Cheltenham Gold Cup contenders: Key contenders

John Ingles provides the case for and against the three market leaders for the Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival – A Plus Tard, Galvin and Minella Indo.

A Plus Tard won the Betfair Chase at Haydock. He beat Peter Marsh winner Royale Pagaille by 22 lengths.

A Plus Tard was odds-on to win the Savills Chase for the second year running after his Haydock victory. He was unable to hold off the late challenge of Galvin who got up to won by a short head. A Plus tard needs to turn the tables on both of his main rivals to take the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Galvin has won seven of his eight starts since the beginning of last term. Galvin finished second in the novices’ handicap at the 2020 Festival and won the National Hunt Novices' Chase last year.

Galvin is a strong stayer but he would be vulnerable if a very steadily-run race put the emphasis on speed.

Minella Indo returns in defence of his Gold Cup title. Minella won the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival in 2019 and finished second to Champ in the RSA Insurance Novices’ Chase in 2020.

Minella Indo has fallen short of his Gold Cup-winning form so far this season. Minella finished third to Frodon and a place behind Galvin in the Champion Chase at Down Royal.