Paddy Power Gold Cup 2023 Ante-Post Tips: Skelton to claim Cheltenham prize with classy performer
Paddy Power Gold Cup, which is one of the early season highlights on the National Hunt calendar. The showpiece event takes place on Saturday 19th November at Cheltenham racecourse and our man Steve Chambers has taken a look at the Paddy Power Gold Cup Runners. Here he picks out his best ante-post bet for the contest...
Hugely progressive last season for Paul Nicholls, Stage Star produced a stunning display to win the Turners Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March and the seven-year-old could return to the scene of his biggest success on November 19 as one of the prominent figures in the betting for the 2023 Paddy Power Gold Cup. Nicholls has saddled the likes of Al Ferof and Caid Du Berlais to victory in this race and the Ditcheat handler could send Stage Star back to Cheltenham's November meeting for this event and he would have to be considered a leading player. Likely to be targeted at the Ryanair Chase for the 2024 festival, Stage Star failed to follow up in the Manifesto Novices' Chase at Aintree a few weeks after his Turners success, but he can be excused that run and there's no shock to see him sitting towards the head of a wide open betting market.
Dan Skelton is yet to train the winner of this event, but he could have a really strong team heading to Prestbury Park and the first of those to note is Unexpected Party, who has been a real model of consistency. Fifth in the Turners in March, the eight-year-old showed he had improved for another summer on his back when downing Knappers Hill at Chepstow recently/ With race fitness on his side, he is one that looks tailor-made for this sort of event.
My Drogo could be the second shot fired by the Skelton gun and he was last seen beating Torn And Frayed in a novice chase at Cheltenham in 2021. Having had over 700 days off the track, My Drogo is well and truly on a comeback mission, but he's hugely exciting and if he does take his chance then is certainly one of the most intriguing runners. Another Skelton-trained runner and arguably the most attractive punting option is the free-running mare GALIA DES LITEAUX, who is available at double-figured odds at the time of writing.
A fine winner of the Grade 2 Hampton Novices' Chase at Warwick in January, she wasn't disgraced when fifth in the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase over three miles in March, while she was fourth in the Mildmay at Aintree over the same distance. Sure to be up with the pace from the outset, the classy jumper could well get a few of these out of their comfort zone and the step back in trip to 2m 4f 44y could really see her at her best and if Galia Des Liteaux does line up here then she is one to watch.
Pulled up in the Plate Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March, Jamie Snowden's Datsalrightgino bounced back to form with aplomb when winning the Grade 2 novices' chase at Ayr's Grand National meeting the following month, but while he's likely to improve again he could struggle with the hustle and bustle of this contest.
On the contrary, Richard Hobson's Fugitif is one that will thrive in this challenge. The eight-year-old was second in a competitive handicap chase at Cheltenham on Festival Trials Day and returned six weeks later to finish a brilliant runner-up in the Plate. Outclassed in the Melling Chase at Aintree, Fugitif will return to the handicap sphere this season and is certainly one that has to be a huge player here, as he has shown he can deliver the goods in this sort of event.
Hitman has been a regular in Graded events over the last couple of seasons for the Paul Nicholls stable, but has often had to settle for minor honours. He is a fascinating entry for this race and has to be one given the utmost respect if lining up, while the likes of his stablemate Il Ridoto, who is a regular in these Cheltenham events, Final Orders and Stolen Silver add huge depth to a race that can go the way of the Skelton yard.
