Who wins the Paddy Power Gold Cup? Assessing the key contenders for the big race

Saturday's Paddy Power Gold Cup (2.20 Cheltenham) is the big race of the weekend, with French Dynamite the favourite to provide Ireland with a rare win in the prestigious handicap chase. Here we assess his claims, along with four other leading contenders.

French Dynamite

Form 161-31

Strengths The ante-post favourite was a Grade 3 winner during his novice chase campaign before finishing his season with a good third at the Punchestown festival. He returned with a three-length win over hurdles at Thurles last month.

Weaknesses His credentials as being well handicapped for this are strong, but the big concern is Ireland's shocking record in the race, having won it just once this century with Tranquil Sea in 2009.

Odds 4-1

What they say

Mouse Morris, trainer (after his win at Thurles): "You couldn't fault that performance. He's hard enough to place because he might just be a bit short of a Graded horse, so it might be a handicap. He'll go back over fences and I think he'll go up in trip by the end of the season."

Ga Law

Form 1132/3

Strengths A Grade 2-winning chaser during his novice campaign and returned from a 603-day layoff when a fine third, beaten a length and a half, in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree last month.

Weaknesses Always a risk that the 'bounce' factor could play its hand when coming back from such a long absence.

Odds 7-1

What they say

Jamie Snowden, trainer: "He took Aintree well and the plan was always a prep and then the Paddy Power. I was hoping to use a race at Market Rasen we won with Kiltealy Briggs the week before, but the ground was a bit lively. It would have been better to have that extra week, but he's not missed a beat since."

Stolen Silver

Form 24341-

Strengths Has been in fine form since switching to Sam Thomas's care last year and ended last season with a wide-margin win in a Grade 2 limited handicap on Cheltenham's New course in April.

Weaknesses Competes off a lofty mark of 150, having been hiked up 7lb by the handicapper for his heroics at the track last term. Was also well held by some reopposing rivals at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Odds 7-1

Il Ridoto

Form 1P383

Strengths An easy winner of a competitive handicap chase at Newbury a year ago and rediscovered his form when third in a Grade 2 novice chase at Ayr on Scottish Grand National day.

Weaknesses Did not seem to improve on his Newbury win and disappointed on his sole run at Cheltenham when a 31-length eighth in the Grand Annual at the festival.

Odds 10-1

What they say

Paul Nicholls, trainer (in his Racing Post stable tour): "He needs to be held up in a fast-run race over two or two and a half miles and is the type to go well in a big handicap when they go hard up front and he can come late. The Paddy Power Gold Cup looks ideal and Cheltenham will be his first run. He's had a breathing operation over the summer."

Midnight River

Form 71P3-1

Strengths Remains unexposed over fences and put up a stunning performance on his handicap chase bow when winning easily by 25 lengths at Stratford late last month.

Weaknesses His form was hit and miss during his novice chase campaign last season and will have to defy a career-high mark of 145 if he is to win.

Odds 10-1

What they say

Dan Skelton, trainer: "It would need to rain and rain for this horse to run but we've always held him in high regard. He was always going to be a horse who stepped forward and I was happy to see what I've been seeing at home when he won at Stratford last month. If it didn't rain enough for the Paddy Power, we'd wait for the December Gold Cup at Cheltenham. This is a good horse and it wouldn't surprise me if he took a leap to Grade 2 level [this season]."

Other contenders

Editeur Du Gite thrives around Cheltenham, winning two of his four starts at the track, but is unproven at this trip, while Happygolucky is a high-class handicapper but has to defy a lengthy absence if he lines up. Topweight Mister Fisher won another Grade 2 last year, but pulled up in this in 2020, while Coole Cody, the winner that day, could be dangerous given his fantastic Cheltenham record.

Paddy Power Gold Cup (2.20 Cheltenham, Saturday)

Paddy Power: 4 French Dynamite, 7 Ga Law, Stolen Silver, 10 Il Ridoto, Midnight River, 12 Editeur De Gite, Shakem Up'Arry, Nassalam, Coole Cody, 14 bar

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