The Caspian Caviar Gold Cup was first run in 1963. It was originally sponsored by Massey Ferguson and known as the Massey Ferguson Gold Cup.
The race continued with this name until 1980, but since then it has had various sponsors and consequently several title changes.
For simplicity, the race has become commonly known in the racing media as the December Gold Cup and takes place on the Saturday of Cheltenham’s International Meeting.
The prestigious Grade Three handicap chase is run over two miles, four furlongs and 166 yards and this year it has attracted a quality field of sixteen runners.
Last year’s renewal was won by the Paul Nicholls-trained/Bryony Frost-ridden Frodon at horse racing betting odds of 7/1.
Trends & Statistics:
Trainer form: Paul Nicholls has won 5 of the last 10 runnings of the race, including the dual winners Poquelin and Frodon.
- Age: 6-y-o (3) 7-y-o (3) 4-y-o (2) 8-y-o (2).
- Weight: 5 winners carried 11st 5lbs or more.
- Ratings: 7 winners had a rating of 142 or higher.
- Starting Prices: Only one favourite has won in the last 10 years (Poquelin 7/2f, 2009). The other nine winners have ranged from 6/1 to 16/1.
Form:
- 10/10 had already run in the same season, of which eight had contested two or more races.
- 10/10 had previously raced at Cheltenham and four had won.
- 9/10 had previously won two or more chases.
- 9/10 had previously won over the distance.
- 8/10 had already won a race in the same season.
- 8/10 were either first or placed in their preceding race.
- 6/10 previous race was the BetVictor Gold Cup Chase.
- 4/10 had already won a Graded race.
- 3/10 were French bred.
Here is your runner-by-runner guide to the 16 competitors:
Cepage (Venetia Williams)
Finished second in this race last year and is 5lb better off with Riders Onthe Storm here after their recent Aintree encounter.
Williams’ runners in this race since 2014 read 1322 and the seven-year-old holds a solid chance.
Keeper Hill (Warren Greatrex)
Bounced backed to form last time at Haydock when the total outsider of the field and looked a real chasing type.
This will be just his eighth start over fences and he has won three times over them. Back and wind operations appear to have revived his fortunes.
Riders OnThe Storm (Nigel Twiston-Davies)
Won nicely at Aintree on his first start for Twiston-Davies after arriving from the Tom Taaffe yard.
The six-year-old accounted for Cepage and Old Grangewood on Merseyside but this stiffer track caught him out at The Festival and he now holds the dubious honour of being the favourite.
Secret Investor (Paul Nicholls)
The seven-year-old lifted three trophies last season, including at Wincanton and Ayr in the spring, before finishing second in a Down Royal Grade Two last month.
Completely different tactics will need to be employed from his last run, but if anybody has a good racing plan, it’s Paul Nicholls and he looks destined to run in some of 2020's biggest races.
Lalor (Kayley Woollacott)
After his wonderful chase debut at Cheltenham just over a year ago in the Grade 2 Arkle trial, Lalor’s form has been somewhat underwhelming.
His stamina shouldn’t be an issue here but he needs to bounce back rather quickly if is to trouble the judge on this occasion.
Benatar (Gary Moore)
The Gary Moore-trained Benatar was last seen finishing a very distant seventh to Cyrname at Ascot but is a decent horse on his day.
Any glimpses of the form from his novice chase season would see him in with a chance.
Robin Des Foret (Willie Mullins)
Second season chaser Robin Des Foret will always be of interest simply due to the Willie Mullins factor.
His second place to Burrows Saint over 3m½f at the end March was no mean feat and he is bound to attract plenty of each-way interest.
Imperial Presence (Philip Hobbs)
His two runs at Ascot in November hardly inspire any confidence and he is easy to cross off any list at the moment.
Spiritofthegames (Dan Skelton)
He has failed to pick up from where he left off this season and must have his connections scratching their heads. He’s definitely hard to recommend.
Knocknanuss (Gary Moore)
Enthusiastic sort who often spoils his chances by being too keen early on. If he can settle a little better with the application of any racing aids then he could run a big race.
Clondaw Castle (Tom George)
Tom George has had this race in mind for some time for the son of Oscar, and based upon his narrow defeat in the Byrne Group Handicap Chase last time, he must have a decent chance of building upon that run.
Brelan D'As (Paul Nicholls)
Happy Diva and Brelan d’As pulled well clear of the field in the BetVictor Chase and the JP McManus-owned runner gets in here with an attractive racing weight.
A reproduction of that run should see him right in the thick of it again. Keep up with the latest horse racing tips and news to find out more information on Brelan D'as and the other runners.
Good Man Pat (Alan King)
Showed plenty of promise on his return over nearly 3m at Ascot and he is bound to be a strip fitter for the outing.
The handicapper has dropped him 1lb since then and he represents a lethal trainer/jockey combination.
Generous Day (Henry Oliver)
Has won three times from six chase starts with the last of those wins coming at Kempton at the end of November.
He won at 33/1 that day but halving those odds for this much hotter contest seems rather over-reactionary.
Warthog (David Pipe)
Warthog finished an excellent third in the BetVictor Gold Cup at the November meeting, heading the field until two from home when he eventually began to tire.
Worryingly his form figures show that he tends to struggle next time out after a decent run.
Not That Fuisee (Dan Skelton)
He was never able to live with Torpillo at Warwick but he appears to have taken to the larger obstacles well and the handicap sphere should be more to his liking.
He lines up here with an absolute fly-weight on his back which can only be an extra advantage.
Caspian Caviar Gold Cup: Prediction
I’ve been made aware that there is a poignant back story behind the Tom George runner Clondaw Castle (nap) so that adds some extra weight and credence to me picking him each-way for this Saturday big race.
I also can see no reason why Venetia William’s Cepage (nb) shouldn’t run another massive race here and he has enough class to defy top weight.
888sport suggests: Clondaw Castle and Cepage (e/w).
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Mark J. Terrill / AP Photo*
