Quite By Chance and
Festive Affair arrive in this contest for the second successive year, with the Tizzard trained runner a 6L victor in 2016 from a 9lb lower mark. The Jonjo O'Neill trained runner made the frame in finishing 7L third, but progressed quickly throughout the remainder of the season winning on three occasions. However, in the shape of
MARRACUDJA, they face a rival for whom this is probably his Gold Cup. A fast, fluent hurdler, he has proved at his most effective on sharp right-handed courses (dual Wincanton scorer), and with the forecast ground conditions seemingly ideal, he promises to be much stronger than when narrowly denied by Oliver's Hill at Kempton. He'll prove a very tough nut to crack over this slightly reduced trip, and rates as a most confident selection.
- Marracudja
- Calipto
- Quite By Chance