17 horses remain as prospective runners for this season’s Paddy Power Gold Cup, run this Saturday, 16th November at Cheltenham. It could be a particularly high-class renewal this season, with three former Grade 1 winners still in the shake-up, with defending Ryanair Chase champion Protektorat heading the weights.
Although other Graded prizes may be on the agenda, Dan Skelton has nominated this handicap as the nine-year-old’s starting point. His mark of 167 would ensure he has to concede 12lb and more all round in a race in which he was runner-up three years ago.
The other pair of top level winners are Editeur Du Gite, also a two-time winner of the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton, and Willie Mullins’ Janidil, who has slipped down the handicap after failing to hold his own at Graded level of late. His confirmation continues the trend of Mullins eyeing up early season prizes on this side of the Irish Sea as he seeks to maintain his trainers’ championship title.
Though last year’s Paddy Power Gold Cup winner Stage Star does not return, 2022 hero Ga Law is still a potential runner for Jamie Snowden. He also won over course and distance in January, as did Fugitif, who came with a late burst to deny Il Ridoto in the December Gold Cup last season.
The Nicholls runner is a standing order in these contests and lurks on a dangerous mark once again, but it is Ginny’s Destiny who catches the eye most for the master of Ditcheat, boasting a very similar profile for Stage Star after a progressive and successful novice campaign.
Imagine could make his first start for Harry Derham since joining from Gordon Elliott, while further Irish interest is held by Henry De Bromhead’s Lets Go Champ and Gavin Cromwell’s Hartur D’arc. Course winners In Excelsis Deo, Madara, Straw Fan Jack and Weveallbeencaught would all be intriguing back at this venue.
Jetoile enjoyed his biggest day when winning last year’s Old Roan Handicap Chase at Aintree, with the bottom-weighted duo of Kotmask and Gemirande both well out of the weights should Protektorat line up.
Paddy Power Gold Cup 2024 Runners
| Number | Horse | Trainer |
| 1 | Protektorat | Dan Skelton |
| 2 | Ga Law | Jamie Snowden |
| 3 | Ginny’s Destiny | Paul Nicholls |
| 4 | Editeur Du Gite | Gary & Josh Moore |
| 5 | Janidil | Willie Mullins |
| 6 | Fugitif | Richard Hobson |
| 7 | Imagine | Harry Derham |
| 8 | Jetoile | Ryan Potter |
| 9 | In Excelsis Deo | Harry Fry |
| 10 | Lets Go Champ | Henry De Bromhead |
| 11 | Hartur D’arc | Gavin Cromwell |
| 12 | Madara | Dan Skelton |
| 13 | Il Ridoto | Paul Nicholls |
| 14 | Straw Fan Jack | Sheila Lewis |
| 15 | Weveallbeencaught | Christian Williams |
| 16 | Kotmask | Gary & Josh Moore |
| 17 | Gemirande | Venetia Williams |