being beaten half a length on his bumper debut, Al Dancer has run four times after a break of 100 days or more and won on every single one of them.

These victories include a comfortable victory in the Betfair Hurdle, and when giving the now 160-rated Master Tommytucker 6lb and a near three length beating first time out last year.

In short everything is in place for a massive run.
Gary Savage, Saturday's Live Tipster

Paint The Dream

18-1 generally, each-way

It took him nine attempts to get off the mark over fences, but Paint The Dream has excelled since getting his head in front at Newbury three starts ago and he looks capable of winning a big prize.

He was dominant when landing that aforementioned handicap and although he was an afterthought for the Grade 1 Scilly Isles at Sandown on his next start, he acquitted himself well to finish third behind Sporting John and Shan Blue.

Back in a handicap on his seasonal return at Chepstow, he returned to winning ways with another wide-margin success. A five-pound rise looks very lenient, as he was galloping away empathically from the last.

He jumps and travels effortlessly for Connor Brace and the fact he stays further is a big positive, given how tough the finishes at Cheltenham can be. Fergal O’Brien is operating at a 30 per cent strike-rate at Cheltenham this season for a level-stakes profit of £22.33 and that seals the deal.
Owen Goulding, tipster

Simply The Betts

14-1 generally, each-way

Much has been made of Paul Nicholls' acquisition of Lalor, but the Andrew Brooks-owned pair of Simply The Betts and Saint Calvados are just as intriguing and the former has loads going for him on Saturday.

He only ran once last season, when sixth in this race partly as the result of mid-race mistakes. He finished his novice campaign on a sharp upward curve, winning two hot handicaps over the equivalent course and distance on the New course, and looked then like the sort of horse who could still win big handicaps off marks in the 150s.

Cheltenham Festival winner Simply The Betts is Topweight on his first start for Paul NichollsCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Readiness is a valid question, but Simply The Betts went well fresh for his old yard and has the style of racing to suit the track. In that regard, Bryony Frost is a perfect partner and it is not hard to foresee a big run from the joint topweight.
Keith Melrose, betting editor

Funky Dady

33-1 generally, each-way

This is not the strongest running. You only have to look at the market to see that, as one of the favourites, Lalor, hasn't even completed in his last two starts.

Caribean Boy could be the class horse lurking in the race, and he beat Fiddlerontheroof in what was a good time last year. However, I'm keen on seeking some value in a contest like this, and I don't understand why Irish raider Funky Dady is the outsider of the field.

He finished fourth in the Munster National last time behind Ontheropes, who is now one of the ante-post market leaders for the Ladbrokes Trophy. The second and third are good yardsticks, and Funky Dady is a progressive six-year-old.

His jumping's a bit iffy, but he's 40-1, and don't worry about the fact he's 5lb higher than his Irish mark. That's to be expected given the visitors' dominance over the last 12 months.
James Hill, tipster

Read more on Cheltenham:

Confirmed runners and riders for the 2021 Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham

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

Upping The Ante star Gavin Lynch joins the Racing Post roster for a weekly Saturday column throughout the jumps season. He'll offer a guide to the weekend action, highlight the horses and races to watch and share his punting wisdom. Read it every Saturday in the Racing Post or online from 4pm every Friday, exclusively for Members' Club subscribers. Sign up to Members' Club here for more top jumps season insight.