2021 Racing Post Gold Cup: the runners, the odds, the verdict

Saturday's Racing Post Gold Cup (1.50) at Cheltenham brings together some familiar names and seasoned handicappers. Lalor, the ante-post favourite, bids to improve on his second start for champion trainer Paul Nicholls but he faces some useful opposition here, including the well-fancied Silver Hallmark and Paddy Power fourth Dostal Phil. Who will land the big race?

1.50 Cheltenham Saturday: Racing Post Gold Cup racecard and betting

1 Cepage

Has contested this race for the last three years (form figures read 24P); on a tough mark

Trainer: Venetia Williams
Jockey: Charlie Deutsch
Odds: 16-1

2 Midnight Shadow

Won the Paddy Power here last month; second in this race last year; should go well again

Trainer: Sue Smith
Jockey: Ryan Mania
Odds: 8-1

3 Fusil Raffles

Fortunate winner of the Charlie Hall; showed good form as a novice chaser here last term

Trainer: Nicky Henderson
Jockey: Daryl Jacob
Odds: 9-1

4 Lalor

Finished third in the Paddy Power here on debut for Paul Nicholls; leading player

Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Jockey: Harry Cobden
Odds: 9-2 favourite

5 Silver Hallmark

Lightly raced seven-year-old who has a solid chase record thus far; enters calculations

Trainer: Fergal O'Brien
Jockey: Nico de Boinville
Odds: 6-1

6 Zanza

Stayed on from a difficult position in the Paddy Power last time; possibilities

Trainer: Philip Hobbs
Jockey: Tom O'Brien
Odds: 11-1

7 Dostal Phil

Eyecatching fourth in the Paddy Power; still unexposed over 2m4f; commands respect

Trainer: Philip Hobbs
Jockey: Aidan Coleman
Odds: 7-1

8 Francky Du Berlais

Landed the Summer Plate at Market Rasen; not in the same form since returning from a break

Trainer: Peter Bowen
Jockey: Sean Bowen
Odds: 50-1

9 Siruh Du Lac

4-4 in the 2018-19 campaign; subsequent form figures read PFU7; risky

Trainer: David Pipe
Jockey: Tom Scudamore
Odds: 16-1

10 Coole Cody

Likely player on his Paddy Power form (2020-21) but was below par in this race last year

Trainer: Evan Williams
Jockey: Adam Wedge
Odds: 9-1

11 Deyrann De Carjac

Behind several of these rivals in major handicap here last month; opposed

Trainer: Alan King
Jockey: Brendan Powell
Odds: 33-1

12 Farinet

Won at Sandown (second British start) when last seen and looks capable of further progress

Trainer: Venetia Williams
Jockey: Rachael Blackmore
Odds: 8-1

13 Joke Dancer

NON-RUNNER

Trainer: Sue Smith
Jockey: Sean Quinlan
Odds: 40-1

14 Beakstown

0-5 as a chaser but was a Grade 2 winner over hurdles and looks well treated

Trainer: Dan Skelton
Jockey: Harry Skelton
Odds: 7-1

15 Topofthecotswolds

Unseated early last time; more exposed than some of these rivals; stiff assignment

Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies
Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Odds: 33-1

The verdict

The vote goes to Dostal Phil, who shaped well in the Paddy Power. His stablemate Zanza is second choice.

With such a competitive field, get the best prices and best each-way terms for the Racing Post Gold Cup on our free app. Switch between bookmakers in the accounts tab, log in and place your bets.

If you want more on the Racing Post Gold Cup:

2021 Racing Post Gold Cup: why this horse can win Saturday's big race

Racing Post Gold Cup: who heads the betting for Saturday's big race?

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