'Footpad will have no problem going up in trip and is really exciting'

Who’s your money on for the 2019 Gold Cup?

Bridget Andrews, jockey Might Bite looked the class horse through the race and if the ground came up better next year it would strengthen his chances. However, Native River is as tough as they come and if he turned up in the same form next year it would take a good one to get by him. It was brilliant to see Dickie [Johnson] win as he’s such a role model and great bloke to us all.

Harry Cobden, jockey I’ll say Native River. He’s only eight and I think he’d be all right on better ground as he’s looked like that before. I love the way he goes about his races. He’s bold from the front and is a hardy customer.

Andrew Griffiths, Betfred odds compiler Working on the assumption conditions won’t be remotely as gruelling, it has to be Might Bite. I was more impressed with his run in defeat behind Native River than anything he had previously produced. He proved himself the classiest staying chaser around and must be favourite to go one better in 2019.