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

Saturday's big race is the newly named Racing Post Gold Cup at Cheltenham. The long-established feature has been won by some of jump racing's greats including Flyingbolt and Pendil, as well as popular performers such as Fondmort, Exotic Dancer, Poquelin and Frodon, with the last two having taken the prize twice. Twenty-one stood their ground at Monday's confirmation stage, so how does the market shape up for the race at this point?

1.50 Cheltenham Saturday: Racing Post Gold Cup racecard and betting

The favourite

Lalor

Odds: 4-1 generally

A leading fancy following his solid third on his comeback in the Paddy Power Gold Cup, Paul Nicholls' recent recruit has been aimed at this contest ever since and will bid to give his trainer a sixth win in the race.

The nine-year-old caught the eye on his first effort for the Ditcheat trainer when beaten only two and a quarter lengths behind Midnight Shadow and it is easy to see why he is so well fancied, with Nicholls expecting the stiffer track and possibility of slower ground being "massive pluses" for him.

He was made 4-1 outright favourite with Betfair and Paddy Power once confirmations were revealed on Monday, although 5-1 is available elsewhere.

Leading contenders

Silver Hallmark

Odds: 6-1 generally

One of the most unexposed in the field after only three runs over fences, the Fergal O'Brien-trained seven-year-old won a Grade 2 novice chase at Haydock last season and started this campaign with a well-held fourth in the Colin Parker Memorial Chase at Carlisle behind subsequent Ladbrokes Trophy second Fiddlerontheroof.

While he is as big as 8-1 with bet365, he is the general second favourite at 6-1 behind market leader Lalor.

Dostal Phil

Odds: 6-1 generally

The eight-year-old, who has a solitary chase success to his name, has been well supported following his respectable fourth in the Paddy Power Gold Cup.

He finished one place behind Lalor there but has been raised only 1lb for that run and Philip Hobbs has previous form in this race, having struck with Monkerhostin in 2004 and Village Vic in 2015.

Alnadam

Odds: 7-1 generally

The Dan Skelton-trained eight-year-old was bitterly disappointing when 24 lengths behind Bravemansgame at Haydock on his seasonal return but the vibes seem to be strong that he can bounce back to his best here.

He is one of four remaining entries in the race for Skelton but could be his leading contender based on his form when storming to a Sandown handicap chase win by five and a half lengths in February.

Other notable fancies

Noble Yeats

Odds: 8-1 generally

Having scored his sole win over fences when beating Drinmore second Gabynako at Galway in October, he hasn't progressed since. He represents shrewd trainer Emmet Mullins, who landed a course-and-distance handicap chase at the Cheltenham Festival with The Shunter last season.

Midnight Shadow

Odds: 9-1 generally

Last month's Paddy Power Gold Cup winner, having overcome a final-fence error to hold off the challenge of Protektorat, bids to become the first since Exotic Dancer in 2006 to follow up in this race in the same season, although he has to contend with a 7lb rise.

Coole Cody

Odds: 10-1 generally

Last season's Paddy Power winner had every chance of a repeat last month before falling two fences from home. He races off the same mark of 143 as he did when a well-beaten sixth in this race last year and is generally consistent in big-race handicaps.

Fusil Raffles

Odds: 10-1 generally

A fortuitous winner of the Charlie Hall Chase last time when left in front following Shan Blue's demise, he has not raced in handicap company before. He brings class to the table, having beaten Chantry House in a course-and-distance novice chase on this card last year before finishing runner-up to that stablemate in the Grade 1 Marsh Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Dashel Drasher

Odds: 20-1 generally

The topweight is an intriguing big-priced runner given he is the most recent Grade 1 winner in the field, having won the Ascot Chase last season. He was a well-held third on his reappearance at Ascot and has to shoulder 11st 12lb but will be popular at each-way prices.

*Prices correct as of 8pm on Monday, December 6

Racing Post Gold Cup betting

Ladbrokes: 5-1 Lalor, 6 Dostal Phil, 7 Alnadam, Silver Hallmark, 8 Coole Cody, Midnight Shadow, Noble Yeats, 10 Fusil Raffles, 14 bar

Coming up on Friday: 2021 Racing Post Gold Cup at Cheltenham: the runners, the odds, the verdict

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