Cheltenham Gold Cup tips: Racing Post tipsters give their selections

Who are you backing in the Cheltenham Gold Cup? Some of the Racing Post's leading tipsters provide their fancies for the big race.

Lostintranslation

Undoubtedly one of the best races of the week with 12 superstar staying chasers set to fight out the biggest prize of them all – and it is easy to make a case for the vast majority of the field.

Al Boum Photo is fancied to retain his crown following a similar preparation but no horse has won back-to-back Gold Cups since Best Mate in 2004, while stablemate Kemboy is of each-way interest at the prices.

He will have to reverse Leopardstown form with Delta Work, which is a plausible theory over this trip, but Colin Tizzard's Lostintranslation might prove too good for all of them.

His breathing has been sorted out and I expect him to return to his imperious form before his King George blowout.
Tom Collins, The Punt

Chris's Dream

I'm going to try to get an outsider into the frame and Chris's Dream fits the bill for a trainer who is in form, Henry de Bromhead.

Chris's Dream: looks a gritty stayer in the making for his connectionsCredit: Caroline Norris

He wasn't quite in the class of last season's top novices, but two efforts this season, his runaway win in the Troytown at Navan in November and last month's Grade 2 success when conceding 12lb to Shattered Love over a too-short 2m4f at Gowran, suggests he's right on the heels of them now.

He certainly shapes as though he is going to relish a proper stamina test and the ground ought to still be easy enough for him to operate.
Paul Kealy, tipster

Lostintranslation

The trend for open-looking Gold Cups continues, with no obvious standout candidate.

It is not ideal to head into jumping's Blue Riband event off the back of a non-completion, but it was clear from a long way out in the King George something was not right with Lostintranslation and it transpired it was a breathing problem, which has led to his soft palate being cauterised.

If he had not run there he would be vying for favouritism here after bringing an end to Bristol De Mai’s unbeaten record at Haydock. That was another improvement on last season's JLT second and Grade 1 Aintree success and this talented eight-year-old deserves another chance.
Pietro Innocenzi, tipster

Clan Des Obeaux

I never thought I'd see the day when I fancied Clan Des Obeaux for a Gold Cup, but my opinion on him has changed recently. I had become convinced he wasn't a Cheltenham horse, but that might be a red herring.

Paul Nicholls' runner has plenty of form at the track and was right there jumping two out in last year's race only to falter up the hill.

Maybe he doesn't get up it, but he stayed on powerfully over 3m1f at Aintree on his next outing and he is worth another chance to prove this track suits.

Clan Des Obeaux: has been freshened up for the Gold CupCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Nicholls brings Clan Des Obeaux in fresh and has been bullish about his wellbeing in recent days. That might just make the difference this year.
Graeme Rodway, tipster

Lostintranslation

Beating Bristol De Mai at Haydock is only slightly easier than a trip to Anfield and Lostintranslation managed it in the Betfair Chase in November. That is the best staying chase performance of the season and he deserves to be right among the favourites for this.

Watch Lostintranslation win the Betfair Chase

He comes in off a poor run in the King George, which is less of a concern than his connections being unable to offer an explanation for the run. He has had plenty of time to get over it and, if able to get back on track, is in the best position to serve it up to defending champion Al Boum Photo.
Keith Melrose, betting editor

Read more:

A wide-open Gold Cup set to provide epic finale to a most unusual festival

Only the best: Al Boum Photo bidding to join shining roll of honour in Gold Cup

What's it like to win the Gold Cup? Find out from those who know

Joe Donnelly: who is the low-key owner behind Gold Cup hero Al Boum Photo?

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