Paddy Power Gold Cup and Greatwood Hurdle: who do the trends favour in the big handicaps at Cheltenham this weekend?

Harry Cobden celebrates Paddy Power Gold Cup glory after surviving a final-fence scare aboard Stage Star

Stage Star: winner of last year's Paddy Power Gold CupCredit: Edward Whitaker

The Paddy Power Gold Cup (2.20) and Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle (3.30) are the big betting races at Cheltenham this weekend. We have used previous trends to assess who is best placed to land these contests . . .

Paddy Power Gold Cup (2.20 Cheltenham, Saturday)

Form

Eight of the last ten winners had won a Class 1 or 2 race, while four of the last five winners had won at Listed level or above.

Age

Eight of the last ten winners were aged seven, eight or nine.

Experience

Eight of the last ten winners had raced six or more times over fences.

Course

Nine of the last ten winners had posted a top-three finish at Cheltenham before; the exception was making his course debut. Six of the last ten winners had already won at Cheltenham.

Verdict

Ginny's Destiny ticks plenty of boxes here being a three-time course winner who raced six times over fences last season. Weveallbeencaught is yet to score in seven starts over fences but is a hurdles winner at Cheltenham and could give the selection the most to think about.

Ginny's Destiny14:20 Cheltenham

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Jky: Harry Cobden Tnr: Paul Nicholls

Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle (3.30 Cheltenham, Sunday)

Form

Nine of the last ten winners had already run in a Class 1 contest.

Age

Nine of the last ten winners were aged five, six or seven.

Experience

Nine of the last ten winners had raced ten times or fewer over hurdles before.

Course

Seven of the last ten winners had run at Cheltenham before.

Verdict

Dysart Enos could be well handicapped off an opening mark of 131, but on the back of just three hurdles starts she would be less experienced than a typical winner. At bigger prices, Jacovec Cavern and Fiercely Proud look the two to focus on. The former is respected for 2020 Greatwood-winning trainer Emmet Mullins, but the Ben Pauling-trained runner was still in contention when falling two out at Ascot last time and was a Listed bumper winner at this track last year.