Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup

3m 2½f | New Course | 3.15 Friday 18 MarchEveryone knows that the 2005 totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup revolves around one horse, Best Mate. His feat in emulating triple Gold Cup winner last year remains one of the greatest achievements in the history of our sport and now he stands on the verge of the unthinkable - going one better than Arkle's Cheltenham achievements with a fourth Gold Cup triumph. However, one major difference between Arkle and Best Mate is that our latter-day hero has never dominated the sport in the same manner as 'himself' and evidence of that has been provided in two below par runs this season.Can Best Mate turn history and both current form on it's head and become only the second horse to win Cheltenham's Blue Riband four times or is that stage set for a new hero to emerge. Let's look at the 2005 hopefuls.LadbrokesVCBet (free fifty pound bet)Stan James (free twenty five pound bet)Blue Square (free twenty five pound bet)BEEF OR SALMON9yo trained by Michael HouriganForm: 1312Notoriously difficult to catch right but bang on song when beating a below-par Best Mate at Leopardstown over Christmas. Found to be suffering from an infection next time but, at his best, has a top-class turn of foot. On the down side is his jumping - physical problems compromising his efficiency in that department. Fourth last year and should be at the peak of his powers now but doubts about whether this track really suits him as well as his beloved Leopardstown.BEST MATE10yo trained by Henrietta KnightForm: 1-12The three-time Gold Cup hero faces his toughest task yet in the race he has made his own. Once again campaigned lightly and this season has proved to be inconclusive so far as to how much ability he still retains. All out to beat Seebald at Exeter on his reappearance, Best Mate was found to be sick when going down to Beef Or Salmon at Leopardstown in December. Said to be in great shape again but connections must be very worried about the infection that has affected some in the yard. On the plus side, he really does excel around Cheltenham, but the feeling is that he needs a career best to make it four.CELESTIAL GOLD7yo trained by Martin PipeForm: -113Became the first for 24 years to land the Paddy Power and Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup double in the autumn, his performances punctuated by fluent jumping as he was held up in the rear. Refused to settle and in the circumstances ran very well on his first run back since when a close third to Farmer Jack and Strong Flow in the Aon Chase at Newbury. Remains capable of better and could easily be a leading player.GREY ABBEY11yo trained by Howard JohnsonForm: 1-11Uncomplicated and brave, there's no doubt that Grey Abbey would be a popular winner of the Gold Cup and the first grey since Dessie 16 years ago to triumph in the race. Seems to have been around for years and is certainly better than ever at the age of 11, jumping his rivals silly when winning the Pillar Chase. Stamina assured - he won the Scottish National at his beloved Ayr last April but a setback since his last win is worrying. On song, he would have fine place prospects.KICKING KING7yo trained by Tom TaaffeForm: 1211Exciting Irish chaser who stepped up to the big time in some style when emerging a decisive winner of the King George at Kempton. The only negative was that last fence blunder - was it caused by fatigue as his stamina was being taxed or simply a lack of concentration? A less aggressive ride would certainly help him get home here. Having looked certain to miss the festival following a poor scope in early March, he's now re-emerged as a possible runner, but the concern is the amount of work he will have missed at such a crucial time in his preparation. That said, at just seven, he remains more open to improvement than most of his rivals and if he's fit enough to run surely he will go for this in preference to the less competitive Daily Telegraph Festival Trophy?KINGSCLIFF8yo trained by Robert AlnerForm: 12-2Did remarkably well to split Kicking King and Azertyuiop in the King George on a track that would not have played to his strengths. Only really got going in the last half-mile and is sure to be a lot more at home over the course on which he won the Foxhunters two seasons ago. Ever since that win - gained at the tender age of six - Kingscliff has been tagged as a future Gold Cup winner, not least because of the similarities between him and the stable's previous Gold Cup winner, former hunter Cool Dawn. Prone to muscular problems in the past which has sometimes compromised his normally fluent jumping, but so long as he's over those ailments he's the one to beat.OLLIE MAGERN7yo trained by Nigel Twiston-DaviesForm: 1U12Has been campaigned aggressively but has never shirked the issue. Put up an incredible performance in the Hennessy at Newbury when running second to Celestial Gold after racing with the choke out for most of the way. Second to It Takes Time at Lingfield last time but that would not have played to his strengths. Front-runner but needs to step up to take a hand.RULE SUPREME9yo trained by Willie MullinsForm: 33F1Very talented stayer who has mixed hurdling and chasing this season. Surprise winner of the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at last year's Festival when his suspect jumping held up well. Went on to win the French version of the Champion Hurdle at Auteuil and put up an eye-catching performance over the smaller obstacles at Windsor when a very fast-finishing third to Baracouda. His defeat of a below-par Beef Or Salmon in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown should not be taken literally as he was well held by that on-song rival when falling two out on their previous meeting.SIR REMBRANDT9yo trained by Robert AlnerForm: 2424Chased home Best Mate in last year's race, keeping on well after getting outpaced down the hill. His performances since then have lacked a little sparkle - he was readily left behind by Farmer Jack et al in the Aon, although he had not been disgraced at Haydock in the Tommy Whittle. Only if the ground became really testing would he come into it as he shapes as though a thorough test of stamina is what he needs now.STRONG FLOW8yo trained by Paul NichollsForm: 1-32Brilliant winner of the Hennessy at Newbury in 2003 before his career was put on hold after damaging a knee in the Feltham at Kempton. Nursed back to fitness, a comeback over hurdles was satisfactory but he looked more at home back over fences in the Aon at Newbury. His trainer is adamant that he left plenty to work on after that but the lingering doubt remains as to whether he can come back to fulfil his undoubted potential. Even so, the most fascinating thing about this fine-looking chaser is that we still don't know quite how good he is. LadbrokesVCBet (free fifty pound bet)Stan James (free twenty five pound bet)Blue Square (free twenty five pound bet) OUTSIDERSCalling Brave is certainly the most interesting of those at bigger prices as he remains unexposed over fences. He was arguably travelling best of all when unseating his rider four out in last year's Royal & SunAlliance Chase and his reappearance second to Colonel Frank at Sandown was an ideal comeback. His stable was under a cloud when he was pulled up in the King George so that can be ignored. Ballycassidy likes good ground but his last two efforts have been disappointing while Pizarro is frequently let down by his jumping.CONCLUSIONKINGSCLIFF can follow the Cool Dawn route and can deny Best Mate's attempt at a four-timer. Defending champion Best Mate is at his best around here, however, and is sure to take some stopping. Victory for Strong Flow would be Paul Nicholls' greatest achievement. Getting back him to the race is some sort of minor miracle, but there is still a doubt about whether he will be good enough. Wherever he finishes, I suspect the admirable Celestial Gold will not be far behind him.LadbrokesVCBet (free fifty pound bet)Stan James (free twenty five pound bet)Blue Square (free twenty five pound bet)Source: attheraces.co.uk