Paddy Power Gold Cup: Runner by runner betting guide

Paddy Power Gold Cup runner by runner betting guide

Now it’s time to take a in-dept looking into runners of the Mucking Brilliant Paddy Power Novices Chase and the best horse racing bookmakers to help you make a winning bet.

3 Ginny’s Destiny

Age: 8
Weight: 11st 2lb
Form: 11122-
Rating: 155
Jockey: Harry Cobden
Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Odds: 3/1

Could this be a case of déjà vu for Paul Nicholls with Ginny’s Destiny?

A mark of 155 puts him on the same mark that saw his stablemate Stage Star take this last season, and Ginny’s Destiny has very similar credentials here.

Just like Stage Star, Ginny’s Destiny contested the Grade 1 Turners Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, with the only difference being that Stage Star won, and Ginny’s Destiny could only manage second place.

He did manage to back that up with another Grade 1 second to Il Etait Temps at Aintree, cementing himself as an exciting prospect for this season.

His course record speaks for itself, with three wins from five starts, but he does have a slight negative against him here: the lack of a run.

Seven of the last eight Paddy Power Gold Cup winners came into the race with a run under their belts that season.

Can he buck the trend? Yes, of course, he can, but he would want to be ready to rock to sustain what will likely be an end-to-end gallop from the front.

Besides the lack of a run, there is a lot to like about the chances of Ginny’s Destiny, and it could well be that the class angle comes out on top for the second year in a row.

Has the ideal profile
Looks sure to be better than his current mark
Has a good Cheltenham record

Lacks a recent run

Star rating:

Bet on Ginny’s Destiny with talkSPORT BET

7 Imagine

Age: 6
Weight: 10st 6lb
Form: 3/114-
Rating: 145
Jockey: Paul O’Brien
Trainer: Harry Derham
Odds: 6/1

Formally trained by Gordon Elliott in Ireland when in the ownership of Cadwell Construction, but has since been bought for €320,000 and is now in the care of up-and-coming trainer Harry Derham.

The last time we saw him was in January when he finished 30 lengths fourth behind the now Grade 1 novice chase winner Spillane’s Tower.

Before that, he was beating the future Grade 1 winner, Inotherwayyourthinking. However, it was well short of Inotherwayurthinking’s best trip.

He managed to beat the 142-rated Lucid Dreams between those two runs.

But he needs to take a big step forward on what he has already shown.

His best form has been on heavy ground, and it will be good, good to soft ground at Cheltenham, which he has yet to encounter.

And if you go off his form on soft to yelding ground, it might not be ideal.

Undoubtedly, he looks well on his mark, but you are asking a lot from a very inexperienced horse to win a Paddy Power Gold Cup on his first start of the season under a new trainer.

He hasn’t shown me enough in Ireland to justify backing him.

Unexposed over fences
Showed glimpses of what he can do in Ireland

Lacks a recent run
Needs to take a big jump in form
The ground may not suit

Star rating:

Bet on Imagine with BetMGM

13 Il Ridoto

Age: 7
Weight: 9st 13lb
Form: 308P-5
Rating: 138
Jockey: Freddie Gingell (3)
Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Odds: 7/1

Il Ridoto has been the horse on many people’s lips leading up to the 2024 Paddy Power Gold Cup. I can see why he is on everyone’s lips, but he has had plenty of chances to win a race like this.

He has beaten 12 lengths in this last season off 144, and was grabbed late on in the December Gold Cup by Fugitif off one pound lower, and could only manage fourth behind Ga Law over course and distance once again.

What he has going for him is that he is down to his last winning mark, course form, and he has a run under his belt.

He has the standout credentials to grab a place here, but I would be disappointed if there weren’t at least two better than him.

Has consistently run well over course and distance
Back on his last winning mark
Has a run under his belt

Beaten in three similar races last season

Star rating:

Bet on Il Ridoto with Spreadex

2 Ga Law

Age: 8
Weight: 11st 2lb
Form: 71P2-2
Rating: 155
Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
Trainer: Jamie Snowden
Odds: 8/1

Ga Law took the 2022 Paddy Power Gold Cup off a mark of 142 and will look to become

He comes in here looking to win another off 155, only five pounds higher than when taking the premier handicap over course and distance in January (Il Ridotto back in third).

His comeback run at Chepstow was full of promise for what might come here, and if he can step forward for that run, then there is no reason why he can not be in the mix in a race that has already shown that it brings the best out in him.

Not without hope for a place, but should find a few that are too good for the win.

A former winner
Comes in on the back of a good comeback run

On a career-high mark

Star rating:

Bet on Ga Law with VBET

9 In Excelsis Deo

Age: 6
Weight: 10st 4lb
Form: 2U51-P
Rating: 143
Jockey: Bryan Carver
Trainer: Harry Fry
Odds: 12/1

In Exceslsis Deo will be high on many people’s lists, and you can see why.

He has some standout handicap form over this course at Cheltenham, notably a fourth-place finish behind Shakem Up’arry in the Plate, and comes in here with a big chance.

In Exceslsis, Deo was last seen being pulled up in the Galway Plate, but he wasn’t the first and won’t be the last to not act around Galway. He tends to leave his mark on a fence, which can leave him with a lot to do at the business end of a race.

Back here on what is six pounds higher than for a comfortable win at the April meeting leaves him on a mark that gives him every chance.

He won first time out on debut for Harry Fry, so there is optimism that he can be ready to go and is a danger to all his jumping doesn’t hinder him.

A good course record
Still looks the type to be better than this mark

His jumping can cost him a race

Star rating:

Bet on In Excelsis Deo with Betfred

Bet on IN EXCESLSIS DEO for the Paddy Power Gold Cup here

10 Lets Go Champ

Age: 9
Weight: 10st 2lb
Form: 323-16
Rating: 141
Jockey: Mike O’Connor (3)
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
Odds: 16/1

The English handicapper may have left one slip through his fingers here.

Let’s Go Champ gets to run one pound higher than his Irish mark, which saw him finish sixth in the Galway Plate.

Having only had six runs over fences and finishing outside of the top three on only one occasion, Lets Go Champ may still have more improvement.

The stable is in flying form, and we know Henry doesn’t send horses over to Cheltenham who don’t have an outstanding chance.

Big player.

Lightly raced over fences
Acts on any ground
Only one pound higher than his Irish mark

Star rating:

Bet on Lets Go Champ with Betano

1 Protektorat

Age: 9
Weight: 12st 0lb
Form: 32313-
Rating: 167
Jockey: Harry Skelton
Trainer: Dan Skelton
Odds: 16/1

Last season’s Ryanair Chase hero, Protektorat, comes in here with a mission to right the wrongs of 2021.

Sent off the 11/2 favourite for this in 2021 off a mark of 154, Protektorat looks to have it all to do off 167.

Could he do it? Well, yes.

He is the horse that brings by and far the best form to the table, and it wouldn’t be the first time that we’ve seen a Grade 1 winner lumping top weight in a handicap to victory and when you look into the race from every angle, it lacks a lot of depth.

He will undoubtedly be able to carry the weight, and with Dan Skelton’s experience getting one ready to go first time out, he has a chance.

Class will always rise to the top, and it wouldn’t be the biggest shock in the world if Protecktorat pulled this off.

Current Ryanair winner
Multiple Grade 1 winner

Has top weight
Best off 154 in this back in 2021

Star rating:

Bet on Protektorat with bet365

6 Fugitif

Age: 9
Weight: 10st 13lb
Form: 413PP-
Rating: 152
Jockey: Kielan Woods
Trainer: Richard Hobson
Odds: 20/1

Fugitif is another sporting good course and distance figure.

He was fourth in last season’s Paddy Power running before running down Il Ridoto in the December Gold Cup.

After that, he was third in the Grade 1 Clarence House Chase behind Elixir Se Nutz and Jonbon. However, Fugitif went totally off the boil after seeing him being pulled up in the Cheltenham Festival and Aintree Grand National Festival.

The one silver lining to his dip in form is that he is now just one pound higher than he was for his win in the December Gold Cup.

Realistically, he is out of it for a winning purpose, but he could run well and grab a place.

Good course form
One pound higher than his December Gold Cup win

Looks to have his best days behind him
Trainers form

Star rating:

Bet on Fugitif with Sky Bet

11 Hatur d’Arc

Age: 7
Weight: 10st 2lb
Form: 23110-
Rating: 141
Jockey: Jonathan Burke
Trainer: Gavin Cromwell
Odds: 20/1

Having been switched to Gavin Cromwell from Thomas Gibney at the start of last season, Hatur d’Arc quickly became a useful handicap chaser.

He powered away to win on debut for Gavin Cromwell over 2m4f on heavy ground and backed that up with a win in the Leinster National.

Sighters were then set on the Irish National. A combination of the ground and trip saw him finish a well-beaten tenth.

He’s unexposed over fences, has already shown that he can cope with a race like this, and is one of the more interesting runners at a price.

Unesposed over fences
Won a big field handicap

Ground may not be ideal

Star rating:

Bet on Hatur d’Arc with SBK

5 Janidil

Age: 10
Weight: 11st 0lb
Form: 30P-F3
Rating: 153
Jockey:
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Odds: 25/1

You rarely can confidently rule out a Willie Mullins runner, but Janidil has a lot to do here to get competitive.

He looked like a shell of his former self last season and is on the same mark as when he saw him pulled up in the Galway Plate.

A massive leap of faith is needed to side with Janidil here.

Trained by Willie Mullins

Turned over at short odds last time out
Looks too high in the handicap

Star rating:

Bet on Janidil with Midnite

15 Weveallbeencaught

Age: 7
Weight: 9st 6lb
Form: 660-32
Rating: 131
Jockey: Jack Tudor
Trainer: Christian Williams
Odds: 25/1

Weveallbeencaught is a horse that never came close to living up to the hype surrounding him as a novice hurdler for Nigel Twiston-Davies.

Since his 20-length 12th in the bet365 Chase at Sandown, Weveallbeencaught has been switched to Christian Williams, which has sparked some life into him.

An encouraging run on debut for his new yard was followed up by a close second over course and distance. The handicapper has been harsh with the seven-pound weight hike for that.

If Weveallbeencaught can step forward once again, he is here off a low weight, which should make him competitive for a place. But can he be trusted to do so?

Ran his best race for a long time last time
Course form

Has never been one to trust
Up seven pounds for finishing second

Star rating:

Bet on Weveallbeencaught with Paddy Power

8 Jetoile

Age: 9
Weight: 10st 6lb
Form: 14P-40
Rating: 145
Jockey: Dylan Johnston (3)
Trainer: Ryan Potter
Odds: 28/1

On his day, Jetoile can pull together a performance that could put him in the mix for a place here.

He won Old Roan Chase off one pound higher than his current mark last season, leaving him on the mark that saw him just over five lengths behind Lets Go Champ at the Punchestown Festival.

His comeback run was poor, but he should come on a lot for that run, and if he can bring his best on the ground he thrives on, he could be a lively outsider.

Back on his last winning mark
Will love the ground conditions

Needs to leave his seasonal comeback behind him

Star rating:

Bet on Jetoile with Parimatch

12 Madara

Age: 5
Weight: 10st 2lb
Form: 6119-8
Rating: 141
Jockey: Tristan Durrell (3)
Trainer: Dan Skelton
Odds: 33/1

Formally trained by Sophie Leech and now in the care of Dan Skelton, Madara made a low-key start to life with the Skeltons when down the field at Ascot.

He should come on from that run and has form from last season to give him a squeak here. He beat In Exceslsis Deo over two miles on the old course.

This will be his first time over this trip, but it shouldn’t be an issue, seeing that he has winning form over your furlong shorter when trained in France.

Madara dropped two pounds after his below-par run at Ascot, but he is still seven pounds higher than when he won at the Dublin Racing Festival.

This is a big ask for this five-year-old, and if he is to get involved, he will need to show massive improvement over his previous performance.

Time is still on his side, but this might be too much for him.

Has time on his side to produce a career-best
Good course form

Needs a massive jump forward from his last run
A big ask for a five-year-old

Star rating:

Bet on Madara with Copybet

14 Straw Fan Jack

Age: 9
Weight: 10st 2lb
Form: 23036-
Rating: 141
Jockey: Sean Houlihan
Trainer: Sheila Lewis
Odds: 33/1

He ran a massive race in the Festival Plate last season, but he will need to improve that to get involved here, which is unlikely at his age.

He’s nine, raising ten now, and his best days are well behind. And it would be a massive shock if he got seriously involved off this mark on his first start of the season.

Ran well at the festival

Looks high in the weights
Lacks a run

Star rating:

Bet on Straw Fan Jack with Ladbrokes

4 Editeur Du Gite

Age: 10
Weight: 11st 1lb
Form: 15P-P9
Rating: 154
Jockey: Niall Houlihan
Trainer: Gary & Josh Moore
Odds: 40/1

It’s fair to say that Editeur Du Gite’s best days are behind him, but this former Grade 1 winning chaser comes alive around Cheltenham.

He showed last season that he retains a chunk of his ability when taking a Grade 2 chase at Kempton, but his best form is in small fields.

He likes to get on with things, and it will be hard for him to get his way out in front here.

However, on this day, he has the ability to put up a bold show, but at the age of ten, he looks to have a lot to do to defy this mark.

Former Grade 1 winner
Shows some of his best form around here

Looks weighted to his best
Not going to improve at his age

Star rating:

Bet on Editeur Du Gite with kwiff

Paddy Power Gold Cup Verdict

As always, the Paddy Power Gold Cup is a challenging puzzle to solve. Paul Nicholls looks to have a stronghold here with Il Ridoto and Ginny’s Destiny, but the one I like at an each-way price is LET’S GO CHAMP.

He gets in here off just one pound higher than his Irish mark, and Mickey O’Connor takes three pounds off him, only adding to his appeal.

With his trainer, Henry de Bromhead, sporting a good strike rate when sending challengers over, he rates as an excellent each-way alternative.

About the author

Andrew Halligan

My name is Andrew Halligan, horse racing pundit and founder of YouTube’s The Finishing Line Podcast. Horse racing is a thrilling spectacle that captivates audiences around the world with its blend of drama and excitement. Whether you’re a jumps or flat fan, I will use my experience of working within the horse racing industry to bring the best of what this sport has to offer.

You can follow Andrew on X (@Halligan88).

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