2022 Paddy Power Gold Cup: the runners, the odds, the verdict

Saturday's feature race at Cheltenham is the Paddy Power Gold (2.20), in which French Dynamite heads the betting. Can the Mouse Morris-trained runner claim another Cheltenham success for the Irish or will the British challengers, including Stolen Silver for the in-form Sam Thomas, claim a home victory? Here's our runner-by-runner guide.

Paddy Power Gold Cup (2.20 Cheltenham, Saturday)

1 Mister Fisher

This is a rare drop back in class but he failed to show his form in this contest in 2020

Trainer: Nicky Henderson
Jockey: James Bowen
SP forecast: 14-1

2 Editeur De Gite

Non-runner

3 Simply The Betts

Creditable sixth in the last two runnings of this race; should again give his running

Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Jockey: David Maxwell
SP forecast: 14-1

4 Coole Cody

The winner of three major handicaps here, including this contest in 2020; tougher mark now

Trainer: Evan Williams
Jockey: Adam Wedge
SP forecast: 12-1

5 Happygolucky

Non-runner

6 Stolen Silver

Emphatic winner of Grade 2 handicap here when last seen; yard is in great form; respected

Trainer: Sam Thomas
Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
SP forecast: 6-1

7 French Dynamite

Irish challenger; form of most recent chase effort has worked out well; big player

Trainer: Mouse Morris
Jockey: Darragh O'Keeffe
SP forecast: 9-2 favourite

8 Midnight River

Second-season chaser who scored easily at Stratford on reappearance; has to be feared

Trainer: Dan Skelton
Jockey: Harry Skelton
SP forecast: 11-1

9 Umbrigado

Won over hurdles last month; defied this mark in Grade 3 handicap chase at Newbury in 2021

Trainer: David Pipe
Jockey: Tom Scudamore
SP forecast: 12-1

10 Nassalam

Return to left-handed track should suit but still has something to prove in a big field

Trainer: Gary Moore
Jockey: Jamie Moore
SP forecast: 16-1

11 Ga Law

Promising comeback in the Old Roan at Aintree; major player provided he doesn't bounce

Trainer: Jamie Snowden
Jockey: Jonathan Burke
SP forecast: 6-1

12 Il Ridoto

Retains potential but gives the impression he may ideally need a drop back in distance

Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Jockey: Harry Cobden
SP forecast: 8-1

13 Slate House

Unlucky in this race in 2019; last two efforts leave something to be desired

Trainer: Joe Tizzard
Jockey: Brendan Powell
SP forecast: 40-1

14 Storm Control

His two course wins came over 3m1f/3m2f; something to prove in this major 2m4f prize

Trainer: Kerry Lee
Jockey: Richard Patrick
SP forecast: 40-1

15 Galahad Quest

Creditable fifth off 4lb higher in this contest 12 months ago; likely to go well again

Trainer: Jane Williams
Jockey: David Noonan
SP forecast: 8-1

16 Deyrann De Carjac

Had some Grade 3 form here last term but he's on a three-year losing spell

Trainer: Alan King
Jockey: Harry Kimber
SP forecast: 14-1

The verdict

The vote goes to Stolen Silver, who should have more to offer. French Dynamite is feared most ahead of Galahad Quest.

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