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The 2025 Paddy Power Gold Cup (Handicap Chase)

Final field....

Jagwar Jonjo O'Neill Jr
The Other Mozzie Eoin Staples
Bad Ben Jones
Thecompanysergeant Keith Donoghue
Riskintheground Tristan Durrell
Il Ridoto Harry Cobden
Coming Up Easy Darragh O'Keeffe
Vincenzo Dylan Johnston
Theatre Native Sean Bowen
Panic Attack Harry Skelton
Conyers Hill TBC
Es Perfecto Tom Bellamy
Hoe Joly Smoke Kielan Woods
Hunter Legend Charlie Deutsch
Issar d'Airy Freddie Mitchell

Betting: https://www.oddschecker.com/horse-racing/2025-11-15-cheltenham/14:20/winner
 
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I'm still strongly considering backing Hunter Legend in what looks a pretty open renewal.

He's a French bred and the grandsire Dom Alco's progeny apparantly show a strong preference for soft and heavy ground which we could well see on Saturday.

I know he's low in the ratings and more often than not these type of horses are simply taken off their feet and can't go the gallop to keep up, but there's always exceptions to the rule, and I also think the 16/1 will vanish up to race time, with Hunter Legend starting at SP of single figure odds.

That's just my gut feeling, with no crystal ball involvement at the moment.
 
Having looked at it I think they're a pretty crap bunch Jagwar aside. Bad I think will be done by the ground if not the track hope I'm wrong but that's my gut feeling. Still think Conyers Hill will be there about and Marb I think your Hunters legend has as good a chance as any of running into the places but I thought he was about 50's the other day when you mentioned him and thought you would of had a couple of shekels at that price.

Have to say now the final decs are out for all the races im a bit underwhelmed. One i had my eye on for the amateurs race and one I had my eye on staying hurdle on the card havent made the final decs. Outside of the Paddy power and the intermediate hurdle where at the prices I'll be with Hamisyann and Royal infantry who for me is the most likely winner on the whole card I cant see myself having a bet in anger for the rest of the day. Maybe if I pull out a result in the Shloer on the Friday it'll put a bit of blood in it and rejuvenate the let's have 'em spirit but I can see the Saturday being a bit of a damp squib in more ways than one. More of a watching brief really.
 

2.20 - Gold Cup Handicap Chase - Panic Attack, Hoe Joly Smoke & Riskintheground​

We've got three in the Handicap Chase here, Harry [Skelton] rides Panic Attack, and I think the rain will really suit her... we've had this race in mind for a while for her, the only thing she hasn't had is a prep run, but she has been for an away day, and based on her run at Windsor we're hopeful there's a bit more to come over fences. She's not a young horse, but she's a relatively lightly-raced one who we feel is in good condition. We're looking forward to seeing her here.

We've then got Hoe Joly Smoke in the same race. He didn't stay the trip at Cheltenham last time over three-miles and two furlongs, so we're coming back in trip. He's in great form at home, and I felt like I had to run him, just because he's in such good form. I was thinking of waiting for the December Gold Cup, but he's in too good form not to race here. I don't think the rain will be too much of a negative for him - I'm just looking forward to getting him back out there now.

Riskintheground is our third chance in this one, but I'd be a little bit concerned about him if we were to get all of the rain that's forecast, and the ground was really soft. We'll have a look on the day and make a decision. But he holds his form at this level consistently now, and he obviously won a Grade 2 back at this track in April, as well as an intermediate chase when he was wrong at the weights last time. So he's in good form, but we're just keeping an eye on the rain for him.


Dan Skelton
 
Danny said:
Having looked at it I think they're a pretty crap bunch Jagwar aside. Bad I think will be done by the ground if not the track hope I'm wrong but that's my gut feeling. Still think Conyers Hill will be there about and Marb I think your Hunters legend has as good a chance as any of running into the places but I thought he was about 50's the other day when you mentioned him and thought you would of had a couple of shekels at that price.

Have to say now the final decs are out for all the races im a bit underwhelmed. One i had my eye on for the amateurs race and one I had my eye on staying hurdle on the card havent made the final decs. Outside of the Paddy power and the intermediate hurdle where at the prices I'll be with Hamisyann and Royal infantry who for me is the most likely winner on the whole card I cant see myself having a bet in anger for the rest of the day. Maybe if I pull out a result in the Shloer on the Friday it'll put a bit of blood in it and rejuvenate the let's have 'em spirit but I can see the Saturday being a bit of a damp squib in more ways than one. More of a watching brief really.
Click to expand...

3.30 - Intermediate Handicap Hurdle - Royal Infantry​

We then run Royal Infantry, a horse who I think has a good bit more to come. I think he'll improve for the Silver Trophy run and his form is working out very well. OK, we've got to shoulder top weight here, but that's what his form suggests. It's a tough race though, as you'd expect, but we're looking forward to getting him back out there. I think he'll be progressive this year.
 
Rapidly going off the idea of going now 😟
But the lodgings are paid for + we'll still go even if the racing is off.
f$%^ing train journey I'm not looking forward to. Chaos + Delays expected. At least there's very little football tomorrow. Pissed up supporters + their moronic chanting, would be the last straw.
 
Robicheaux said:
Rapidly going off the idea of going now 😟
But the lodgings are paid for + we'll still go even if the racing is off.
f$%^ing train journey I'm not looking forward to. Chaos + Delays expected. At least there's very little football tomorrow. Pissed up supporters + their moronic chanting, would be the last straw.
Click to expand...

Go to your local.
 
Robicheaux said:
Rapidly going off the idea of going now 😟
But the lodgings are paid for + we'll still go even if the racing is off.
f$%^ing train journey I'm not looking forward to. Chaos + Delays expected. At least there's very little football tomorrow. Pissed up supporters + their moronic chanting, would be the last straw.
Click to expand...

It'll be fine it'll be on, drier well for spectators anyway and we'll find some winners.
 
I don't think she will need wellies. I'm certainly not wearing them! It's all tarmac anyway unless you go and stand out on the lawn.
 
The Fortune Teller said:
I'm still strongly considering backing Hunter Legend in what looks a pretty open renewal.

He's a French bred and the grandsire Dom Alco's progeny apparantly show a strong preference for soft and heavy ground which we could well see on Saturday.

I know he's low in the ratings and more often than not these type of horses are simply taken off their feet and can't go the gallop to keep up, but there's always exceptions to the rule, and I also think the 16/1 will vanish up to race time, with Hunter Legend starting at SP of single figure odds.

That's just my gut feeling, with no crystal ball involvement at the moment.
Click to expand...
I'm starting to think that Risky probably won't be risked on the ground (like what I did there.... ;) ) So I think your suggestion Marb is indeed a sound one.

Yes I get that he's pitched in deeper than he's gone before but C'mon! This is Venetia - it's Saturday - and it's likely to be attritional so with 10.9 he's a shoe in, isn't he? Well Panic Attack will obviously be there too....

Plus she has only once run him on good ground where he got stuffed at Aintree.
 
Bad is friendless (20 small on the machine) and I guess the supposition is neither ground nor venue will suit.

But, as previously stated, he's only run there once, lost a shoe yet was only beat 12 lengths in a competitive race, and is a winner on Heavy ground at Bordeaux Le Bouscat, not a great race but he won readily enough.

He might be withdrawn by the time I post this, but I'm not entirely giving up hope just yet.
 

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