2022 Cheltenham Gold Cup: the runners, the odds, the verdict

The first three from last year's Cheltenham Gold Cup are back to do battle in this year's big race, as well as a British-trained wildcard and the winners of the Cotswold Chase and King George VI Chase, in an epic. Our Spotlight experts have their say . . .

3.30 Cheltenham: Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup racecard and betting

1 Al Boum Photo

Won this in 2019 and 2020; good third last year despite small mistakes; headgear on

Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Paul Townend
Odds: 13-2

2 A Plus Tard

Close second to Minella Indo in this 2021; brilliant reappearance; Galvin too strong latest

Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
Jockey: Rachael Blackmore
Odds: 11-4

3 Asterion Forlonge

Failed to complete in four of first nine chases; below best since latest fall in King George

Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Bryan Cooper
Odds: 25-1

4 Aye Right

Game stayer; very good third over 3m1f here in January but lots more needed in this company

Trainer: Harriet Graham & Gary Rutherford
Jockey: Callum Bewley
Odds: 80-1

5 Chantry House

Star novice in 2021; pulled up in King George; won in cheekpieces since; doubts crept in

Trainer: Nicky Henderson
Jockey: Nico de Boinville
Odds: 16-1

6 Galvin

Stout stayer; keeps improving; indomitable effort took him past A Plus Tard last time

Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Jockey: Davy Russell
Odds: 7-2

7 Minella Indo

Very good winner of this race last year; had a difficult season but encouraging run latest

Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
Jockey: Robbie Power
Odds: 13-2

8 Protektorat

Pulled hard but found plenty when charging home over 3m1f at Aintree; needs to settle

Trainer: Dan Skelton
Jockey: Harry Skelton
Odds: 11-1

9 Royale Pagaille

Finished lame in this last year; no match for A Plus Tard on return; recent rain a plus

Trainer: Venetia Williams
Jockey: Charlie Deutsch
Odds: 16-1

10 Santini

Close second in 2020 Gold Cup; not the same horse since; better latest but unlikely in this

Trainer: Polly Gundry
Jockey: Nick Scholfield
Odds: 50-1

11 Tornado Flyer

Strong finish to win 3m King George at Kempton; much stiffer test today but has potential

Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Danny Mullins
Odds: 9-1

Expert tips: why this horse can win the 2022 Cheltenham Gold Cup

The verdict

Minella Indo has a good chance again but Galvin just keeps on improving and looks sure to be suited by this test.

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Best bookmaker offers: how to make the most of your Cheltenham Festival betting

Sign up to William Hill here and get a Racing Post exclusive price of 70-1 on A Plus Tard to win the Gold Cup. New customers using EPA70. Applies to bets placed from 09:00 9th March 2022 until 15:30 18th March 2022. Max £1 bet at 70-1. Returns paid as 3 x £20 & 1 x £10 free bets (30-day expiry). Player and currency restrictions and terms apply. 18+. Begambleaware.org. Sign up here.