The key questions on day two of Cheltenham’s November meeting as Paddy Power Gold Cup field is confirmed
Day two of the November meeting at Cheltenham on Saturday is expected to throw up plenty of clues for the season ahead. From the feature Paddy Power Gold Cup to the Grade 2 Arkle Trial, we look at some of the key talking points.
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Can Ireland end its Paddy Power Gold Cup hoodoo?
It is hard to believe that, despite the ongoing Irish dominance at Cheltenham, the visitors have consistently come up short in the £160,000 Paddy Power Gold Cup (2.20).
Since Bright Highway’s victory in 1980, only Tranquil Sea (2009) has managed to secure the trophy for Ireland, but that record could soon change with a quintet of representatives this time round.
Coming Up Easy completed a hat-trick for Henry de Bromhead when landing a Listed race at Killarney in August, while stablemate Theatre Native enjoyed a promising prep run when third at Limerick last month and has the added benefit of a win at Cheltenham’s April meeting last season.
Gavin Cromwell is also double-handed in the race, with festival runner-up Thecompanysergeant bidding to go one better than when beaten by Paddy Power favourite Jagwar in the Plate back in March. The Other Mozzie, a Grade 3 winner at Ayr last term, also runs for the stable.
Jagwar: Plate winner is back in action in the Paddy Power Gold CupCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)
Three-time winner Conyers Hill is the other Irish contender for Paul Nolan.
In terms of the challenge from Britain, Dan Skelton is eyeing his first victory in the race as he saddles Panic Attack, Riskintheground and Hoe Joly Smoke, while last year’s winner Il Ridoto is back to defend his crown for Paul Nicholls, who himself chases a third successive victory.
Jagwar Jonjo O’Neill Jr
The Other Mozzie Eoin Staples
Bad Ben Jones
Thecompanysergeant Keith Donoghue
Riskintheground Tristan Durrell
Il Ridoto Harry Cobden
Coming Up Easy Darragh O’Keeffe
Vincenzo Dylan Johnston
Theatre Native Sean Bowen
Panic Attack Harry Skelton
Conyers Hill TBC
Es Perfecto Tom Bellamy
Hoe Joly Smoke Kielan Woods
Hunter Legend Charlie Deutsch
Issar d’Airy Freddie Mitchell
Will we see subsequent Grade 1 winners in the Arkle trial?
The Grade 2 Arkle Trial (1.45) has produced some big winners in the past, and a small but competitive field of six head to post for this one.
L’Eau Du Sud scored in this race 12 months ago en route to winning the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown, while last season’s King George hero Banbridge triumphed in this race in 2022. Third Time Lucki, Eldorado Allen and Put The Kettle On are all previous winners too.
This time round, De Bromhead is responsible for ante-post favourite July Flower, who made an eye-catching debut over fences when running out an 11-length winner at Limerick last month. She has already been pitched into Grade 1 company, finishing fifth in both the Mares’ Hurdle and Mares Champion Hurdle, and is clearly well thought of.
July Flower: made a winning chase debut at Limerick last monthCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)
Burdett Road, a winner in last year’s Greatwood Hurdle and the Grade 2 Triumph Hurdle trial at this meeting in 2023, has been declared to make his chasing debut for James Owen.
Skelton will bid for a second successive win in the race with Be Aware, who got off the mark over fences at Stratford last month, while Stencil, Brentford Hope and Breaking Cover complete the field.
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Can James Owen complete a Grade 2 hat-trick?
The Newmarket trainer has often targeted the opening Triumph Hurdle Trial (12.35), having been successful with Burdett Road and East India Dock in the past two years, and he has two contenders to attempt the three-peat.
East India Dock: won on this card 12 months agoCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)
Hallelujah U is the yard’s best chance, according to the betting, and he is making his first outing in this sphere. A dual winner from nine starts on the Flat, he is one of two representatives for the Gredley family.
The other candidate is Kate O’Riley, who justified 1-4 favouritism when winning on her hurdling debut at Ludlow last month. The eye-catching booking of champion jockey Sean Bowen looks notable.
A final field of 12 will head to post in the race, with French hurdle winner Precious Man the leading fancy for Skelton ahead of Parchment, who also won over hurdles in France before joining David Pipe.
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