Cheltenham Gold Cup 2021 Picks
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The 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup happens Friday, March 19. A Grade 1 National Hunt race covering 3 miles, 2 furlongs, and 70 yards, its tradition as one of the best races of the jumps season dates back to 1924. Al Boum Photo is favored to win his third straight edition, though it will be no easy test.
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| Horses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Al Boum Photo |
+275 | +270 | +250 |
|
A Plus Tard |
+450 | +450 | +550 |
|
Champ |
+450 | +500 | +600 |
|
Royale Pagaille |
+750 | +700 | +900 |
|
Santini |
+1400 | +1300 | +1100 |
|
Native River |
+1600 | +1400 | +1500 |
Cheltenham Gold Cup Field
The field for the 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup includes:
-
A Plus Tard - Rachael Blackmore
-
Al Boum Photo - Paul Townend
-
Aso - Daryl Jacob
-
Black Op - Tom Scudamore
-
Champ - Nico de Boinville
-
Frodon - Bryony Frost
-
Kemboy - Danny Mullins
-
Lostintranslation - Robbie Power
-
Minella Indo - Jack Kennedy
-
Native River - Richard Johnson
-
Royale Pagaille - Charlie Deutsch
-
Santini - Aidan Coleman
Cheltenham Gold Cup Runners and Prices
Let's have a look at the prices for the Cheltenham Gold Cup runners.
Al Boum Photo Favored
Trainer Willie Mullins has won the Cheltenham Gold Cup the last two years with Al Boum Photo. He returns favored. The nine-year-old has only raced once since winning the Festival feature last year, but that was a 19-length victory in the Savill's New Year's Day Chase (G3). He aims to be the first three-time Gold Cup winner since Best Mate in 2002-2004.
Champ Is Back
Trainer Nicky Henderson's top hope for a third Gold Cup win is Champ. He won the RSA Insurance Novices' Chase (G1) at the Cheltenham Festival last year. He had wind surgery and spelled after that, but his return in the Betfair Game Spirit Chase (G2) on February 21 was a smart second behind Sceau Royal.
A Plus Tard Improving
A Plus Tard finished third in the Ryanair Chase (G1) last year at the Cheltenham Festival and has returned well this season. The Henry de Bromhead trainee missed by half a length in the Tote Fortria Chase (G2) November 8, then rallied to win the Savills Chase (G1) December 28 by half a length over Kemboy.
Royale Pagaille Steps Up
Royale Pagaille only achieved his first win over fences at Haydock on December 2. The Venetia Williams charge won a handicap on December 27, then trounced his foes by 16 lengths in the Peter Marsh Handicap Chase (G2) on January 23. He faces his toughest challenge yet in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Placegetters Santini, Lostintranslation Return
Santini came within a neck of spoiling Al Boum Photo's Cheltenham Gold Cup repeat last year. The Nicky Henderson charge has not won in three starts since his close call at Cheltenham, and most recently ran third in the Virgin Bet Cotswold Chase (G2) February 6.
Lostintranslation, third last year, pulled up in the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase (G1) on December 26. After wind surgery, he returned to run fifth behind Frodon in the Betfair Denman Chase (G2) on February 21.
Cheltenham Gold Cup Long Shots
- Kemboy, the second-string entrant for Willie Mullins, has a solid form. Only seventh in last year's Gold Cup, he hasn't been worse than second in three starts since, including a close second behind Gold Cup contender A Plus Tard and a victory in the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup (G1) February 7.
- Minella Indo, the second entrant for Henry de Bromhead, has been strong at Cheltenham. He won the Spa Novice's Hurdle (G1) in 2019 and ran second to Champ in the RSA Insurance Novices' Chase last year, though disappointed in the Irish Gold Cup.
- Frodon makes his first start since winning the King George VI on December 26. He is a horse for the Cheltenham course, with six wins there already, and trainer Paul Nicholls is high on his chances.
- Native River won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2018. He comes into this year's edition off a nine-and-a-half-length win in the Virgin Bet Cotswold Chase (G2) on February 6.
- Aso, the second string from the Venetia Williams yard, has been second in a pair of starts this year but will need to move significantly forward to handle this Grade 1 company.
- Black Op has been unplaced in three starts since a ten-month layoff and was most recently a well-beaten sixth behind Frodon in the King George VI.
Picking Cheltenham Gold Cup Winners
The last 21 winners of the Cheltenham Gold Cup have been under age nine, and ages seven to nine make up the sweet spot. Most of the field is in the 7-9 range, though Native River (11), Black Op (10), and Aso (11) are on the older side.
It also matters to look at horses who do well at Cheltenham. Al Boum Photo has won the Gold Cup twice, and Native River is also a Gold Cup winner. Frodon has won six times at Cheltenham as well, and Champ and Minella Indo are also Festival winners.
Betting the Cheltenham Gold Cup Online
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Cheltenham Gold Cup Expert Picks
Al Boum Photo will take beating in this spot, though longshot Frodon is a Cheltenham specialist in fine fettle. Champ is another improving sort, and Native River's last start suggests he can turn back the clock.
- $10 Win Al Boum Photo
- $10 Each-Way Frodon
- $1 Trifecta Box: Al Boum Photo, Frodon, Champ
- $1 Superfecta Box: Al Boum Photo, Frodon, Champ, Native River
