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.
The prestigious Grade Three handicap chase is run over two miles, four furlongs and 166 yards at Cheltenham and this year it has attracted a quality field of fifteen runners.
Here is a runner-by-runner guide to Saturday’s showpiece with a verdict in italics after each horse:
Frodon (P. Nicholls)
Winner of the Old Roan on his reappearance, Frodon then chased home Baron Alco in the BetVictor Gold Cup last time out.
He took this race two years ago and confirmed his liking for the New Course in January when humping 11st7lb to victory.
He should be on the premises again.
Baron Alco (G. Moore)
Raised 6lbs for his win in the BetVictor Gold Cup where he jumped his rivals into submission.
His runner-up finish to Charbel at the start of the season reads extremely well now, given that the Kim Bailey horse recently demolished the field in the Peterborough Chase.
Definitely one for the short list.
Rather Be (N. Henderson)
Brought down in the BetVictor Gold Cup whilst going really well and certainly looked like being the shake-up.
He was a narrow margin second to Mister Whitaker in the Close Brothers’ Novices’ Handicap Chase at The Festival last season and is understandably the market favourite.
Nicky Henderson has won this race three times so he is a horse to keep onside.
War Sound (P. Hobbs)
War Sound was an impressive win in a two and a half-mile handicap chase at Aintree last month. Trainer Philip Hobbs has twice landed the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup with Monkerhostin (2004) and Village Vic (2015).
A new form line with Warrior’s Tale reads well so ignore him at your peril.
Cobra De Mai (D. Skelton)
Ran fourth behind Mr Medic at Ascot last time and will probably struggle to reverse that form here. He did however finish second in a Grade 2 at Ayr at the end of last season, so does have ability.
A placed finish at best.
Mr Medic (R. Walford)
He picked up a good handicap chase at Ascot on his last outing and has been raised 9lb for that victory putting him into Saturday’s race on 10st 5lb.
With improvement very likely, he could just be what the doctor ordered.
Cepage (V. Williams)
Cepage ran well here on his final start of last season and appears to be completely at home on the New Course.
Charlie Deutsch has been popping them out from the front for Venetia of late and could quite easily emulate her 2014 victor, Niceonefrankie.
Decent each-way contender.
Casablanca Mix (N. Henderson)
She tends to have a tendency to throw away her races at the business end of things and is untested in a big field like this.
She definitely has talent but will probably have to play second fiddle to her stablemate Rather Be.
Too many risks involved.
Full Glass (A. King)
Hails from the powerful ownership dou of Munir and Souede and was a revelation in France. Ran well on his British debut at Ayr and unfortunately unseated at Haydock Park last time out.
Any rain will be a positive for the highly regarded five -year-old.
Double figure odds look generous.
Catamaran Du Seuil (Dr R. Newland)
Fell at the sixth in the Grand Sefton at Aintree last week and will need to be running up to the form of his Wetherby success on his seasonal debut to get competitive here.
There’s more that one doctor in this race.
Splash Of Ginge (N. Twiston-Davies)
A Cheltenham stalwart at the age of ten, with all of his greatest days coming at this racecourse.
The suspicion is the ground will not be tacky enough on Saturday for him to be seen at his best, but he does continue to surprise.
Sentimental each-way bet for old times’ sake perhaps?
Casse Tete (G. Moore)
He tends to run an absolute shocker or tends to hose up, so is a very difficult runner to gauge. He unseated at Ascot on his last outing but could easily bounce back and is on an attractive weight.
Another selection headache?
Romain De Senam (P. Nicholls)
Unseated at the first fence in the BetVictor and is becoming somewhat frustrating to follow given the potential he previously showed. He ran well for some way in this last year but faded back into fifth place.
Leave alone until he shows some renewed vigour.
Foxtail Hill (N. Twiston-Davies)
A front-runner who has enjoyed several Cheltenham victories by adopting a “catch me if you can” style. It’s worked for him in the past but he is likely to be hustled for that lead spot by Baron Alco or Cepage in this renewal which may result in him downing tools.
His handicap mark has plummeted and this would be the ideal time to make the most of it.
More Saturday success for father and son at their local track?
Guitar Pete (N. Richards)
Winner of this race last year and he was tipped up by this very column. As was alluded to last year, Guitar Pete is in here once again off a very handy weight and his third place run behind Baron Alco and Frodon was also a piece of great form.
Nicky Richards is boasting similar statistics to this time last season and is very much on the hot trainer list.
There is every chance he can go back-to-back on Saturday.
SUMMARY
The three literal heavyweights in the market look very susceptible to another runner who is in form and is running off a really low weight.
Guitar Pete has a very similar profile to the one he had going into last year’s renewal and he should be on the premises once again.
The Venetia Williams-trained Cepage is likely to be passed over by many in the betting but has plenty of unlocked potential given a clear round.
888sport suggests: Guitar Pete and Cepage (e/w).
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
