Route to the Gold Cup: how the fancied runners will get to the festival

The Gold Cup has rarely looked as messy at such an advanced stage of the season. It is 4-1 the field and there are vastly fewer horses at single-figure prices (two) than there are questions that remain unanswered (two hundred).

As such it looks a market sure to experience a great upheaval in the coming weeks as the main contenders are ruled in by their final preps, others are ruled out through injury and potential dark horses emerge. Here we look at the races that will help shape the market.

Kinloch Brae Chase
Thurles, January 21

For a race downgraded to a Grade 3 last year and run over 2m4f, the Kinloch Brae has something of an impressive recent honour roll with Gold Cup heroes Don Cossack (twice) and Sizing John the last three winners. Willie Mullins has the race in mind for the wonderfully talented Killultagh Vic, who returned from a 714-day absence with a bloodless win over hurdles on New Year’s Eve, while Bachasson, a 13-length winner of a Tramore Listed race on New Year’s Day, could deputise if the race comes too soon. The Red Mills Chase at Gowran Park in February has also been mentioned as an option for Killultagh Vic.

Bristol De Mai: slams his rivals in Haydock's Grade 1 Betfair Chase under Daryl JacobCredit: Edward Whitaker

Cotswold Chase
Cheltenham, January 27

Looks set to provide a stronger steer towards the Gold Cup than in recent years with runaway Betfair Chase winner Bristol De Mai and 2015 Gold Cup winner and recent breathing op recipient Coneygreeset to clash. While both could wait for the Denman Chase at Newbury a fortnight later if they need more time – Kelso’s Ivan Straker Chase has also been mentioned for Bristol De Mai – one horse almost certain to run is Hennessy runner-up Whisper, with trainer Nicky Henderson keen to keep favourite Might Bite away from the track at which he has misbehaved most until the big day.

Irish Gold Cup
Leopardstown, February 4

Historically the Irish Gold Cup has been Ireland’s premier Gold Cup prep, with Jodami, Imperial Call, Florida Pearl and Beef Or Salmon claiming victory en route to carrying the nation’s hopes into the Cheltenham Festival – and last year Sizing John did the double. His stablemate Our Duke is set to represent the Jessica Harrington yard this time as he bids to put a disappointing seasonal debut behind him, while Willie Mullins is favouring Leopardstown over the Kinloch Brae Chase for dual Gold Cup runner-up Djakadam. Christmas Chase winner Road To Respectand Coney Island, who also has the Ascot Chase as an option after a fine return at that track just before Christmas, are others who could turn up. Last year’s fast-finishing Gold Cup runner-up Minella Roccoand Anibale Fly are other contenders for whom the Irish Gold Cup is under consideration.

Road To Respect: won the Christmas Chase at Leopardstown over ChristmasCredit: Patrick McCann

Denman Chase
Newbury, February 10

The Denman Chase has proved an ideal stepping stone in recent years with Kauto Star (2007), Denman (2008) and Coneygree (2015) using the race to apply the finishing touches to their successful Gold Cup preparations. The race has every chance of throwing up the winner again with Henderson suggesting that while he is “not fussed if he doesn’t have another run”, if Might Bite is to have another outing it will be here. Last year’s winner Native River – who went on to finish third in the Gold Cup but has not been seen on course since – also has the race on his agenda, while Paul Nicholls’ highly regarded youngster Clan Des Obeaux is another for whom this is the plan.

Ivan Straker Memorial Chase
Kelso, February 15

Holywell and Saphir Du Rheu are among the recent winners, and this has generally been a race for convincing connections of a lively outsider it is worth lining up in the Gold Cup. This year the race could take on more significance if Bristol De Maicomes here instead of Cheltenham or Newbury and hands another beating to Betfair Chase fourth and King George third Tea For Two, who is also due to run.

Coney Island: made an impressive return to the fray at AscotCredit: Mark Cranham

Ascot Chase
Ascot, February 17

Despite being staged over 2m5½f, the Ascot Chase has thrown up more than its fair share of festival horses. However, since the introduction of the Ryanair Chase, it has had less of a bearing on the Gold Cup than when Kauto Star won it in 2008 in preparation for his first defence of his festival crown. That said, two-time winner Cue Card is on course for this year’s race while Coney Island could skip the Irish Gold Cup and return to the scene of last month’s devastating nine-length demolition on his return from a layoff.

Straight to the festival

Several of the contenders will not be seen again until the third Friday in March with their prices set to fluctuate purely based on how well others get on. After a first career flop in the Christmas Chase Jessica Harrington has opted to get the defending Gold Cup champion Sizing John ready at home. He ran twice between the Christmas period and the festival last year so it is a very different route this time.

Sizing John: the 2017 Gold Cup hero will go straight to Cheltenham without another runCredit: Mark Cranham

Noel Meade's Diskowas going to prep in the Irish Gold Cup but a slight setback has ruled him out of that and if he is ready in time he will go straight to Cheltenham while King George runner-up Double Shuffle is still eligible for a graduation chase and trainer Tom George has suggested he would prefer a lower profile route to the festival if giving his charge another run. Blaklionwill have his prep run for the Grand National in the festival's blue riband event.

Other races from which a contender could emerge

There are several other races from which a dark horse could emerge. Bristol De Mai won last year's Peter Marsh Chase (Haydock, January 20), while the Thyestes Chase (Gowran Park, January 25) was won by Djakadam back in 2015 before he chased home Coneygree in the big one. The Red Mills Chase (Gowran Park, February 17) has been mentioned for Killultagh Vic, should he need more time than the Kinloch Brae allows, while the Bobbyjo Chase (Fairyhouse, February 24) has been mentioned for the rapidly improving Hennessy hero Total Recall.

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