March 13th, 2020

​Gone are the days of pent-up anticipation and expectation borne from the long cold months of winter. Those were the days, my friend, when the Gold Cup winner was almost certainly trained at Ditcheat, when Kauto Star and Denman were a mightier pairing than even William and Kate or Posh and Becks. Will we, or more precisely will I, see their likes again. Eventually, two or more horses will appear on the scene to attempt to fill their golden boots but as I write the sport is devoid of horses of their ability and charisma. Envoi Allen is in the wings, a horse who might be anything the fates allow him to be and I have a liking for The Big Getaway and Colin Tizzard has all those staying-chasers-in-the-making, surely there is another Cue Card or Thistlecrack amongst them. But at the moment the Gold Cup contenders are ‘simply’ good old sticks, any one of which is capable on his day of adding his name to a list that includes Golden Miller, Cottage Rake, Mill House, Best Mate, Captain Cristy, Desert Orchid and of course the best of the best, Arkle.
You could argue that on all-known form, especially this season, that neither Elegant Escape or Real Steel haven’t a hope this afternoon. Though fancying neither of them, it wouldn’t be a surprise in the regions of Norton’s Coin if either one of them out-run their odds. The other ten, though, are separated by not very much. I don’t believe that Al Boum Photo is that far ahead of any of his rivals and without Native River to force the pace this year’s renewal will be a slower kind of affair and that may not play to his strengths. It would not surprise me if he won but lightening striking twice in the same place is as rare as a horse winning consecutive Gold Cups.
On the ground as it was for the first two days, I would be three-star confident about the chances of Delta Work. He is solid, he boasts the best form this season, Gordon Elliott is having a mega Cheltenham and Mark Walsh is due one of the major prizes.
Last year I was big on Presenting Percy and it is a big nod in his direction that Davy Russell has chosen to stay loyal to him rather than getting his leg across Delta Work. But the ground, apparently, is of greater importance to him than Delta Work and if the ground continues to dry out there is even the possibility he will not even line-up.
I believe the better ground will find favour with Bristol De Mai, especially if he is allowed to jump away in front setting his own tempo. Clan Des Obeaux will obviously also favour the better ground but if you don’t stay the trip the ground has little bearing on the matter. Monalee will also not be inconvenienced by the drying ground; it should certainly help him last out the trip. Santini is a slogger, more of a Grand National winner to my mind than a Gold Cup winner. His advantages are his trainer and his jockey, a magic combination in my opinion.
Lostintranslation is the enigma of the race. I suspect he’ll either win or be pulled-up. I loved him last season and he is on my ten-to-follow list. Yet, like Paisley Park yesterday, there is a nagging doubt …
If pushed to nominate a 1,2,3, I would side with my gut feeling and suggest Delta Work to win, to be followed home by Kemboy and Clan Des Obeaux. Obviously, I would love Monalee and Rachael Blackmore to win as that would put horse racing back on the front pages of the newspapers tomorrow. But this, as Ted Walsh eloquently put it, is Cheltenham not Holloywood.
My tips yesterday were only marginally better than the two days that went before, the only highlight being Min.
Faugheen was third in a magnificent Golden Miller (sponsored by Marsh), beaten a single length by the wonderfully resurgent Samcro and Melon. Best race of the meeting so far. I hope Mr.Marsh was inspired enough by the sport to sign an extension to the sponsorship agreement. Relegate ran okay in the Pertemps. Min won at 2/1. Apple’s Jade raced herself into retirement. I had a non-runner in the 4-10. Minella Melody was a bitter disappointment in the mares novice and whatever I tipped in the Kim Muir it ran as if carrying a cloth of gold as overweight.
Tips for you to ignore today – I dared myself to do this all week and my saving grace as a human being is that I don’t forgive myself for letting anyone down.
The best Triumph Hurdle in years will go to Sir Psycho, my tip of the week. It is just the race for an unconsidered horse to upset an applecart of really nice young hurdlers.  Rathhill to defy an absence of 132 days in the County Hurdle. I saw Cobbler’s Way earlier in the season and thought him a good prospect when upped to 3-miles and will go with him to beat better fancied Irish raiders. Not a Thyme Hill fan, I’m afraid. Delta Work in the Gold Cup. Kalabaloo in the Foxhunters and finally in the last race of the 2020 Festival, Ballywood for Alan King.