2016 Gold Cup

[Old Vic]

Record of trainers with entries in the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup (since 1994)
Year Pos Horse Jockey SP
Enda Bolger IRE – Gilgamboa
No previous runners
David Bridgwater – The Giant Bolster
2012 2nd The Giant Bolster Tom Scudamore 50/1
2013 4th The Giant Bolster Tom Scudamore 16/1
2014 3rd The Giant Bolster Tom Scudamore 14/1
2015 PU The Giant Bolster Tom Scudamore 33/1
Jim Culloty IRE – Lord Windermere
2014 1st Lord Windermere Davy Russell 20/1
2015 PU Lord Windermere Davy Russell 20/1
Rebecca Curtis – Irish Cavalier, O’Faolains Boy
2014 8th Teaforthree Nick Scholfield 33/1
Gordon Elliott IRE – Don Cossack, No More Heroes, Roi Du Mee
No previous runners
Pat Fahy IRE – Morning Assembly
1995 UR Nuaffe Shane O'Donovan 50/1
Nicky Henderson – Triolo D’Alene
2002 12th Bacchanal Mick Fitzgerald 6/1
2002 4th Marlborough Dean Gallagher 12/1
2003 11th Marlborough Mick Fitzgerald 20/1
2004 PU Irish Hussar Mick Fitzgerald 16/1
2009 7th Barbers Shop Barry Geraghty 10/1
2011 1st Long Run Mr Sam Waley-Cohen 7/2F
2012 3rd Long Run Mr Sam Waley-Cohen 7/4F
2012 4th Burton Port Barry Geraghty 8/1
2013 1st Bobs Worth Barry Geraghty 11/4F
2013 3rd Long Run Mr Sam Waley-Cohen 7/2
2014 5th Bobs Worth Barry Geraghty 6/4F
2014 10th Triolo D'Alene A P McCoy 10/1
2015 PU Bobs Worth Barry Geraghty 16/1
Philip Hobbs – Champagne West
2002 5th What's Up Boys Paul Flynn 33/1
2006 6th Monkerhostin Richard Johnson 13/2
2006 PU One Knight Paddy Brennan 20/1
2007 4th Monkerhostin Richard Johnson 25/1
2013 6th Captain Chris Richard Johnson 14/1
John Kiely IRE – Carlingford Lough
1996 7th King of The Gales Charlie Swan 50/1
2015 9th Carlingford Lough A P McCoy 14/1
Alan King – Smad Place
2000 PU Go Ballistic Tony Dobbin 16/1
2007 PU Halcon Genelardais Robert Thornton 25/1
2008 4th Halcon Genelardais Robert Thornton 16/1
2009 PU Halcon Genelardais Robert Thornton 40/1
2015 8th Smad Place Wayne Hutchinson 25/1
Noel Meade IRE – Road To Riches, Wounded Warrior
2003 3rd Harbour Pilot Paul Carberry 40/1
2004 3rd Harbour Pilot Paul Carberry 20/1
2008 7th Afistfullofdollars Paul Carberry 20/1
2011 7th Pandorama Paul Carberry 14/1
2015 3rd Road To Riches Bryan Cooper 8/1
Mouse Morris IRE – First Lieutenant
2002 9th Foxchapel King David Casey 12/1
2006 1st War Of Attrition Conor O'Dwyer 15/2
2011 PU China Rock Barry Geraghty 25/1
2012 8th China Rock Andrew Lynch 100/1
Willie Mullins IRE – Ballycasey, Boston Bob, Djakadam, Don Poli, On His Own, Sir Des Champs, Valseur Lido, Vautour
1999 3rd Florida Pearl Richard Dunwoody 5/2F
2000 2nd Florida Pearl Paul Carberry 9/2
11
2002 11th Florida Pearl Conor O'Dwyer 10/1
2002 6th Alexander Banquet Barry Geraghty 12/1
2004 8th Alexander Banquet Ruby Walsh 80/1
2006 2nd Hedgehunter Ruby Walsh 16/1
2010 5th Cooldine Paul Townend 10/1
2011 PU Kempes A P McCoy 9/1
2012 9th The Midnight Club Paul Townend 100/1
2013 2nd Sir Des Champs A P McCoy 4/1
2014 2nd On His Own David Casey 16/1
2015 2nd Djakadam Ruby Walsh 10/1
2015 5th On His Own Mr Patrick Mullins 33/1
2015 10th Boston Bob Paul Townend 33/1
Paul Nicholls – Rocky Creek, Saphir Du Rheu, Virak
1995 PU Deep Bramble Chris Maude 14/1
1998 CO See More Business Timmy Murphy 11/2
1999 1st See More Business Mick Fitzgerald 16/1
1999 4th Double Thriller Joe Tizzard 9/1
2000 4th See More Business Mick Fitzgerald 9/4F
2002 3rd See More Business Joe Tizzard 40/1
2002 PU Shotgun Willy Timmy Murphy 25/1
2003 4th Valley Henry Barry Geraghty 14/1
2003 8th See More Business Joe Tizzard 16/1
2005 4th Royal Auclair Christian Williams 40/1
2005 6th Strong Flow Ruby Walsh 5/1
2006 9th Royal Auclair Christian Williams 20/1
2006 16th Cornish Rebel Joe Tizzard 16/1
2007 1st Kauto Star Ruby Walsh 5/4F
2007 8th Neptune Collonges Liam Heard 50/1
2007 12th My Will Sam Thomas 16/1
2008 1st Denman Sam Thomas 9/4
2008 2nd Kauto Star Ruby Walsh 10/11F
2008 3rd Neptune Collonges Mick Fitzgerald 25/1
2009 1st Kauto Star Ruby Walsh 7/4F
2009 2nd Denman Sam Thomas 7/1
2009 4th Neptune Collonges Christian Williams 15/2
2009 5th My Will Nick Scholfield 100/1
2009 13th Star De Mohaison Timmy Murphy 20/1
2010 2nd Denman A P McCoy 4/1
2010 7th My Will Nick Scholfield 80/1
2010 9th Tricky Trickster Barry Geraghty 12/1
2010 F Kauto Star Ruby Walsh 8/11F
2011 2nd Denman Sam Thomas 8/1
2011 3rd Kauto Star Ruby Walsh 5/1
2011 4th What A Friend Daryl Jacob 25/1
2011 8th Neptune Collonges Robert Thornton 33/1
2012 F What A Friend Daryl Jacob 25/1
2012 PU Kauto Star Ruby Walsh 3/1
2013 F Silviniaco Conti Ruby Walsh 4/1
2014 4th Silviniaco Conti Noel Fehily 11/4
2015 7th Silviniaco Conti Noel Fehily 3/1F
2015 PU Sam Winner Sam Twiston-Davies 20/1
Jonjo O’Neill - Holywell
2004 6th Keen Leader Barry Geraghty 10/1
2006 PU Iris's Gift A P McCoy 16/1
2007 2nd Exotic Dancer A P McCoy 9/2
2008 5th Exotic Dancer A P McCoy 17/2
2009 3rd Exotic Dancer A P McCoy 8/1
2009 9th Albertas Run Dominic Elsworth 14/1
2012 1st Synchronised A P McCoy 8/1
2015 4th Holywell Richie McLernon 8/1
Oliver Sherwood – Many Clouds
2015 6th Many Clouds Leighton Aspell 7/1
Dan Skelton – Al Ferof
No previous runners
Sandy Thomson – Seeyouatmidnight
No previous runners
Colin Tizzard – Cue Card
2007 PU Bob Bob Bobbin Joe Tizzard 100/1

[Old Vic]

The most valuable non-handicap chase in Britain. The total prize money for the 2016 running is a record £575,000, up £25,000 on the 2015 figure, with £327,462 to the winner.

The first Cheltenham Gold Cup was a three-mile Flat race in 1819, won by Mr Bodenham’s Spectre. The chase, as we now know it, was introduced in 1924, with Red Splash successful. The winning prize money then was £700. Timico, a telecoms company, is the new backer of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, snapping up the sponsorship which became available late last year for the first time since 1979, and has signed a fouryear deal.

Biggest Field
The joint biggest Gold Cup field ever was in 2006, when 22 runners went to post.
Since the chase was first run in 1924, there has only been one other renewal with more than 18 runners - in 1982 when Silver Buck defeated 21 rivals. The re were 16 runners in 2015 and the maximum field allowed is 24.

Multiple Winners
In the Gold Cup’s history, only seven horses have won more than once, most recently Kauto Star, who took the spoils in 2007 and 2009 and was the only horse to ever regain the Gold Cup. The others were Best Mate (2002/03/04), L’Escargot (1970/71), Arkle (1964/65/66), Cottage Rake (1948/49/50), Golden Miller (1932/33/34/35/36) and Easter Hero (1929/30).

Golden Miller holds the record for the most Gold Cup victories, with five consecutive wins from 1932-36.

Most Successful Owner
Golden Miller’s owner, Dorothy Paget, has been the most successful owner in the race with an amazing seven victories, with Roman Hackle (1940) and Mont Tremblant (1952) adding to Golden Miller’s five wins.

Most Successful Trainer
The most successful trainer has been Tom Dreaper, who won five Gold Cups with three separate horses, namely Prince Regent (1946), Arkle (1964, 1965 and 1966) and Fort Leney (1968).
Paul Nicholls is the most successful current handler with four wins from three separate horses - See More Business (1999), Kauto Star (2007 & 2009) and Denman (2008).

Most Successful Jockey
The most successful jockey has been Pat Taaffe, who recorded four victories on - Arkle (1964, 1965 & 1966) and Fort Leney (1968).

The two most successful current jockeys are Ruby Walsh and Barry Geraghty, who have both enjoyed two wins. Walsh was on board Kauto Star (2007 & 2009) and Geraghty took the spoils with Kicking King (2005) and Bobs Worth (2013).

Ridden & Trained Winner
Five winning jockeys went on train the Gold Cup winner.

Rode Trained
Danny Morgan Morse Code (1938) Roddy Owen (1959)
Fred Winter Saffron Tartan (1961), Mandarin (1962) Midnight Court (1978)
Pat Taaffe Arkle (1964, 1965, 1966), Fort Leney (1968) Captain Christy (1974)
Jonjo O’Neill Alverton (1979), Dawn Run (1986) Synchronised (2012)
Jim Culloty Best Mate (2002, 2003, 2004) Lord Windermere (2014)

Mares
A total of four mares have won the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup – Ballinode (1925), Kerstin (1958),
Glencaraig Lady (1972) and Dawn Run (1986).

Longest & Shortest-Priced Winners, Fate Of The Favourites
The longest-priced winner of the Gold Cup has been Norton’s Coin, who started at 100/1 in 1990, while the shortest-priced winner was Arkle, the 1/10 favourite in 1966. In the 87 runnings, 29 favourites have won – exactly 1/3 (or 33.3 per cent).

Greys
The only grey Cheltenham Gold Cup winner was Desert Orchid in 1989.

Age
The breakdown of winners by age is as follows:
5yo - 3 victories
6yo - 5 victories
7yo - 16 victories
8yo - 21 victories
9yo - 24 victories
10yo - 11 victories
11yo - 5 victories
12yo - 2 victories

Overseas-Trained Winners
The winners of 23 Gold Cups have been trained overseas.
IRELAND (22): Ballinode (1925), Prince Regent (1946), Cottage Rake (1948, 1949, 1950), Knock Hard
(1953), Roddy Owen (1959), Arkle (1964, 1965, 1966), Fort Leney (1968), L’Escargot (1970, 1971),
Glencaraig Lady (1972), Captain Christy (1974), Ten Up (1975), Davy Lad (1977), Dawn Run (1986),
Imperial Call (1996), Kicking King (2005), War Of Attrition (2006), Lord Windermere (2014)
FRANCE (1): The Fellow (1994)

Gold Cup/Champion Hurdle Double
Dawn Run is the only horse to have won both the Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup. She was successful in 1984 and 1986 respectively.

Fastest Time
The fastest winning time is 6 minutes 29.7 seconds, set by Long Run in 2011.

Did You Know?
A P McCoy’s Stan James Champion Hurdle/Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup double in 1997 on Make A Stand and Mr Mulligan was the 11th time that the big-race double has been landed by one jockey in the same year. The other jockeys to have achieved the feat were Dick Rees (1929), Tom Cullinan (1930), Ted Leader (1932), Bill Stott (1933), Gerry Wilson (1935), Aubrey Brabazon (1949 and 1950), Tim Molony (1953), Fred Winter (1961) and Norman Williamson (1995). Alderbrook and Master Oats in 1995 enabled Norman Williamson and Kim Bailey to join a very select group of jockey and trainer partnerships who have won both the Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup in the same year. The other successful partnerships were Tommy Cullinan and Jack Anthony in 1930, Ted Leader and Basil
Briscoe in 1932, Bill Stott and Basil Briscoe in 1933, and Aubrey Brabazon and Vincent O’Brien in both 1949 and 1950.

Michael Dickinson saddled the first five horses home in the 11-runnner 1983 renewal – Bregawn (Graham Bradley – 100/30F), Captain John (David Goulding – 11/1), Wayward Lad (Jonjo O’Neill – 6/1), Silver Buck (Robert Earnshaw – 5/1) and Ashley House (Mr Dermot Browne – 12/1).

Timico became the latest sponsor of the Cheltenham Gold Cup in December, 2015, less than three weeks after Betfred, which had purchased the previous backer, the tote (from 1980), pulled out. The only other sponsor of the Cheltenham Gold Cup was Piper Champagne between 1975 and 1979

[loveracing]

This time last year RTR was favourite for the GC and still would have been even if the 2 Don's were in the betting. There is no reason why he is double the odd's of the Don's. I actually think he will finsih ahead of them both.

[KingSprinterSacre]

Pricewise has selected Road to Riches for this

[gjt7756]

Road to riches was my horse to follow last season amd backed him all the way up to the gold cup and cheered him up that hill, however you'd have to admit he really has been the forgotten horse this year, even with his impressive reappearance in the clonmel oil chase by 6 lengths and i for one will be backing him to beat don poli in the irish gold cup at leopardstown next month and should certainly be above him in the betting for the gold cup imo, talk of dropping him into the ryan air for a penalty kick by some fans is nonsense, he has a nd deserves his place in this line up

[loveracing]

Road to riches was my horse to follow last season amd backed him all the way up to the gold cup and cheered him up that hill, however you'd have to admit he really has been the forgotten horse this year, even with his impressive reappearance in the clonmel oil chase by 6 lengths and i for one will be backing him to beat don poli in the irish gold cup at leopardstown next month and should certainly be above him in the betting for the gold cup imo, talk of dropping him into the ryan air for a penalty kick by some fans is nonsense, he has a nd deserves his place in this line up

Same here gjt, I was balls deep on RTR last year and only backed CG on the day when the rain came.

I personally won't be backing him for the Irish GC. For some reason I can't see why a trainer would want to give his GC horse a hard race in possibly soft/heavy ground a month before the big day. I think Meade wants to take him to the race fresh this time.

[mayo]

Pricewise has selected Road to Riches for this

he was out of sight out of mind there for a while.

[roose88]

Im still backing Vautour and hope he turns up in this. Going left handed, on better ground when hes going to be more fitter and tuned up he must have a better chance than the odds suggest. Ricci & Mullins want the gold cup so Rich throwing two darts at it i dont see a problem.

Thought he ran a great race in the king george considering.

[mayo]

Im still backing Vautour and hope he turns up in this. Going left handed, on better ground when hes going to be more fitter and tuned up he must have a better chance than the odds suggest. Ricci & Mullins want the gold cup so Rich throwing two darts at it i dont see a problem.

Thought he ran a great race in the king george considering.

Vautour at 7s NRNB with Bet365 is a bit of a no brainer. If he runs Ruby will ride and he will go off at half that price. Free bet or money back for those with big enough banks to trade.

[loveracing]

DC highly unimpressive today. The Don's won't win!

I think it's out of last years 2nd and 3rd with Cue Card in the mix.

RTR had a long season last year so you can forgive the 13L 3rd to DC in the Punchestown Gold Cup.

Djakadam will no doubt be an improver being a young contender last year. I think he's the one to beat.

[MrMcGoldrick]

DC highly unimpressive today. The Don's won't win!

I think it's out of last years 2nd and 3rd with Cue Card in the mix.

RTR had a long season last year so you can forgive the 13L 3rd to DC in the Punchestown Gold Cup.

Djakadam will no doubt be an improver being a young contender last year. I think he's the one to beat.

Agreed LR, I said a few weeks ago that Djakadam is starting to look like a good thing and if Vautour turns up here I'm not sure that Rubys choice of ride will definitely be him

[loveracing]

Agreed LR, I said a few weeks ago that Djakadam is starting to look like a good thing and if Vautour turns up here I'm not sure that Rubys choice of ride will definitely be him

Could you get off an improving juvenile who came 1L 2nd to CG last year and now with no CG in the race, and onto a horse that may not even get the trip? I doubt it. I know I wouldn't be backing Vautour in any race unless Ruby is on his back. Look what happened last time someone else rode him.

I predict Vautour won't run in this!

[MrMcGoldrick]

Could you get off an improving juvenile who came 1L 2nd to CG last year and now with no CG in the race, and onto a horse that may not even get the trip? I doubt it. I know I wouldn't be backing Vautour in any race unless Ruby is on his back. Look what happened last time someone else rode him.

I predict Vautour won't run in this!

We're singing from the same hymn sheet LR, the next question has to be will they really miss the Gold cup to run him in the Ryanair, or will they decide he should go for a championship race? Then which horse will Ruby choose if they decide on the QM, I think it would be Vautour and once they state that's his target you won't see anything bigger than evs about him, but it's all conjecture at this moment in time, he could go in any

[loveracing]

We're singing from the same hymn sheet LR, the next question has to be will they really miss the Gold cup to run him in the Ryanair, or will they decide he should go for a championship race? Then which horse will Ruby choose if they decide on the QM, I think it would be Vautour and once they state that's his target you won't see anything bigger than evs about him, but it's all conjecture at this moment in time, he could go in any

Could this all come down to UDS's next race and whether he blows away SDG or not? It will be fingers on the button time.

[mayo]

My post at 0928 this morning

Vautour at 7s NRNB with Bet365 is a bit of a no brainer. If he runs Ruby will ride and he will go off at half that price. Free bet or money back for those with big enough banks to trade.

Tweet from Red32 / Betfairs Tony Calvin at 2:52

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">More you look at pace-less Gold Cup, more they must fancy Vautour from front. 7s NRNB goes 7-2 if/when they make decision, as Ruby will ride</p>&mdash; Tony Calvin (@tony_calvin) <a href="https://twitter.com/tony_calvin/status/687648526562623488">January 14, 2016</a></blockquote>
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