Gold Cup preview: Kauto can prove ascendant over fading rival star
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The 82nd running of the week's centrepiece should provide an "I-was-there" moment. Kauto Star (3.20), going for his third Cheltenham Gold Cup, is poised to seal his greatness. The race has been hyped as the best-of-three decider between the defending champion and his Paul Nicholls-stablemate Denman, but that moment came and went last year and Denman has increasingly looked like a horse falling out of love with his job.
Nicholls provides two others in the 11-strong field, My Will and Tricky Trickster, who are taking the race back to its roots by using it as a Grand National prep.
Tricky Trickster is progressive but the main threat from one of the upwardly mobile younger division is likely to come from Cooldine, who produced his best performance since winning last year's RSA Chase at Leopardstown last month.
Last year's Albert Bartlett Hurdle winner, Weapon's Amnesty, took the RSA Chase two days ago. Another chaser in the making, Quel Esprit (2.40), can find compensation for a fall earlier in the week. The winner of the day's other Grade One contest may also merit attention; the last three have been Katchit, Celestial Halo and Zaynar, respectively first, second and third in subsequent Champion Hurdles. Today, Alaivan (1.30) can turn the tables on his Leopardstown conqueror Carlito Brigante.
Any Given Day (2.05) could go well at a price in the County Hurdle, as could Drybrook Bedouin (4.00) in the Foxhunter. In the closing handicaps C'est Ca (4.40) and Beggars Cap (5.15) are suggested.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments