2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup: the runners, the odds, the verdict

CHELTENHAM, ENGLAND - MARCH 13: Paul Townend riding Al Boum Photo celebrates winning the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1) (Class 1) at Cheltenham Racecourse on March 13, 2020 in Cheltenham, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Paul Townend: going for his third Cheltenham Gold Cup aboard Al Boum Photo on FridayCredit: Michael Steele (Getty Images)

Your guide to Friday's WellChild Cheltenham Gold Cup, the feature race on the final day of the Cheltenham Festival on Friday.

3.05 Cheltenham: WellChild Cheltenham Gold Cup card and betting

1 Al Boum Photo

Won the last two Gold Cups, has been trained beautifully and is a reliable proposition in a test that seems to suit perfectly.

Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Paul Townend
Odds: 5-2

2 A Plus Tard

High-class chaser over shorter trips who shone when stepped up to three miles last time and represents an all-conquering team.

Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
Jockey: Rachael Blackmore
Odds: 10-3

3 Aso

Smart chaser who was second in the 2019 Ryanair, but this looks a stiff task especially with doubts about his stamina.

Trainer: Venetia Williams
Jockey: Daryl Jacob
Odds: 200-1

4 Black Op

Drying ground might help this ten-year-old who was a Grade 1-winning novice hurdler, but has yet to hit those heights over fences.

Trainer: Tom George
Jockey: Tom Scudamore
Odds: 200-1

5 Champ

Mercurial sort who won last year's RSA in extraordinary fashion and jumped as well as ever in his warm-up race last time.

Trainer: Nicky Henderson
Jockey: Nico de Boinville
Odds: 6-1

6 Frodon

Surprise King George VI Chase hero who often goes under the radar, but knows where the net is and has won six of his 13 starts at Cheltenham.

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

7 Kemboy

Course record can be questioned and the nine-year-old has not fired in the last two Gold Cups, but he has loads of talent if putting his best foot forward.

Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Danny Mullins
Odds: 16-1

8 Lostintranslation

Third in the race 12 months ago, he has not built on that and has become a patchy performer. However, decent ground might assist another resurgence.

Trainer: Colin Tizzard
Jockey: Robbie Power
Odds: 28-1

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9 Minella Indo

Albert Bartlett winner in 2019 who was second to Champ last season. Latest two efforts raise question marks, but festival form is encouraging.

Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
Jockey: Jack Kennedy
Odds: 8-1

10 Native River

Race regular who was third in 2017, successful a year later and fourth two years ago. Hugely popular and victory would be memorable, but conditions are against him.

Trainer: Colin Tizzard
Jockey: Richard Johnson
Odds: 12-1

11 Royale Pagaille

Dangerous novice who has come of age this term and connections should be applauded for going for gold, but best efforts have been on desperate ground.

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

12 Santini

Near miss in this race last year and course form is good, so likely to produce a solid effort, but might find one or two rivals prove beyond him.

Trainer: Nicky Henderson
Jockey: Aidan Coleman
Odds: 11-1

The verdict

A race to savour, but Al Boum Photo's team have zoomed in on this since last year and he can join Cottage Rake, Arkle and Best Mate as three-time winners of jumping's best Grade 1.

Sign up to Sky Bet and get £20 in free bets when you place a £5 bet on the Gold Cup. Why not back our selection Al Boum Photo? First single & EW bet only. Odds of 1-1 or greater. 2x £/10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets are non withdrawable. No free bet expiry. Eligibility restrictions. Full T&Cs here. 18+