December Gold Cup Handicap Chase

A total of 11 runners go to post for the Support The Hunt Family Fund December Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday and we’re 7/2 the field at the time of writing.

As you’d expect with a £125,000 Premier Handicap, it’s a competitive race but there are a couple that stand out to me at the current prices. Here, I weigh up the main runners and riders ahead of Saturday’s feature at Prestbury Park.

Jagwar Returns To Cheltenham

A non-runner in November’s Paddy Power Gold Cup, Jagwar makes his seasonal debut on Saturday and he has an excellent record at Cheltenham. He is 2-2 round here and he won the Plate Handicap Chase on the New Course in March.

With whispers suggesting the Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero yard are a month or so behind, you’d be a little concerned at just how ‘ready’ Jagwar will be. Since 1st October, the Cheshire-based operation are 8-106 and that tempts me to look elsewhere.

Obvious Claims For Vincenzo

I like the chances of VINCENZO in this race and his second to Panic Attack last month reads very well after Dan Skelton’s mare followed up in the Coral Gold Cup. He was put up 2lbs for finishing second but that looks lenient with Panic Attack now 12lbs higher.

The tongue-tie is applied once again and Sam Thomas’ mount looks primed to go one better than the Paddy Power Gold Cup. He’s finished in the first three on 11 of his 14 starts under rules and he should be on the premises again on Saturday afternoon.

Skelton Runner Also Considered

If you like the chances of Vincenzo, you’ll like the chances of Hoe Joly Smoke. He was left unchanged on 131 after finishing third in the Paddy Power Gold Cup so has a 2lbs swing with Vincenzo – and his supporters will fancy him to reverse that form.

He made up plenty of ground after a mistake at the second last but the front two had bolted, but he finished his race strongly. His form is rock solid, with his third to Three Card Brag in October boosted after Gordon Elliott’s runner finished second in the Coral Gold Cup.

Irish Raider To Follow

I’m a big fan of KIM ROQUE and he could be the fly in the ointment, after running a huge race on stable debut at Cheltenham last month. He brings a different line of form to the race, having finished second in a Novices Limited Handicap Chase.

He travelled strongly and jumped like a buck for most of that race but a peck on landing at the final fence knocked the stuffing out of him. He did well to regain momentum but had to settle for second, though may well have won with a better jump at the last.

Put up 5lbs for that run, he looks well treated off 125 (though is technically 3lbs out of the handicap) and he carries a featherweight on Saturday due to the presence of Ga Law in the race. He can go very close here and is one to keep onside in the spring.

Colonel To Follow Up After Aintree?

Last but by no means least, Colonel Harry is also one to consider after his victory in the Grand Sefton at Aintree. With stablemate Ga Law topping the weights, Colonel Harry is carrying 11-8 which is actually 4lbs less than he carried last time out.

It was a superb training performance from Jamie Snowden the last day, with his mount winning after 311 days off the track and he will no doubt have his supporters at HQ on Saturday afternoon. You’d be foolish to write him off, that’s for sure.

December Gold Cup Betting Tips

While Jagwar is the obvious, unexposed type in the field, I am happy enough to take him on given the yard form. He’s probably the right favourite given he has the scope to make into a Graded horse in time but it’s no gimme and I’ve landed on a couple to go to war with.

VINCENZO – 1pt WIN at 9/2

KIM ROQUE – 1pt E/W at 13/2