Architect Tips provides a complete runners guide to the Bet365 Gold Cup and his two selections in the race.
Bet365 Gold Cup
As the jumps season comes to an epic conclusion at Sandown on Saturday, the trainers' championship between Dan Skelton and Willie Mullins goes down to the wire, with the bet365 Gold Cup likely to decide the outcome.
Willie Mullins is responsible for half of the max 20-runner field (10), headlined by last year’s winner Minella Cocooner, while Grangeclare West, who was deemed by as an unlucky loser by some in the Grand National at Aintree when third, is part of Willie’s army.
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Bet365 Gold Cup 2025 Runners Guide
Grangeclare West - 15/2
Top-class chaser, who finished runner-up in an Irish Gold Cup back in February, when splitting stablemates Galopin Des Champs and Fact To File. That form has been boosted and he was last seen posting a solid effort when third in the Grand National at Aintree on handicap debut last time out.
The nine-year-old may have won but for a mistake at the last fence, so a 5lb rise seems relatively lenient. He will need a personal best if he’s to defy a mark of 168, but a reproduction of his latest effort should see him competitive. The three-week turnaround is a bit of a concern, though.
Minella Cocooner - 7/1
Was given a peach of a ride by Danny Mullins to win this race twelve months ago. Lots to like about the way he travelled and jumped in the Grand National last time out, where he looked likely to go close having held every chance jumping the final fence before the petrol gauge flickered and he eventually finished seventh.
A 1lb lower mark back down in trip can only benefit him, so being only 4lb higher than when he won this last year, he has solid place claims if this doesn’t come too soon.
Threeunderthrufive - 18/1
Smart chaser who turned in a rare poor effort when pulled up in the Grand National when last seen. Only had the three starts this season, but he could fare no better than 13th in this last year off only a 2lb higher mark, and others have stronger claims on recent evidence.
Dancing City - 6/1
High-class staying novice hurdler last season, who completed the Aintree and Punchestown double. Won his first couple of starts in this sphere, which included a Grade 3 event, but weakened out of contention in the Brown Advisory at the Cheltenham Festival after a crucial late mistake and fell in the Mildmay at Aintree when last seen.
That’s hardly ideal heading into a handicap of this nature, but he does bring a touch of class to the race, and a mark of 151 seems reasonable. If Jonjo can get a tune out of him, the eight-year-old should be thereabouts. He does have stamina to prove, but he might well appreciate the step up in trip, so he’s not to be underestimated.
High Class Hero - 4/1
Likeable type with six wins and three seconds from just 10 starts under rules. Has won once and placed second twice on three starts so far in this sphere and is interestingly the choice of Paul Townend.
He could be well handicapped off a mark of 148 and he’s often shaped as though he would like an extreme test of stamina. If he jumps well and stays the trip, there’s every chance of him going close.
It’s worth pointing out that he was pulled out of the Scottish National in favour of this race. I do think he’s a little bit short in the betting for what he’s achieved, but he’s respected and went close behind Dancing City at Punchestown last season.
Victtorino - 16/1
Progressive chaser who boosted his excellent Ascot record when winning the Swinley and Silver Cup earlier in the season. Yet to win outside of Berkshire in the UK, but he’s not been given many opportunities, and he can be forgiven for his effort in the Ultima last time out when pulled up. He could bounce back and run well, but has stamina doubts, and a few others look better treated.
Monbeg Genius - 33/1
Finished a good fourth in the Welsh National back in December before ending a long losing run when successful at Uttoxeter on his next start.
He was pulled up at Aintree last time out, but he doesn’t have many miles on the board, and he could outrun his odds. That being said, others seem better handicapped, so a place might be the best he can hope for.
Lombron - 18/1
Has improved since going chasing, and having finished second at Gowran Park in February, he duly went one better at Clonmel last month, digging deep to see off Weateen Fold, having set a pretty strong gallop throughout.
This is clearly tougher, and yet to win over further than two and a half miles, let alone at this extreme distance, but he’s interesting, and Rachael Blackmore takes the ride.
Olympic Man - 20/1
Off the mark at the third time of asking over fences when scoring at Naas in March before looking a non-stayer when seventh in the Scottish National at Ayr a couple of weeks ago.
The drop in trip will therefore help, and the application of cheekpieces could eke out further improvement, but I suspect his handler has stronger candidates, so he’s passed over.
Resplendent Grey - 8/1
Plenty to like on paper. Olly Murphy’s charge has been racing lazily in his races of late, and having looked like he was going nowhere in the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, he stayed on well late on to finish fourth.
He won’t afford to get himself so far back in this race, but he ran well to finish runner-up in a Grade 2 here back in December and the addition of cheekpieces could just be what he needs.
He looks well handicapped off a mark of 141 and it would be a fitting way to cap off an unbelievable campaign for Sean Bowen, who captured the Irish National last week. I think he has place possibilities at least.
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O’Moore Park - 16/1
Not yet scored over fences but backed up his creditable Cheltenham Festival placed effort behind Caldwell Potter when second back there 10 days ago. He could improve for the step up in trip and Sean O’Keeffe does well for Willie on the outsiders.
He could go well if that latest run hasn’t taken too much out of him, but again, his handler appears to have superior contenders. All that said, it would come as no surprise to see him exceed market expectations.
Goshen - 33/1
Made hard work of getting off the mark over fences at Exeter last year but has run well in three starts this year and stayed on well to finish third here last time out. It’s very interesting to see him over this distance and his mark of 137 makes him well handicapped based on his hurdles form.
His record at this course below Grade 1 level is really good as well, which reads 11123, play the drying ground will suit. His stamina has to be taken on trust, but he has no weight on his back, and given his back class, this course specialist is worth a second look.
Spanish Harlem - 20/1
Not won since 2022 but showed a bit more park when running well in the Scottish National before he was carried out. On a low weight and nice mark with Sam Twiston-Davies booked to ride, but a personal best will be required if he’s to go well.
Collectors Item - 28/1
Stormed to Somerset National success on his penultimate outing at Wincanton, and ran well to finish second in the London National behind Mr Vango here in December.
However, he wasn’t in the same form when pulled up in the Eider Chase last time out, and is hard to fancy on the back of that performance. Still, his course record does give him a squeak if staging a revival.
Chosen Witness - 28/1
Was running a decent race in the Scottish National until he blinder four out which ended his chance. A clear round could see him go well, but it’s hard to believe in him putting in a smooth jumping display, and is hard to warm to.
King’s Threshold - 20/1
Wind surgery and the fitting of a tongue tie has really transformed this eight-year-old, who completed a hat trick of time when scoring at Newbury last month.
He is 8lb wrong at the weights though and this is a significant step up in grade. He cannot be passed over lightly, but I expect a few others to have his measure.
Transmission - 14/1
Has done very well this season, winning once and placing twice and stayed on well to finish a never-nearer fifth in the National Hunt Chase last time out. He’s 10lb out of the handicap here though, so he will need to step up on that recent effort to have a say in the matter.
Klarc Kent - 22/1
Produced an excellent effort to finish second in the Scottish National last time out, so although he’s 12lb out of the handicap, a repeat could see him outrun his odds once more. This is a quick turnaround though, with only a two-week break, so it remains to be seen how much that has taken out of him.
Hoe Joly Smoke - 14/1
Despite being wrong at the weights, this last-time-out course winner cannot be written off. Dan Skelton will need this horse to beat Willie Mullins in the race if he’s to potentially lift the trainers crown. This longer trip is a question mark, but he’s a sound jumper, and if he’s thereabouts at the pond fence, he could run well.
Knockanore - 40/1
Returned as a wide-margin winner of the Eider Chase two starts back but produced a sloppy round of jumping when only sixth in the Midlands National when last seen and this looks tougher, so he’s dismissed.
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Bet365 Gold Cup 2025 Tips & Predictions
RESPLENDENT GREY (best price 8/1) makes plenty of appeal. His record when the ground is no worse than good to soft, soft, reads 112124 and his latest fourth in the National Hunt Chase reads well. This track suits him better and his whole campaign seems to have been built around this event. In the cheekpieces, with Sean Bowen riding like a man possessed, he’s a serious each-way player. Five places widely available.
GOSHEN (best price 40/1) loves this venue and who could put it past him causing a roof-raising display at huge odds. The way he stayed on up the hill here last time suggested he may improve for this marathon test and conditions will be perfect for him. He’s very well handicapped and has no weight on his back, so he’s worth an interest at the odds. Five places are generally on offer.
