Racing Post Gold Cup: Timeform's runner-by-runner guide

TF Tips
10 December 2021

Rachael Blackmore has a great chance in the Racing Post Gold Cup

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Timeform bring you their comprehensive runner-by-runner guide to the Racing Post Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday and pick out their 1-2-3.

Racing Post Gold Cup
13:50 Cheltenham, Saturday
Live on ITV4

1. Cepage (Venetia Williams/Charlie Deutsch)
Very smart chaser who posted another good run when fourth of 16 in Ultima handicap here (25f) in March. Goes well fresh, so he returns well in the mix. Yard may hold stronger claims with Farinet here, however.

2. Midnight Shadow (Sue Smith/Ryan Mania)
Has a very good record at this track, and he put up a career best when gamely winning the Paddy Power Gold Cup here 28 days ago. Hit with a 7 lb rise for that success, but he can make his presence felt again.

3. Fusil Raffles (Nicky Henderson/Daryl Jacob)
Very smart chaser who arrives on back of a rather fortuitous win in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby (24.2f) 42 days ago by four and a quarter lengths from Kitty's Light. Effective at this shorter trip and he's much respected for leading connections.

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4. Lalor (Paul Nicholls/Harry Cobden)
Smart chaser who got back on track on his first start for this yard and a wind operation when third of 19 to Midnight Shadow in the Paddy Power Gold Cup here last month. Cheekpieces refitted now, and he's firmly in the picture.

5. Silver Hallmark (Fergal O'Brien/Nico de Boinville)
Lightly-raced chaser who landed a Haydock Grade 2 in January. Resumed from nine months off with good fourth to Fiddlerontheroof in a Carlisle listed chase (20f), so he needs considering with more to come.

6. Zanza (Philip Hobbs/Tom O'Brien)
Very useful chaser who has posted solid efforts this term when third in Exeter's Haldon Gold Cup and sixth in the Paddy Power Gold Cup here. He's one for the shortlist nudged up just 1 lb.

7. Dostal Phil (Philip Hobbs/Aidan Coleman)
Low-mileage chaser who resumed his progress when fourth of 19 to Midnight Shadow in the Paddy Power Gold Cup here, where all of his best work was at the finish. Another with possibilities off only a 1 lb higher mark.

8. Francky du Berlais (Peter Bowen/Sean Bowen)
In fine form in the spring/summer when landing the Summer Plate at Market Rasen. Only eighth of 13 in the Grand Sefton Handicap at Aintree (21f) 35 days ago, though, so he needs to get back on track, and this looks tough.

9. Siruh du Lac (David Pipe/Tom Scudamore)
Smart chaser who has been seen sparingly since 2019. Shaped as if needing the run after 11 months off back over hurdles here in October, so this course and distance winner is no forlorn hope off a reduced mark for a yard that like to target this race.

10. Coole Cody (Evan Williams/Adam Wedge)
Likable course and distance winner who was in process of running well (in a clear second) when falling two out in the Paddy Power Gold Cup here last month. Tough sort who must enter calculations off the same mark now.

11. Deyrann de Carjac (Alan King/Brendan Powell)
Very lightly raced since his Grade 2 win in 2019/20, but he wasn't disgraced when eleventh to Midnight Shadow in the Paddy Power Gold Cup here last month. More is needed now, however.

12. Farinet (Venetia Williams/Rachael Blackmore)
Low-mileage ex-French chaser who looked a smart prospect when landing a Sandown listed handicap (20f) in March on only second run for current yard. Up 8 lb but he is unexposed and sure has more to offer, so rates a big player for an in-form yard.

13. Joke Dancer (Sue Smith/Sean Quinlan)
Very useful winning chaser at his best. Failed to stay upped to 25f and well held when falling at the last in handicap at Haydock 21 days ago, but is no forlorn hope now off a falling mark.

14. Beakstown (Dan Skelton/Harry Skelton)
Lightly-raced chaser who returned from 20 months off with good third in a 20f handicap at Aintree last month. In excellent hands, and possibilities if building on that effort now.

15. Topofthecotswolds (Nigel Twiston-Davies/Sam Twiston-Davies)
Returned to his best when second in a 19f Wetherby handicap but unseated rider at the first at Newbury 14 days ago. Sort to bounce back for a yard that do well here.

Timeform Analyst Verdict

Loads with chances in a cracking handicap, but the unexposed ex-French chaser Farinet returns on a good mark and is taken to continue Venetia Williams' fine recent run by claiming his biggest prize yet. Paddy Power Gold Cup hero Midnight Shadow seems sure to make a good fist of it, and both Silver Hallmark and Lalor are two others fancied to take a step forward and have a say too.

1. Farinet
2. Midnight Shadow
3. Silver Hallmark

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