Which Gold Cup contender has the edge on their rivals in a wide-open year?

The key trials for the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup have been run, yet there is a distinctly open feel to the festival's feature contest. The betting tells a similar story, with eight contenders at 12-1 or shorter, and here we take a look at the pros and cons of the market leaders

Al Boum Photo

Kauto Star and Best Mate were the last horses to win the Gold Cup on more than one occasion but there is plenty to recommend last year's winner Al Boum Photo following up.

Like Kauto Star and Best Mate, he landed his first Gold Cup at the age of seven and this season has completely revolved around defending his crown on March 13.

Lightly raced with seven wins from 15 runs, his sole outing since being beaten by Kemboy at Punchestown last May came when he made a successful return in the Savills New Year's Day Chase at Tramore, the same race he previously used as a stepping stone to Gold Cup success.

He goes to Cheltenham fresh and has already proved himself over course and distance. On those facts alone, he is the one to beat.

Best Gold Cup odds: 4-1
Rating out of ten: nine

Santini

Perhaps it is down to his slightly idle running style that Santini seems to split opinion like few other staying chasers. Yet he has a priceless knack of winning, often without giving himself a hard time in the process.

Santini: has won both starts this seasonCredit: Alan Crowhurst

He would come more from the Native River, Bobs Worth and Synchronised school of stayers who could go for four miles rather than a speedier Sizing John or Kauto Star, but that is no bad thing where the Gold Cup is concerned.

His latest win against Bristol De Mai at Cheltenham last month promoted his handicap mark into the 170s for the first time, yet the feeling remains that he has still not shown us everything.

Could he lose his position early in a frantic Gold Cup? Perhaps, but if he stays in contention, few will be stronger than him at the finish.

Best Gold Cup odds: 5-1
Rating out of ten: seven

Delta Work

Gordon Elliott won his only Gold Cup with Don Cossack in 2016 and every time you hear him talk about Delta Work, it is obvious that this is the horse he believes can give him a second.

In his second season over fences the seven-year-old has certainly matured, beating established staying chasers at Leopardstown in both the Savills and Irish Gold Cup.

Delta Work: won the Irish Gold Cup at the Dublin Racing FestivalCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

There is nothing flashy about him, either in looks or running style, but he has learned how to win and there is something inevitable about him appearing from seemingly nowhere between the last two fences.

He was a beaten favourite in last year's RSA Chase but was not far behind Topofthegame and Santini on that occasion, and he looks for all the world like he will stay the extra distance of the Gold Cup.

Best Gold Cup odds: 6-1
Rating out of ten: eight

Lostintranslation

Along with Defi Du Seuil, Lostintranslation was the star turn in the the novice chase division last term, yet he only raced at three miles or further for the first time when handing a six-length drubbing to RSA Chase winner Topofthegame at Aintree.

He again highlighted that an extreme test of stamina brings the best out of him when beating Haydock specialist Bristol De Mai in Betfair Chase over 3m1½f in November, with a performance that screamed future Gold Cup winner.

Lostintranslation: will bid to bounce back from his King George flop at CheltenhamCredit: Edward Whitaker

He did not look the same horse when beaten a long way out in the King George last time and that is clearly a concern for supporters but he has had a wind operation since and, while Kempton's biggest race can be a fine guide to the Gold Cup, it is fundamentally a very different test.

Lostintranslation showed he can handle Cheltenham at last season's festival and the trip looks sure to suit. The question is can he reproduce his best having not run since Kempton and his subsequent wind op?

Best Gold Cup odds: 7-1
Rating out of ten: seven

Clan Des Obeaux

Paul Nicholls' star was ultra impressive in the King George, storming home by 21 lengths but the same question as last year remains: can he get home in a Gold Cup?

Clan Des Obeaux: demolished Cyrname and Lostintranslation in the King GeorgeCredit: Edward Whitaker

On last year's evidence, where he was beaten 11 lengths having already won his first King George, the answer is probably no but Nicholls knows staying chasers better than anyone, and he has certainly not given up hope.

He has also tweaked the horse's prep, choosing not to take in a run between the King George and Gold Cup like last year. Nicholls describes him as being "another year stronger" which can only help at Cheltenham.

On his latest King George performance he is a massive player but on last year's evidence there is a level of risk attached with supporting him.

Best Gold Cup odds: 9-1
Rating out of ten: seven

Kemboy

If you are a fan of Al Boum Photo, you have to be a fan of Kemboy as the Willie Mullins-trained stablemates have incredibly similar profiles.

Both rated 175 and both high-class staying chasers, a Gold Cup win for either this year would hardly be the shock of the century.
Kemboy defeated Al Boum Photo in a humdinger at Punchestown last May and there was no fluke about it.

He may have been beaten by Delta Work on both runs this season but he has been closing the gap and, like his stablemate, is being prepared with just one race in mind.

Kemboy (left) has been beaten by Delta Work on both starts this seasonCredit: Alain Barr

The main doubt about Kemboy surrounds his form at Cheltenham, where he is yet to win having run three times. He failed to get beyond the first fence when unseating David Mullins in last year's Gold Cup.

His Cheltenham record has to cause concern, yet there is little doubt he has the class to win.

Best Gold Cup odds: 9-1
Rating out of ten: eight

Native River

History might be against Native River, with only the mighty Kauto Star good enough to regain his Gold Cup crown, but stranger things have happened and the 2018 hero appears to have his swagger back this season.

He was relentless when winning the race two years ago, putting his rivals to the sword from the word go with some huge leaps and bold front-running tactics.

There were signs, unsurprisingly, that race had left a mark last season with three defeats but both his starts in this campaign have been winning ones and he certainly seems to be relishing his racing again.

Native River: won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2018Credit: Mark Cranham

More than 20 years have passed since a ten-year-old won the race and it has become a contest dominated by younger horses in recent times, but they will have to come past Native River and that is not an easy thing to do.

One or two may manage it but he looks an outstanding each-way play.

Best Gold Cup odds: 12-1
Rating out of ten: eight

Presenting Percy

What a difference a year makes. Presenting Percy was sent of the 100-30 favourite for last year's Gold Cup, yet looks set to go off at a double-figure price this time having finished lame and well beaten in 2019, and failing to score in three subsequent starts since.

Admittedly he has not been disgraced in those three runs but he has not seemed like the horse who won at consecutive Cheltenham Festivals prior to last year's flop either.

Presenting Percy: has not won over fences since landing the RSA Chase in 2018Credit: Michael Steele (Getty Images)

It is hard to see him turning things around with Delta Work, who has beaten him by four lengths or more on his last two starts, but he does love Cheltenham and remains an intriguing candidate, even if last year may have been the best chance he will get to win a Gold Cup.

Best Gold Cup odds: 12-1
Rating out of ten: six

View the Cheltenham Gold Cup card here

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