Horse Racing Tips
Paddy Power Gold Cup Prediction: Runner-By-Runner Betting Preview (2025)
The Paddy Power Gold Cup is the feature race on Saturday at Cheltenham’s November meeting and we’ve looked at every runner ahead of this year’s renewal.
All eyes will be on Prestbury Park for the showpiece on Saturday afternoon and you can check out my thoughts on all 15 declared runners in the big race of the day – along with a horse racing betting selection.
Jagwar (Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero)
Carrying top weight, Jagwar is the class act in the field but he has to prove it under a big weight. However, the form of his Cheltenham win at the Festival is strong and he has a progressive profile. He’s a strong contender, though will need to buck a key trend of winning this race off the back of no prep run.
The Other Mozzie (Gavin Cromwell)
The Other Mozzie brings a good level of form to the table and could have improvement to come, but Irish-trained winners of the Paddy Power are rare. In addition, he is less proven at Cheltenham over this trip than other runners and he wouldn’t be on my shortlist.
Bad (Ben Pauling)
An interesting contender. He operates really well at Kempton but many doubt whether he’ll take to the undulations of Cheltenham, having failed to fire on a previous effort at the course. If he steps up and handles both the ground and the track, he could be in the mix for the places.
Thecompanysergeant (Gavin Cromwell)
He bumped into Jagwar at Cheltenham in March but can he reverse that form on better terms? I’m not entirely convinced. He is trained by a genius in Gavin Cromwell but it’s hard to say how much juice remains in his handicap mark.
Riskintheground (Dan Skelton)
Riskintheground ticks a number of trend boxes, including age, trainer form and handicap experience. On a going day, he could be in amongst it but he’s been overlooked by stable jockey Harry Skelton, who prefers Panic Attack.
Il Ridoto (Paul Nicholls)
Il Ridoto deserves respect as the defending winner and Paul Nicholls had a winner on Friday afternoon. The key question with him is whether the handicapper has caught up with him or not – if Nicholls can eek out a little bit more improvement, he goes well at the track and has Harry Cobden in the saddle.
Coming Up Easy (Henry de Bromhead)
This could be an improving type stepping into this big contest. His rating might offer value and if the ground becomes very testing then he may be well suited. Could be one to go for if you favour an unexposed, progressive type of horse.
Vincenzo (Sam Thomas)
Vincenzo is a lead candidate for value as he fits many trend angles and is trained by a brilliant target trainer in Sam Thomas. If everything goes to plan, he could be bang there and is one to consider.
Theatre Native (Henry de Bromhead)
Theatre Native may offer depth to the race rather than top-spot potential. If the race unfolds well then she might outrun her odds but she could be a sitting duck out in front if she attempts to make all.
Panic Attack (Dan Skelton)
This has been PANIC ATTACK’s main aim for some time now and she can give Dan Skelton another big winner. She’s one of the leading contenders in the betting and the conditions of the race should suit, particularly if the rain continues to fall over Cheltenham Racecourse on Friday evening.
Conyers Hill (Paul Nolan)
Conyers Hill will have his supporters but he wouldn’t be for me. There’s a good chance that he may be well handicapped but I’d be a little worried about the trip for him if conditions get very testing.
Es Perfecto (Alan King)
I would be surprised if Es Perfecto won the feature on Saturday afternoon but I’d be happy to eat humble pie if he gets the job done.
Hoe Joly Smoke (Dan Skelton)
Hoe Joly Smoke could run a nice race and he’s shown an increased level of form in recent runs but he’s not the stable’s main hope for the race and I’d be inclined to suggest that he may struggle to lay a glove on the main protagonists.
Hunter Legend (Venetia Williams)
Popular in the betting over the last few days, Hunter Legend could be a danger for Venetia Williams. The trainer comes alive at this time of year and it would be foolish to dismiss him completely.
Issar d’Airy (Gary & Joshua Moore)
The rank outsider of the field, it would be some story if Issar d’Airy could win the race for the Moore team. You can pick holes in his form but he has had that all-important prep run and you wonder if that could help him, especially with testing conditions expected.
Who Wins The Paddy Power Gold Cup?
Well, it’s a competitive race but PANIC ATTACK gets my vote. She’s the choice of Harry Skelton and the yard are firing right now, plus this has been her target for a while and connections will be expecting a big run on Saturday afternoon.
*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*
