From Gold Cup to Bowl: how those who ran well at Cheltenham fared at Aintree

Betway Bowl favourite Might Bite is rated 6lb superior to his rivals and, on the figures, arrives at Aintree having put up a career-best effort when finishing runner-up in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. That is the best form on offer, but running well in the Gold Cup has not always been a pointer to success at Aintree.

In the past ten years 34 horses who ran in the Cheltenham Gold Cup have contested the Bowl. Five have won and 17 have finished in the first three.

However, during that period, none of the seven horses who won or finished placed in the Gold Cup and turned up at Aintree managed to land the Bowl.

There have been some high-profile reverses, including the likes of Kauto Star (runner-up in 2008 at 4-7), Imperial Commander (struggling when unseated in 2010 at 11-8) and Denman (fifth in 2011 at 5-4).

Watch: Might Bite finish a brave second to Native River in an attritional Gold Cup

Some horses – such as galloping types like Imperial Commander and Denman – will have found the sharper test at Aintree unsuitable, which may have contributed to below-par performances.

But, while no hard and fast conclusions can be drawn from such a small sample size, there might be some merit in the theory that horses who ran up to their best at Cheltenham struggle to back up the big effort. Whereas those who were not involved at the business end – and were therefore not subject to such a hard race – are not disadvantaged to the same extent.

Each horse's constitution is different – and there is an extra week between the two festivals this year which can only help – but perhaps Might Bite faces a stiffer task than odds of 4-6 imply.

How the Betway Bowl winners prepped

2017 Tea For Two – UR at second in Gold Cup
2016 Cue Card – fell three out in Gold Cup
2015 Silviniaco Conti – seventh in Gold Cup
2014 Silviniaco Conti – fourth in Gold Cup
2013 First Lieutenant – second in Ryanair
2012 Follow The Plan – fourth in 2m2f handicap chase at Gowran
2011 Nacarat – third in Racing Post Chase
2010 What A Friend – won the Lexus Chase
2009 Madison Du Berlais –eighth in Gold Cup
2008 Our Vic – won the Ryanair

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