The Andy Newton December Gold Cup form guide ahead of Saturday’s big Cheltenham race is suggesting Madara can give trainer Dan Skelton his first win in the race.
Plus, SportsCasting’s horse racing expert also has a decent place alternative to take into the weekend contest.
Madara A Solid December Gold Cup Pick As The Skeltons Eye First Win In The Race
Last year’s Paddy Power Gold Cup fourth Fugitif went three places better in the December Gold Cup the following month and history could repeat itself on Saturday.
MADARA was staying on well at Cheltenham last month to land fourth in the Paddy Power – a run that will set this Dan Skelton-trained 5 year-old up perfectly for this prize.
Yes, at just 5 year-old his age might put some off, but for a young horse he’s got plenty of experience (16 runs, 12 over fences) and this race has gone to even younger horses in recent years when Unioniste (2012) and Frodon (2016) both won as 4 year-olds.
You can see Madara’s eye-catching run last time below and with this only his second run of the season can strip much fitter this time.
He powered up the hill to be just under 8 lengths off the winner Il Ridoto that day and even though he never looked like winning, Madara also gets a handy 9lb pull this time.
Okay Tristan Durrell, who claimed 3lbs that day isn’t on – replaced by Harry Skelton, but even taking this into account Madara is still 6lbs better off.
Any Rain Would Be A Big Plus For Madara
Any rain would also be a big help, with all his five career wins coming on soft or heavy – plus he’s also a proven course winner, when winning at this meeting 12 months ago.
Finally, despite not winning the December Gold Cup before, trainer Dan Skelton still knows a thing of two about looking after the winner.
He was, of course assistant trainer with Paul Nicholls, who has won this race a record five times.
Madara is currently in the top three in the market with the best horse racing betting sites in the UK.
In Excelsis Deo Respected As Each-Way December Gold Cup Selection
Of those at slight bigger prices with the best betting sites in the UK is the Harry Fry-trained IN EXCELSIS DEO.
This 6 year-old has form linked in with Madara too – having run the Skelton horse to second at this meeting last season – and since then has run well (5th) in the Plate at the Cheltenham Festival and then won at the track at their April Meeting.
Yes, he unseated in the Paddy Power and having unshipped his jockey twice now in his last five does have a few risks, but this JP McManus horse was still in with a shout last time.
The handicapper has also dropped In Excelsis Deo a pound and still gets in here with a light weight 10-8 – the December Gold Cup trends also tell us that 9 of the last 12 winners carried 10-12 or less, which he ticks.
Therefore, if he can keep his jockey on his back this time, could be a horse that gone slightly under the radar.
If he can win, he’ll be giving JP his first win in the race since Quantitativeeasing in 2011.
2024 December Gold Cup Race Details
📅Date: Saturday 14th December 2024
⌚Time: 1:50pm
🏇Racecourse: Cheltenham
🔄Trip: 2m 4 1/2f
💷Winning Purse: £71,188
📺 TV: ITV / Racing TV
You can also see the full Cheltenham December Meeting schedule, race times and which races are on ITV Racing.
Last Year’s First and Second Fugitif and Il Ridoto Back For More
The 2024 December Gold Cup will also feature last year’s first and second – Fugitif and Il Ridoto.
Only a shorthead separated the two that day (watch below), but there was 13 1/2 lengths between them when Il Ridoto won the Paddy Power Gold Cup last month, with Fugitif back in fifth.
This will be the sixth time the two have met – with Il Ridoto having the slight bragging rights with a 3-2 lead.
There is only a pound between the two this time, which – based on old form – will favour Fugitif.
Il Ridoto will be looking to become the first Paddy Power Gold Cup winner to follow up here in the same season since Exotic Dancer in 2006.
While Fugitif will be hoping to be the first back-to-back December Gold Cup winner since Poquelin in 2009 and 2010.
However, at 9 years-old last year’s winner, Fugitif will also be one of the oldest winners in recent times. 25 of the last 26 winners were aged 8 or younger. Based on that, he’s overlooked .
December Gold Cup Runners 2024
Eleven runners will head to post for Saturday’s December Gold Cup at Cheltenham.
- Stage Star
- Ga Law
- Le Patron
- Fugitif
- Il Ridoto
- Sure Touch
- In Excelsis Deo
- Madara
- Gemirande
- Guard Your Dreams
- Grandeur D’Ame
