The 2024 Paddy Power Gold Cup

Fifteen are set to face the starter for this year's renewal of the Paddy Power Gold Cup (2.20 Cheltenham); the going on the Old Course is described as good, good to soft in places.

Last season Ginny's Destiny won three chases at the track (one on the Old Course, two on the New) before finishing second behind Grey Dawning in the Turners Novices' Chase at the Festival - a mistake at the penultimate flight looked costly.

It's no surprise to see Paul Nicholls' charge priced up clear favourite but his profile suggests he may prefer more cut in the ground and, to date, the gelding has not won on seasonal debut - he missed his intended prep at Newton Abbot as the meeting was abandoned  

Stablemate Stage Star won this last year off a mark of 155 on seasonal debut and is the only favourite to have obliged in the past decade.

Ga Law won the 2022 renewal off 142 and tries to repeat the trick this year off 155. 

Jamie Snowden's charge ran well when second behind Grandeur D'Ame at Chepstow five weeks ago (Il Ridoto fifth, Editeur Du Gite ninth and Jetoile last of 10 runners). 

Il Ridoto finished fourth behind Ga Law in the 2022 renewal off 140 and third last year behind Stage Star off 144. 

Still only seven years old, this represents his second run after wind surgery in July. Although technically running from out of the handicap, Il Ridoto can compete from his correct mark courtesy of Freddie Gingell's three pound claim. 

Formerly trained by Gordon Elliott, Imagine cost 320,000 euros and has his first run for Harry Dereham; with just three starts over fences to his name, Imagine is the least experienced chaser in this field.

I'm a fan of  Protektorat who did me a favour when winning the Ryanair at the Festival in March. 

Dan Skelton's inmate has to give a minimum of 12 pounds to his opponents and, to my mind, really wants soft ground to be seen at his best. His participation means five race from out of the handicap: Hartur d'Arc; Madara; Il Ridoto; Straw Fan Jack; and Weveallbeencaught.

Lets Go Champ ran out of petrol in the closing stages of the Galway Plate in the summer, eventually finishing sixth - beaten eight and a half lengths - behind Pinkerton. The step back in trip here should help his cause and good ground suits.  

Not for the first time In Excelsis Deo's jumping was peppered with mistakes in the Galway Plate while Janadil fell at the first. Connections try first time blinkers on Janadil; the last horse older than nine years of age to come home in front was Clear Cut in 1975.

Of Hartur d'Arc trainer Gavin Cromwell says in this week's RP Weekender:

"He was very good in the Leinster National [3m 1f] and I'm not sure he stayed the trip in the Irish National [3m 5f] on his final run. He isn't a slow horse and we'll bring him back in trip for his first run back - he's in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham's November meeting and he could go back there at some point, maybe in December."

Irish trained runners don't have a strong record in the race; the last Irish trained horse to collect the spoils, Tranquil Sea in 2009, was the first Irish winner for 29 years.

Fugitif, fourth in this last year off 153, beat Il Ridoto a short head in the December Gold Cup four weeks later but, along with Ga Law, was subsequently pulled up behind Protektorat in the Ryanair.

Of those at fancy prices the most interesting is possibly Weveallbeencaught on his third run for Christian Williams. In first time cheekpieces this one finished half a length behind Lisnamult Lad over course and distance three weeks ago; enthusiasm is tempered by the fact he is 10 pounds 'wrong' at the weights.

It's a bold decision by Team Skelton to allow Protektorat to take his chance; his presence gives the handicap a rather lop-sided feel. In a race that more often than not goes the way of a young chaser, I've struggled to find an each-way wager. 

After some deliberation I've decided to take an each-way interest in Henry De Bromhead's lightly raced nine-year-old Lets Go Champ on this step back to two and a half miles; Mike O'Connor can claim three.

Lets Go Champ is the each-way suggestion, at the time of writing 11/1 with William Hill and Ladbrokes, both paying four places. 

Finally, it's early days, I know, but glancing at Sunday's Greatwood Hurdle (3.30 Cheltenham) northern raiders Cracking Rhapsody and Florida Dreams are closely matched on form and both are of interest at around 25/1.