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14:15 Cheltenham

Saturday 13 November 2021

All12:3013:0513:4014:1514:5015:2515:55

Paddy Power Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:16 | Winning time: 4m 59.52s

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Selected odds by:

Simply The Betts³⁶⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 154| CWS

20/1

Improved markedly over fences during 2019/20 season, signing off with success in the Plate here in March. Respectable sixth in this race 12 months ago but very best form on softer ground. Yard debut.

Form: 11211/6-

Protektorat^t²¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 154| CD

11/2

Useful hurdler who had a fine first season over fences, winning 3 of his 5 starts, culminating in Grade 1 success at Aintree (19.9f) in April (on back of wind op). Claims from workable-looking mark.

Form: 0/11221-

Aso²¹⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-11| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 153| C| D

50/1

Twice a runner-up in the Ryanair but didn't look the force of old last season, albeit facing stern assignments in Gold Cup/Bowl on final 2 starts. Still, vulernable to younger rivals on return.

Form: 7F2285-

Paint The Dream^t³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: C Brace| T: F O'Brien| OR: 152| D

11/1

Winning hurdler who put it all together over fences at Newbury (22.4f) in December, making all. Career best when forging clear on return at Chepstow (19.5f) last month but this understandably tougher.

Form: 22313-1

Al Dancer²⁵⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: S Thomas| OR: 149| C

13/2

Smart chaser who ran right up to his best when third in this race 12 months ago. Never figured either start thereafter but boasts a fine record fresh so worth a look with new yard going along nicely.

Form: 25/139P-

Lalor^t1¹⁹²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 149| CWS

7/1

Smart chaser at his best and went close from higher marks here in 2020. Disappointed both starts following an absence in the spring but foolish to rule out revival for new yard on back of wind op.

Form: 6433/P-P

Caribean Boy²¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 148| BF| D

12/1

Grade 2 chase winner who caught the eye when seventh in Paddy Power Plate in March, staying on well from long way back. National fences may not have been his bag final start and interesting on return.

Form: 1/1347P-

Midnight Shadow²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Ryan Mania| T: Mrs S J Smith| OR: 147| CD

9/1

Ran right up to best when runner-up in last season's Caspian Caviar Gold Cup and arrives here in good order, close third behind Allmankind in last month's Old Roan Chase. Respected from 1 lb higher.

Form: 26/02P-3

Spiritofthegames^p⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 144| D

33/1

Regular in competitive handicaps who finished runner-up in this race 12 months ago and consistency hard to knock. Fit from spin over hurdles at Newbury 9 days ago and each-way possibilities.

Form: 48283-4

Manofthemountain³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 144| C

14/1

Generally progressive and enhanced strike rate when taking Silver Trophy here in April. Pressed on early enough when second behind Paint The Dream on Chepstow return but mark demands a bit more now.

Form: 14P21-2

Zanza¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 144

12/1

Useful hurdler who improved over fences last term, winning at Newbury (2m) in November. Creditable sixth at Aintree in April and latest third in Haldon Gold Cup was solid. Longer trip worth exploring.

Form: 21FP6-3

Dostal Phil¹⁹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Aidan Coleman| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 142

16/1

Low-mileage 8-y-o who confirmed he's on a good mark when coming from long way back to finish third in Red Rum at Aintree in April. Unseated at Punchestown final start and needs to keep errors at bay.

Form: P/1323U-

Coole Cody²²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 141| CD

14/1

Showed all his qualities when landing this race from 4 lb lower mark 12 months ago and matched that when fourth in Paddy Power Plate in March. Good second on hurdle return and likely to be spot on now

Form: 16344-2

Up The Straight²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽⁵⁾| T: R Rowe| OR: 138| D

20/1

Useful hurdler who never figured in Silver Trophy on final start in the spring. Made most of good opportunity to land 3-runner novice on return but more needed faced with this competitive scenario.

Form: U2525-1

Belargus²⁰³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: N F Houlihan⁽⁵⁾| T: N J Gifford| OR: 138| D

33/1

Put it all together earlier this year, landing 2 of last 3 starts at Sandown at up to 20f (in contention when falling other outing). Assessor applies more pressure and further progress required now.

Form: F231F1-

Deyrann de Carjac¹⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 137| D

50/1

Back-to-back novice chase winner who hit frame in pair of Grade 2's during 2019/20 season. Very lightly raced since though, well held at Market Rasen in June. Others hold more pressing claims.

Form: 330/P-35

Funky Dady³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: S A Mulcahy⁽⁷⁾| T: D Hogan| OR: 136| D

33/1

Largely consistent following Tipperary chase victory (19f) in July, not seen to best effect when plugging-on fourth in Munster National (3m) in October. However this a tough ask from career-high mark.

Form: 314324

Galahad Quest^t¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: David Noonan| T: Nick Williams| OR: 135| C| D

22/1

Grade 2 hurdles winner who made it third time lucky over fences at Haydock (19.9f) in February. Good third on return at Wetherby (19.4f) and this 5-y-o promises to do better still in this discipline.

Form: 74931-3

Nietzsche^t²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: S Bowen| T: B Ellison| OR: 133| C| D

28/1

Gained a deserved win when landing listed handicap at Ayr (20.5f) in April. Spin on Flat at Catterick in October should have blown the cobwebs away but he may find a few too good from this mark.

Form: 33381-0

Non-Runners

Farinet²⁴⁵

Weight: 10-6| Age: 6

T: Miss V Williams J: R T Dunne

Forecasts

Protektorat (11/2), Al Dancer (13/2), Lalor (7/1), Midnight Shadow (9/1), Paint The Dream (11/1), Zanza (12/1), Caribean Boy (12/1), Manofthemountain (14/1), Coole Cody (14/1), Dostal Phil (16/1), Simply The Betts (20/1), Up The Straight (20/1), Farinet (20/1), Galahad Quest (22/1), Nietzsche (28/1), Spiritofthegames (33/1), Funky Dady (33/1), Belargus (33/1), Deyrann de Carjac (50/1), Aso (50/1)

An ultra-competitive renewal of this feature contest with the vote in favour of AL DANCER. Third from a 5 lb higher mark in this race last year, he never figured either start thereafter but returns with his new yard going well and his record fresh is a particular positive. Lalor is a fascinating runner on debut for Paul Nicholls and respected, along with Protektorat, Caribean Boy and Coole Cody.