2016 Gold Cup

[Istabraq]

Paddy Power trimmed the front three today, Djakadam into 3s, Don Cossack into 4s and Don Poli into 5s.
Never quite know whether this is some Irish loyalty gimmick because they've pushed Cue Card out to 7s.
I have broken a personal rule and backed Cue Card without the NRNB insurance....

[stephensmith84]

There's a long road to go in the Gold Cup market, but I'd hate to think that we'll be robbed of Vautour on the Friday afternoon.

In his King George preview, Ruby said that even if Vautour was beaten a neck, you couldn't then say he didn't stay.

Vautour's a proven spring horse who can go on any ground. The line-up looks exciting, especially after the Synchronised, Bobs Worth & Lord Windermere years, but Vautour may even beat them all senseless.

[Old Vic]

Paddy Power trimmed the front three today, Djakadam into 3s, Don Cossack into 4s and Don Poli into 5s.
Never quite know whether this is some Irish loyalty gimmick because they've pushed Cue Card out to 7s.
I have broken a personal rule and backed Cue Card without the NRNB insurance....

Might be going NRNB ?

[MrMcGoldrick]

Willie Mullins apparently still has the Gold cup as the target for Vautour, so that must be boost for all those with AP tickets in the race, plenty of time to change their mind but at this stage they are obviously training him as a stayer

[Yeehaa]

Asked if he would run both Vautour and the favourite, Djakadam, who is in the same ownership, in the Festival’s highlight, Mullins replied: “We could, you know. If you’ve a Gold Cup horse … I haven’t been lucky enough to win one, so I’ll try and take all I can.

“They’ll all have another run, I imagine, before the Festival. We’ll see what’s there. I’ve no doubt our fella’s way better at Cheltenham than he is anywhere else. Every year, he’s improved his form by about a stone from the middle of winter to March.”

[iainmcf]

Ruby has spoken on Vautour King George run...I think he did stay as a couple of strides after the line he was back in front.Whether he'll get 3 1/4 I dont think you can answer that until you try it.....

[MrMcGoldrick]

Ruby has spoken on Vautour King George run...I think he did stay as a couple of strides after the line he was back in front.Whether he'll get 3 1/4 I dont think you can answer that until you try it.....

ye I saw that quote, and Willie has said they are training him for the race so maybe that's where he'll turn up. Just a thought, what will happen nearer the time if they do run him in the Gold cup and Ruby picks Djakadam, or better still get a shot of Ruby's face as Vautour runs out of steam and the Paul Townend ridden Djakadam outstays him up the hill. Just playing devils advocate there though, if they run him in the Gold cup I hope he wins, it will just be a shame if they find out in the race that he doesn't stay

[mayo]

I watched the King George again and think he stayed OK. Don Cossack seems to have been forgiven more than vautour and I am not sure why. It looked a tired fall in my view. Ruby will decide where Vautour runs. Ricci wants him on as many of his as possible.

[iainmcf]

I think you have to find out if Vautour stays just like some great horses in the past that gave it a go.Dessie done it, Florida Pearl never stayed, Best Mate beat in King George then won 3 Gold Cups, One Man failed to stay but one thing in common they all tried the distance.I'd rather see Vautour try it.We all know this is probably the classiest horse in training.Lets see what this horse can do at a track where he has produced two mind blowing runs.

[Yeehaa]

O'FAOLAINS BOY
9 b g Oscar - Lisa's Storm
Winner of six of his 12 starts. Winner of the 2014 RSA Chase at Cheltenham (3m 1/2f) when beating Smad Place a neck. Returned to winning form when beating Sausolito Sunrise 15 lengths in a Graduation Chase at Newbury (2m 7 1/2f) in December. Currently rated 156 over fences.
"The main aim is hopefully going to be the Cheltenham Gold Cup if he keeps progressing. I was very impressed with him at Newbury considering he held up on that ground after being off for a long long time. He has come out of it in great form and I would hope there would be a lot more improvement to come from him. He did have an entry in the Welsh National but I wouldn't run him on that ground with all that weight. He will go for the Cotswold Chase now at the end of the month."

[Old Vic]

Pricewise out Thursday. Quotes might give a few clues...

[Old Vic]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">2016 Cheltenham Gold Cup Entries <a href="https://t.co/19t7zAQXDV">pic.twitter.com/19t7zAQXDV</a></p>&mdash; Fat Jockey (@FatJockeyTips) <a href="https://twitter.com/FatJockeyTips/status/687267719830499332">January 13, 2016</a></blockquote>
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[Old Vic]

Wednesday, January 13, 2016 - Irish trainers are responsible for well over half of the 32 entries in the Grade One Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup, with Britain's richest non-handicap chase worth a record £575,000 and the highlight on the fourth and final day of The Festival, Friday, March 18.

Many of the 18 Irish-trained entries, a new record (previous highest 13), are housed with the country's champion Jump trainer Willie Mullins who is after a first victory in the extended three and a quarter mile championship contest. The County Carlow handler has eight horses in contention, headlined by the Susannah Ricci-owned duo of Djakadam, runner-up last year, and The Festival dual scorer Vautour.

RSA Chase hero Don Poli, one of nine entries for Michael O'Leary's Gigginstown House Stud, is also engaged by Mullins alongside fellow Grade One victors Sir Des Champs, Boston Bob and Valseur Lido. On His Own, runner-up to Lord Windermere (Jim Culloty) in the 2014 renewal, and Ballycasey complete the Mullins octet.

Don Cossack heads three entries for another Irish trainer Gordon Elliott who is yet to have a runner in the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup. The nine-year-old is the highest-rated chaser in training after Grade One triumphs at Aintree and Punchestown in the spring, but blotted his copybook when falling in the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day. Elliott has also entered exciting novice No More Heroes, and Roi Du Mee.

Noel Meade is doubly represented by dual Grade One scorer Road To Riches, who was beaten three and a half lengths into third last year, and RSA Chase third Wounded Warrior.

Road To Riches has not run since landing the Grade Two Clonmel Oil Chase in November, while Wounded Warrior last appeared when chasing home Valseur Lido in a Grade One contest at Punchestown in April.

Meade commented: "I could not be happier with Road To Riches. We had a bit of a blood disorder and snotty nose with him at Christmas, but all is well now and the plan is to go to Leopardstown for the Irish Gold Cup (February 6).

"I felt last year that we tried to put it up to Coneygree and then Djakadam came and got us as we faded on the run-in. I think Djakadam will improve because he was a young horse last year.

"I would be really happy if I could get Road To Riches to Cheltenham in the same condition as last year. He might even improve a little bit as well because he will be a fresher horse this time around. He'd had a long season going there last year.

"I'm not sure ground is a big factor with Road To Riches. He handles soft ground and goes on good ground. You would say the ground was a help to Coneygree last year and we know Djakadam goes very well on soft ground. Those are factors that might make a difference, but we will see.

"We have just had a few muscle problems with Wounded Warrior that have held him up. He will be entered in the Grand National, Irish National and plenty of other long distance races because he wants a trip.

"He is in the Gold Cup and we will see how things go. He is a huge horse that I have always liked a lot and I am hoping he will improve. Hopefully, we can keep him right and have a good end to the season."

Carlingford Lough (John Kiely), Gilgamboa (Enda Bolger), First Lieutenant (Mouse Morris) and Morning Assembly (Pat Fahy) complete the Irish entries.

Cue Card (Colin Tizzard) heads the home challenge after an excellent campaign that has seen the rejuvenated 10-year-old win the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby, the Betfair Chase at Haydock Park and the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton Park. The latter two victories have set him up for a tilt at the new £1-million bonus offered by Jockey Club Racecourses for any horse who can win the Betfair Chase, William Hill King George VI Chase and Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup this season.

Alan King has entered impressive Hennessy Gold Cup scorer Smad Place, while Saphir Du Rheu tops three entries for Britain's champion Jump trainer Paul Nicholls.

The only British-trained novice engaged is Scottish-based Seeyouatmidnight (Sandy Thomson) who produced an excellent round of jumping to win the Grade Two BetBright #realfansonly Novices' Chase at Cheltenham on New Year's Day. Coneygree became the first novice for 41 years to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2015.

Other notable names include Al Ferof (Dan Skelton), third to Cue Card on Boxing Day, 2014 RSA Chase victor O'Faolains Boy (Rebecca Curtis) and 2015 Crabbie's Grand National hero Many Clouds (Oliver Sherwood), who finished sixth last year.

[Old Vic]

Breakdown of Entries by Trainer

8 entries
Willie Mullins IRE – Ballycasey, Boston Bob, Djakadam, Don Poli, On His Own, Sir Des
Champs, Valseur Lido, Vautour

3 entries
Gordon Elliott IRE – Don Cossack, No More Heroes, Roi Du Mee
Paul Nicholls – Rocky Creek, Saphir Du Rheu, Virak

2 entries
Rebecca Curtis – Irish Cavalier, O’Faolains Boy
Noel Meade IRE – Road To Riches, Wounded Warrior

1 entry
Enda Bolger IRE – Gilgamboa
David Bridgwater – The Giant Bolster
Jim Culloty IRE – Lord Windermere
Pat Fahy IRE – Morning Assembly
Nicky Henderson – Triolo D’Alene
Philip Hobbs – Champagne West
John Kiely IRE – Carlingford Lough
Alan King – Smad Place
Mouse Morris IRE – First Lieutenant
Jonjo O’Neill - Holywell
Oliver Sherwood – Many Clouds
Dan Skelton – Al Ferof
Sandy Thomson – Seeyouatmidnight
Colin Tizzard – Cue Card

[Old Vic]

Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup entries with previous Festival form

Year Race Pos Jockey SP

Al Ferof (Dan Skelton)
2010 Weatherbys Champion Bumper 2nd Ruby Walsh 8/1
2011 Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle 1st Ruby Walsh 10/1
2012 Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase 4th Ruby Walsh 3/1
2014 Ryanair Chase 5th Daryl Jacob 5/1

Ballycasey (Willie Mullins IRE)
2014 RSA Chase 4th Ruby Walsh 13/2JF
2015 Ryanair Chase PU Ruby Walsh 22/1

Boston Bob (Willie Mullins IRE)
2012 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle 2nd Ruby Walsh 6/5f
2013 RSA Chase F Paul Townend 5/1
2014 Ryanair Chase 6th Ruby Walsh 8/1
2015 Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup 10th Paul Townend 33/1

Carlingford Lough (John Kiely IRE)
2014 RSA Chase 6th A P McCoy 7/1
2015 Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup 9th A P McCoy 14/1

Champagne West (Philip Hobbs)
2014 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle 4th Richard Johnson 14/1

Cue Card (Colin Tizzard)
2010 Weatherbys Champion Bumper 1st Joe Tizzard 40/1
2011 Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle 4th Joe Tizzard 7/4F
2012 Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase 2nd Joe Tizzard 13/2
2013 Ryanair Chase 1st Joe Tizzard 7/2

Djakadam (Willie Mullins IRE)
2014 JLT Novices' Chase F Paul Townend 14/1
2015 Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup 2nd Ruby Walsh 10/1

Don Cossack (Gordon Elliott IRE)
2014 RSA Chase F Bryan Cooper 11/1
2015 Ryanair Chase 3rd Bryan Cooper 5/2F

Don Poli (Willie Mullins IRE)
2014 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap H 1st Mikey Fogarty (3) 12/1
2015 RSA Chase 1st Bryan Cooper 13/8F

First Lieutenant (Mouse Morris IRE)
2011 Neptune Investment Management Novices' H 1st Davy Russell 7/1
2012 RSA Chase 2nd Davy Russell 9/2
2013 Ryanair Chase 2nd Bryan Cooper 2/1F

Gilgamboa (Enda Bolger IRE)
2014 Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle 13th A P McCoy 9/1

Holywell (Jonjo O’Neill)
2013 Pertemps Network Final 1st Richie McLernon 25/1
2014 Ultima Business Solutions Handicap Chase 1st Richie McLernon 10/1
2015 Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup 4th Richie McLernon 8/1

Irish Cavalier (Rebecca Curtis)
2015 Rewards4Racing Novices' Handicap Chase 1st Paul Townend 11/1

Lord Windermere (Jim Culloty IRE)
2013 RSA Chase 1st Davy Russell 8/1
2014 Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup 1st Davy Russell 20/1
2015 Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup PU Davy Russell 20/1

Many Clouds (Oliver Sherwood)
2012 Weatherbys Champion Bumper 9th Leighton Aspell 40/1
2014 RSA Chase BD Leighton Aspell 16/1
2015 Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup 6th Leighton Aspell 7/1

Morning Assembly (Pat Fahy IRE)
2014 RSA Chase 3rd Davy Russell 9/1

No More Heroes (Gordon Elliott IRE)
2015 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle 3rd Bryan Cooper 6/1

O’Faolains Boy (Rebecca Curtis)
2013 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle 4th Jason Maguire 16/1
2014 RSA Chase 1st Barry Geraghty 12/1

On His Own (Willie Mullins IRE)
2010 Weatherbys Champion Bumper 18th Denis O'Regan 40/1
2011 National Hunt Chase PU Mr Oliver Greenall 33/1
2014 Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup 2nd David Casey 16/1
2015 Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup 5th Mr Patrick Mullins 33/1

Road To Riches (Noel Meade IRE)
2015 Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup 3rd Bryan Cooper 8/1

Rocky Creek (Paul Nicholls)
2012 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle 8th Daryl Jacob 14/1

Saphir Du Rheu (Paul Nicholls)
2013 Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle 20th Ruby Walsh 6/1JF
2015 Ladbrokes World Hurdle 2nd Sam Twiston-Davies 5/1F

Seeyouatmidnight (Sandy Thomson)
2015 Ladbrokes World Hurdle 7th Bryan Hughes 16/1

Sir Des Champs (Willie Mullins IRE)
2011 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap H 1st Emmet Mullins (3) 9/2F
2012 JLT Novices' Chase 1st Davy Russell 3/1
2013 Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup 2nd A P McCoy 4/1

Smad Place (Alan King)
2011 JCB Triumph Hurdle 10th Robert Thornton 11/1
2012 Ladbrokes World Hurdle 3rd Robert Thornton 20/1
2013 Ladbrokes World Hurdle 3rd Wayne Hutchinson 9/1
2014 RSA Chase 2nd Robert Thornton 13/2JF
2015 Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup 8th Wayne Hutchinson 25/1

The Giant Bolster (David Bridgwater)
2010 Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle 6th Rodi Greene 200/1
2011 RSA Chase UR Rodi Greene 20/1
2012 Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup 2nd Tom Scudamore 50/1
2013 Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup 4th Tom Scudamore 16/1
2014 Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup 3rd Tom Scudamore 14/1
2015 Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup PU Tom Scudamore 33/1

Triolo D’Alene (Nicky Henderson)
2012 Rewards4Racing Novices' Handicap Chase 11th Barry Geraghty 7/1
2014 Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase 10th A P McCoy 10/1

Valseur Lido (Willie Mullins IRE)
2014 Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle 10th Bryan Cooper 16/1
2015 JLT Novices' Chase 3rd Bryan Cooper 9/2

Vautour (Willie Mullins IRE)
2014 Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle 1st Ruby Walsh 7/2JF
2015 JLT Novices' Chase 1st Ruby Walsh 6/4F

Virak (Paul Nicholls)
2014 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle 6th Jack Sherwood (6) 25/1

Wounded Warrior (Noel Meade IRE)
2015 RSA Chase 3rd Paul Carberry 12/1