2022 Cheltenham Gold Cup: we assess the leading contenders for the big race

With exactly five weeks to go until the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (3.30, Friday, March 18), the outlook of the race seems decidedly murky after a series of inconclusive trials threw up a host of contenders. Here, we assess the leading candidates for a particularly open running of the Cheltenham Festival's showpiece event . . .

Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (March 18): racecard and betting

A Plus Tard

Form (since start of last season): 212-12

Strengths and weaknesses: Has shown the speed required to beat Chacun Pour Soi over 2m1f, and the stamina to have won a Savills Chase and Betfair Chase (where he earned an RPR of 180). He was only a length and a quarter off Minella Indo last year and should be reaching his peak as an eight-year-old (six of the last nine winners have come from that age group).

He looks the one to beat, although his jumping arguably cost him victory last year and he was caught by Galvin when bidding for a Savills Chase repeat in December.

Odds: 3-1

What they say:Henry de Bromhead, trainer (after finishing second in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown, December 28)

"You never like to get beaten, but I thought he jumped really well there. It's probably the best I've seen his jumping, so that was definitely a positive to take out of it."

Galvin

Form (since start of last season): 11111-121

Strengths and weaknesses: Hugely reliable, has form around Cheltenham and is guaranteed to stay up the hill having won the National Hunt Chase over almost four furlongs further last year.

Seemed to be more of a Grand National horse in the making at the start of the season, but has thoroughly earned his market position as second favourite and given the prominent role his stamina played in beating A Plus Tard at Christmas, his backers will be confident of a repeat in this stiffer test.

Odds: 4-1

What they say:Gordon Elliott, trainer (after winning the Savills Chase at Leopardstown, December 28)

"We started off having a bit of fun around Perth with him and he has never let us down. He's the horse of a lifetime. He stays like hell and we'll go straight to the Gold Cup now."

Minella Indo

Form (since start of last season): 11F41-3P2

Strengths and weaknesses: Absolutely thrives around Cheltenham having won the 2019 Albert Bartlett and been narrowly denied by Champ in the 2020 RSA before winning this race last year. Has struggled to back that up and major doubts were being expressed (not by connections, it must be said) after he was beaten by Frodon and Galvin at Down Royal on his return before a no-show in the King George.

However, he looked more like his old self when runner-up to Conflated in the Irish Gold Cup and arrived at Cheltenham last year with a not dissimilar profile. Could once again be peaking at the right time.

Odds: 5-1

What they say:Henry de Bromhead, trainer (after finishing second in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown, February 5)

"It was lovely to see him performing like that again. The winner won well but we went there trying to get back on track and I felt we really did that, so I'm delighted with him."

Al Boum Photo

Form (since start of last season): 13-21

Strengths and weaknesses: The 2019 and 2020 winner has not finished outside of the first three in a race he has completed in almost five years and he still oozes class.

Paul Townend celebrates after Al Boum Photo's second Cheltenham Gold Cup triumphCredit: Edward Whitaker

After finishing a respectable third last year, his trainer Willie Mullins expressed his wish to run him more regularly this season, but has so far only been able to get him out for his traditional appearance at Tramore on New Year's Day, where he won easily for a fourth time. Now aged ten, he could be vulnerable again to the younger, improving types.

Odds: 8-1

What they say:Willie Mullins, trainer (after winning the New Years’ Day Chase at Tramore, January 1)

"He did everything right bar fluffing one fence. Paul said he was just a bit idle in front. Other than that, it went well. I'd like to get some form of a run into him [before Cheltenham] if something came up, but I'm not thinking beyond today."

Protektorat

Form (since start of last season): 11221-21

Strengths and weaknesses: Has won twice around Cheltenham and showcased his stamina with an effortless victory in a stamina-sapping Many Clouds Chase in December.

That Aintree form doesn't appear the strongest given the runner-up was an aging and now-retired Native River, but at seven, he is the youngest of the main contenders and remains open to progress. There has only been one British-trained Gold Cup winner in the last six years and the balance of power appears to lie strongly in Ireland.

Odds: 8-1

What they say:John Hales, co-owner (after winning the Many Clouds Chase at Aintree, December 4)

"I think he's in with a very serious chance. We have every reason to believe he'll have no problem with the course. He's done well at Cheltenham and all being well, we're confident he'll be able to give a good account of himself in March."

Conflated

Form (since start of last season): 321314-U211

Strengths and weaknesses: Came from pretty much nowhere to throw his name into the ring with a surprisingly convincing victory at the Dublin Racing Festival last weekend.

Conflated: travelled like a dream for Davy Russell in the Irish Gold Cup at LeopardstownCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

His Gold Cup entry had appeared speculative at best before then and the challenge now is to prove that run was no fluke. Evidently, he has not been the easiest to train and his jumping can be unpredictable, but he also has bundles of talent and if things fall his way he could spring another surprise.

Odds: 10-1

What they say:Gordon Elliott, trainer (after winning the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown, February 5)

"He has a massive engine but he's not very straightforward. He's very hot and cold, and he was hot today. We've got the Gold Cup, Ryanair and Grand National as options. We'll have a chat with everyone and make a decision."

Other contenders

falls into a similar category to Conflated in that he was a surprise winner of the King George and must prove it wasn't a one-off. is another proven at Cheltenham with wins in last year's Marsh and the Cotswold last month, while Royale Pagaille produced a superb weight-carrying performance to win his second Peter Marsh Handicap Chase at Haydock in January. He has another chance to showcase his credentials in Saturday's Denman Chase.

Expert verdict: 'I'd be confident enough to predict a new name will grace the race'

I don't think we're looking at an outstanding set of staying chasers this season and would be confident enough to predict a new name will grace the race, along with the new sponsor.

The problem is picking out which one. I don't like the Savills form, so am happy to discount A Plus Tard and Galvin. Minella Indo doesn't look the same horse who won the race last year and I couldn't be having Conflated on my mind for a Gold Cup. He surely isn't good enough.

Protektorat isn't good enough yet, but he's only seven and could find what’s required, while I wouldn't completely discount Chantry House. He will probably be better in a strongly run race.

Royale Pagaille would be a player on soft ground too, so at this stage the race is still open.
Graeme Rodway, deputy betting editor

Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (3.30, March 18)

Sky Bet: 3 A Plus Tard, 7-2 Galvin, 5 Minella Indo, 8 Protektorat, Al Boum Photo, 10 Conflated, 11 Tornado Flyer, 14 Chantry House, 16 bar

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