Cheltenham Gold Cup

Cheltenham - Friday 13th March 

With the King George and the Lexus now done and dusted, it seems like an appropriate time to dip a toe into the Gold Cup market…

After a comfortable win in the King George, it is understandable that Silviniaco Conti is now a short priced favourite for the Gold Cup – but a best price of 3/1 about a horse who faltered when faced with the Cheltenham hill 12 months ago, makes limited appeal…

Of far more interest, is the horse who chased him home in the King George – Dynaste.

The question mark over him has always been his ability to stay the Gold Cup trip – but he powered up the hill when winning last seasons Ryanair chase – and if you watch the finish of the King George again, you will see that having been caught flat footed when the pace quickened early in the home straight, he is actually closing on Silviniaco Conti after the last.

In fairness, he was still 4 length shy of the winner at the line – but that kind of margin can be easily over-turned, up the Cheltenham hill.

Ofcourse the biggest concern with Dynaste, is that connections opt to try and retain their Ryanair crown

However that prize is nowhere near as Prestigious (or valuable !) as the Gold Cup pot –and with a horse who should be at his peak in March, it is likely to be this time round or never…

I’ll make him a win only tip – and to a minimum stake – because of the doubts.

And it is highly likely that I will add to this position before the big day.
But as an opening gambit in the race, I think Dynaste is a fair call…

0.25pt win Dynaste 33/1 (Paddy Power, 25/1 Boylesports, Betfair SB)