Irish Gold Cup: runner-by-runner guide and verdict

Official Rating: 166. Grade 1 wins: 1. RaceiQ Jump Index: 6.6 (out of 10). Odds: 11-1. 

Had several of these behind when making all in the Savills Chase here last month. That was a coming of age performance from a horse whose appearances have been limited edition in recent seasons. Took the honours despite jumping violently out to his right but surely will not be able to afford that luxury here, plus is likely to have competition for the lead. 

Official Rating: 157. Grade 1 wins: 2. Jump Index: 8.3. Odds: 66-1. 

Slipped up early on in the Savills Chase when not unfancied before running lamentably at Tramore four days later. That latest effort was too bad to be true but he’s down the pecking order for his powerful stable on this occasion. 

Official Rating: 171. Grade 1 wins: 4. Jump Index: 8.3. Odds: 10-1. 

Difficult not to instantly recall his sumptuous performance in the Ryanair Chase in March every time his name is mentioned. Was touched off by Gaeleic Warrior in an epic John Durkan Chase on his return and his dull effort in the King George last time was out of character. Still has a stamina question to answer after his defeats behind Galopin Des Champs in the Savills Chase (second) and this race (third) last season. 

Official Rating: 154. Grade 1 wins: 0. Jump Index: 7.9. Odds: 66-1. 

Has never finished worse than fourth in his seven previous Grade One assignments but still yet to strike at the highest level. Step up in trip worth a go given that he seems to have hit his ceiling over shorter but could have found far easier races/conditions to test his stamina. First-time tongue-tie goes on and Sean Bowen summoned. 

Official Rating: 172. Grade 1 wins: 5. Jump Index: 8. Odds: 4-1. 

Hugely gifted but with blemishes in the past. Hard to believe he is still only 8 and has been hard to fault since being unleashed beyond 2m. His bulging Fan Club gained more followers after his thrilling comeback win in the John Durkan and he also played a big part in last month’s thrilling King George when beaten a smidgeon into third. Leopardstown has not been a happy hunting ground for him in the past but he copes better than most with deep ground. 

Official Rating: 175. Grade 1 wins: 12. Jump Index: 7.7. Odds: 15-8. 

Outstanding staying chaser who seeks to win this prestige prize for a record fourth time in succession before attempting to win a third Cheltenham Gold Cup next month. Flawless in his first seven races over fences at Leopardstown but had to settle for third when defending his Savills Chase crown last month after missing his intended comeback run. He’s playing catch-up to a degree this season and, at ten, having run in 20 previous Grade One races, the niggle is whether all his powers remain intact. Versatile regards the ground and will raise the roof if making history. 

Official Rating: 164. Grade 1 wins: 1. Jump Index: 7.9. Odds: 25-1. 

Chased home Galopin Des Champs in last year’s renewal and was not far behind him when a staying-on fourth in the Savills back here last time. In between those efforts, he was a close third in the Grand National and might have won but for an error at the last. He’s still relatively low mileage (only 14 races over hurdles/fences) and is usually held up, which may help in a race where plenty of pace looks on the cards. His chunky odds dangle a carrot for value seekers. 

Official Rating: 169. Grade 1 wins: 1. Jump Index: 7.1. Odds: 9-1. 

The 2024 Grand National winner was runner-up when defending his crown last year and is blessed with bottomless reserves of stamina. He would surely have achieved even greater heights, too, but for his ordinary jumping technique. The RaceiQ data reveals that he surrenders multiple lengths over his fences time and again. Trailed home eighth in this race last year, having plugged on to be a distant third the year before. Plenty will be expecting more after he split Affordale Fury and Galopin Des Champs in the Savills last time. Much will depend on whether he can keep mistakes down to a minimum. 

Official Rating: 175. Grade 1 wins: 2. Jump Index: 7.7. Odds: 14-1. 

Caught the eye when a keeping-on fourth in this race last year and then took his form to another level when dishing out a six-length drubbing to Galopin Des Champs in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham. He was relentless that day but did the then seven-year-old glimpse the dark side? His heavy comeback defeat at Punchestown was predictable after a big drift in the betting, but he barely went a yard in the Savills last time despite positive pre-race bulletins from his trainer. Not easy to know what to expect here. 

Official Rating: 153. Grade 1 wins: 1. Jump Index: 7. Odds: 40-1. 

Won the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham in March but the staying novices were an ordinary bunch last term and it was very much a non-vintage edition. Never figured on his return at Punchestown and faded to be seventh in the Savills last time. The stable have much more credible challengers. 

Official Rating: 158. Grade 1 wins: 0. Jump Index: 8.3. Odds: 40-1. 

Imposing gelding who has run a string of creditable races without quite being able to threaten those sitting at the top table. Finished fourth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last season and was a fair fifth in the Savills last time. But that’s him – a bit of a “nearly horse”. Would not be a big surprise if connections had one eye on the Grand National at Aintree in April. 

Official Rating: 153. Grade 1 wins: 1. Jump Index: 7.1. Odds: 50-1. 

Gordon Elliott is popping a pair of blinkers on him and first-time headgear in staying chases always catches my eye. However, Stellar Story needs to find about a stone-and-a-half of improvement after beating only one home in the Savills last time. On a personal level, I’ll never be able to forgive him for clawing back The Jukebox Man in the final strides of the 2024 Albert Bartlett.  

Official Rating: 154. Grade 1 wins: 1. Jump Index: --. Odds: 9-1. 

Last, but not least. This mare is five from five over fences and none of really know how good she is, or where her upward trajectory might end. What we do know, though, is that she’s being thrown in the deep end over a trip she is unproven over. RaceiQ have yet to allot her a Jump Index score, although she was only awarded a 6.6 when winning at Doncaster last time (had previously got 9.1 at Clonmel). On balance, she’s priced up defensively given the quality and depth of opposition here. 

A spectacular line-up who between them have won 31 Grade One races. All bar two of the 13 runners boast at least one triumph at the highest level. Galopin Des Champs sets a high bar but his comeback defeat last month will encourage those trying to prevent him making history. GRANGECLARE WEST has twice finished not far behind him here in the past year and, at 25-1, makes appeal each-way with most bookmakers going four places.