Can Britain fight back? Our experts provide their 1-2-3 for the Gold Cup

Ben Hutton

1 Galvin
2 A Plus Tard
3 Melon

Galvin and A Plus Tard fought out the finish to the Grade 1 Savills Chase at Leopardstown in December and, although A Plus Tard may not have been at his very best, the winner Galvin earns the vote with the stiffer test of the Gold Cup in his favour. The Cheltenham Festival has often brought out the best in Melon and he could run into a place at a big price if the Gold Cup is his destination.

Paul Kealy

1 Protektorat
2 Galvin
3 Tornado Flyer

The vast majority of Gold Cup winners score on their first try in the race, and I make this between Protektorat and Galvin. As usual, price decided the order of selection with Protektorat, totally unexposed at 3m-plus but a Grade 1 winner over 2m4f, the pick. Galvin is feared, while Tornado Flyer can prove his King George win wasn’t a fluke.

Gold Cup entries and betting

Gavin Lynch

1Galvin
2 Minella Indo
3 Tornado Flyer

Plenty hold chances here and perhaps Galvin can show that he is classy enough to win. The Savills Chase was slowly run and he did well to prevail. This will be his first start on the New course and I think it will bring out the best in him, given he’s a strong stayer. If the ground ends up decent on day four of the meeting, it will only enhance his chances. Last year’s winner Minella Indo and King George scorer Tornado Flyer could give him most to think about.

Andrew Mount

1 Conflated
2 Minella Indo
3 Galvin

Conflated, who had previously seemed best when given a big-field/strong-pace scenario, has improved considerably since forcing tactics were adopted and he can prove his Irish Gold Cup win was no fluke. But for Champ’s last-gasp victory in the 2020 RSA Chase, last year’s winner Minella Indo would be bidding for his fourth straight Cheltenham Festival success and he looks the chief threat. Galvin got the better of A Plus Tard in the Savills Chase and is also respected.

Galvin: features in the Gold Cup predicted first three for each of our expertsCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Tom Park

1 A Plus Tard
2 Al Boum Photo
3 Galvin

I felt A Plus Tard was a tad unlucky in last year’s Gold Cup and can go one better this time around. His performance in the Betfair Chase was brilliant and, while he was slightly disappointing in the Savills Chase, Henry de Bromhead’s horses weren’t running well at the time.
Al Boum Photo, third in 2021, may run another gallant race in defeat as he goes in search of a third win in the race, while Galvin stays all day and looks certain to be involved in the finish.

Maddy Playle

1 Galvin
2 Minella Indo
3 Tornado Flyer

The Gold Cup looks as if it can go to the Irish again and Galvin, who won the National Hunt Chase at this meeting last year, rates their best chance. He was value for a wider winning margin in the Savills Chase when beating A Plus Tard, who might not fully stay up the Cheltenham hill. Surprise King George winner Tornado Flyer can pick up a few pieces late.

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