3.30 3m. 2f. 70yds. 11 Declared. Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1 ) of £625,000.00 5-y-o plus
1st - €351,688.00 2nd - €132,500.00 3rd - €66,312.00 4th - €33,125.00 5th - €16,625.00 6th - €8,312.00 7th - €4,125.00 8th - €2,125.00
FormscanBy Tom Weekes - MINELLA INDO comes alive at this time of year and showed a glimpse of his old self when second in the Irish Gold Cup. Well held by outsider Conflated in that February race, he is better over this longer trip, won last year's renewal in style and has an excellent Cheltenham record. Last year's runner-up A Plus Tard is thoroughly dependable. He is sure to play his part but was beaten by the selection last year and by Galvin, by a short-head, in December. Galvin is an relentless galloper who outstayed A Plus Tard at Leopardstown, albeit exposed Kemboy was a shade too close for comfort in third. Dual winner Al Boum Photo follows his well-worn path and while third in 2021, wasn't beaten far and is reliable. Tornado Flyer was a surprise winner of the King George but needs to replicate that form, in a better race. Protektorat won easily at Aintree beating old Native River, which pulled up subsequently. Asterion Forlonge could bring down the house, with victory, but isn't entirely reliable.