Improving types capable of crashing Caspian Caviar party packed with old faces

1.50 Cheltenham
Caspian Caviar Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3) | 2m4½f | 4yo+ | ITV4/RTV

In last year's Caspian Caviar Gold Cup, the Paddy Power third narrowly defeated a rival who had been pulled up in the same race and been third in the Stable Plate at the festival. A year earlier, the Paddy Power one-two-three finished fourth, first and third in December. These are just the latest examples of how the major Cheltenham handicaps at around 2m4f often follow a rinse-and-repeat pattern.

This year's Paddy Power winner and third are among the major players in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup. The conventional wisdom is that, although their marks creep up, the challenge lessens as the season wears on.