When we think of specialist tracks, the mind should be drawn to Fakenham's continuously-turning circuit or Fontwell's dizzying figure-of-eight chase track, not a course on which championships are decided. Indeed, there's little that's specialist about Cheltenham- if you can handle some undulations then all should be well- but the draw of National Hunt's most esteemed track means that specialists are created by chance rather than design, with contenders turning up meeting after meeting, season after season, in hope of that big-race win.
This effect is arguably seen most clearly in the programme of handicap chases held over around two and a half miles (the exact distance depending on whether the Old or New Course is in use). Poquelin is your obvious starting point, but other regulars such as Calgary Bay, Stan, Private Be and Fondmort have been defined by their exploits over this familiar C&D. These stalwarts rarely get their turn at the Open Meeting (Paddy Power Gold Cup) or the Festival (Festival Plate), but in between the stage is often theirs.
The Paddy Power was of course won by Al Ferof, who looks set to tackle the King George instead of attempting the double in the December Gold Cup, a feat last achieved by Exotic Dancer in 2006. Indeed, this race looks pretty much devoid of any with designs on taking a Grade 1 before season's end, so it looks a good chance for one of the regulars.
With that said, we must first give due consideration to the horses that look unexposed. Unioniste clearly deserves a mention, as he's only a four-year-old and has had just two starts in this country for Paul Nicholls. He's certainly done little wrong thus far, winning at Aintree and finishing third to Dynaste over a very similar C&D at the Open Meeting. You certainly wouldn't have much to worry about in terms of Unioniste's jumping, either, going on evidence to date, but one concern would be whether this will prove his trip; he shaped like something of a stayer behind Dynaste and is a half-brother to stout stayer My Will.
Unioniste is currently vying for favouritism with Walkon, who finished second to Al Ferof and clear of the rest in the Paddy Power. The handicapper has since acted, handing out a rise of 5 lb which in itself doesn't look to have overdone things, but there will always be some doubts over Walkon's jumping, to the extent that he's unlikely to ever quite match his very smart hurdles form. With that considered, he's something of a hard sell for this at around 6.411/2.
One who catches the eye at the weights is Notus de La Tour. His experience of this C&D extends to precisely three fences, that being how long he lasted before falling in March's Festival Plate, but that error was rather uncharacteristic- indeed, he'd been mixing it in Grade 1 novices over shorter earlier in the season and impressing with his jumping all the while. He has the stamina and ability to do himself justice here, while his prominent racing style can also be an advantage in races like this, so he is well worth consideration.
Notus de La Tour is probably the pick of the young 'uns, but there are a couple of more experienced types down the market who arguably appeal as better value. First up is Micheal Flips, fourth in last season's Jewson behind Sir des Champs. He's also hit the frame in a Coral Cup, so it's not too difficult to overlook his efforts in handicap chases around here, let down by his jumping on New Year's Day and suffering interference in the Paddy Power. The latter occasion also represented a rare outing on such testing ground for Michael Flips (acknowledging he won the Lanzarote on ground described as heavy) and he's worth giving another chance to off a fairly attractive mark, especially considering his last run would suggest he's best over this sort of trip nowadays.
When talking about course regulars, however, few are as well qualified in this field as Divers, a Festival winner over (essentially) C&D back in 2011. He was also third in the Paddy Power and fourth in the Festival Plate the following season, so it's clear that he saves his best for round here. Divers' reappearance can be safely put to one side, as he often comes on for his first run, while the fact his yard are now in better form also encourages.
Ultimately, this is an open renewal of the December Gold Cup, with the field lacking the sparkle of some similar races. As mentioned above, the door looks ajar for one of the experienced campaigners around here, with the potentially well-handicapped pair of Micheal Flips and Divers making most appeal. They are ultimately hard to split, though with the latter's participation reported to be less than certain I'd recommend you side with Micheal Flips for now and 'go green' on Divers only once he's confirmed to run.
Recommendation
Back Micheal Flips @ 24.023/1 in the December Gold Cup
