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Road to Cheltenham: the Gold Cup

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DJAKADAM RIDDEN BY RUBY WALSH

Djakadam: proved his speed over 2m4f in the John Durkan

  PICTURE: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)  

 By Stuart Riley 4:30PM 13 JAN 2016 

THERE are races for the ages, and then there is this year’s Gold Cup. Simply put, it is the most exciting race over fences since Kauto Star, Denman and Imperial Commander went to war in the 2010 edition.

With so many classy horses the contenders will have to be cherry ripe on March 18. We look at how the trainers will apply the finishing touches to these elite athlete’s preparations.

Djakadam
best price 4-1

If it was not for Coneygree he would already be a Gold Cup winner and, luckily for Djakadam, last year’s winner misses the race – making him de facto the one to beat. A year older, he is seven now and coming into his peak years.

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Has been seen just once this season, when running away with the John Durkan. He proved he did not lack speed that day, winning by 12 lengths over a trip three-quarters of a mile shorter than the Gold Cup test, and he will have his warm up later this month in the BetBright Cup Cotswold Chase, for which he is the 2-5 favourite.

In a nutshell: Speed and stamina, the complete package

Where will we see him next: BetBright Cup Cotswold Chase, Cheltenham, January 30

Don Cossack and Bryan Cooper

Don Cossack (left): the highest-rated chaser in Britain or Ireland

  PICTURE: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)  

Don Cossack
best price 5-1 generally

Has questions to answer with regards to Cheltenham, as he has disappointed on two previous visits, but is currently the highest-rated chaser in Britain or Ireland and lost nothing in defeat when falling two out in a scintillating King George.

Rider Bryan Cooper felt he had Cue Card covered that day and trainer Gordon Elliott is leaving no stone unturned, running him in an uncompetitive four-runner race at Thurles on Thursday, for which he is 1-7, to try and rebuild his confidence when jumping.

In a nutshell: Talented and consistent, but struggles at Cheltenham

Where will we see him next: Ladbrokes Ireland Kinloch Brae Chase, Thurles, January 14

Don Poli

Don Poli: a brilliant jumper who comes alive at Cheltenham

  PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)  

Don Poli
best price 6-1 generally

In the same ownership as Don Cossack, but almost the polar opposite. Lacking pace and unproven at the highest level, he has plenty to find on form, but he is a brilliant jumper who comes alive at Cheltenham.

A two-time Festival winner, adding the RSA Chase last year to the Martin Pipe he picked up the year before, Don Poli has just done enough to win his two starts this season. He goes from the Lexus to the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown, a well-trodden route for Ireland’s premier Gold Cup contender, and is even-money to maintain his unbeaten record this season.

In a nutshell: Jumps for fun and stays all day, but is he good enough?

Where will we see him next: Irish Gold Cup, Leopardstown, February 6

Cue Card

Cue Card: One of the most popular horses in training

  PICTURE: Getty Images  

Cue Card
best price 8-1 (Betfred)

He would pocket a cool £1 million bonus if he could add this to his victories in the Betfair Chase and King George. Another two-time Festival winner, landing the 2010 bumper and the 2013 Ryanair, he has been revitalised this year by an operation on what was a trapped epiglottis.

One of the most popular horses in training, there would not be a dry eye in the house if he could win the Gold Cup for his owner Jean Bishop after she lost her husband Bob last month and he looks set to go straight to the festival.

In a nutshell: The £1 million horse

Where will we see him next: Timico Gold Cup, Cheltenham, March 18

Cue Card

Vautour (left): quick enough to be priced up for the Champion Chase

Vautour
best price 10-1

Will he run in the race? His trainer already has Djakadam (for the same owner) and Don Poli, but is yet to win this race and nobody could argue Vautour is incapable of doing so. No other runner possesses enough natural pace to also be priced up for the Champion Chase, and he was imperious at last year’s festival winning the JLT.

He has stamina questions, as his reserves appeared to give way at Kempton last time, but they went a serious gallop and he was in front a long way out. He could be waited with longer in the Gold Cup and is a fascinating contender if allowed to take his chance.

In a nutshell: Has the class, but may come a year too soon

Where will we see him next: Cheltenham Festival, March 15-18, target undecided

Coneygree

Road To Riches (maroon, centre): The forgotten horse of the race

  PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos) 

Road To Riches
best price 20-1 (Ladbrokes and Coral)

Road To Riches came up just three and a half lengths short in last year’s renewal and looked as good as ever when romping to a six-length victory in the Clonmel Oil Chase back in November.

The 5-2 second favourite for his clash with Don Poli in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown next month, he could certainly put the cat among the pigeons.

In a nutshell: The forgotten horse

Where will we see him next: Irish Gold Cup, Leopardstown, February 6

 

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