Talking Horses: Frodon can bag Gold Cup prize on big day at Cheltenham

The BetVictor Gold Cup at Cheltenham in November is often the best guide to the big handicap chase at the December meeting, even if the former is staged on the old course at the home of jumps racing while the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup is on the new.

It is the placed horses and the unlucky ones that tend to come to the fore a month later, however, and the top-class Exotic Dancer, who was twice placed in the Gold Cup, was the last to complete the double in 2006. That does not bode well for Baron Alco, who enjoyed an easy time of it in front in the BetVictor this season and is 6lb higher in the official ratings.

Rather Be, who was brought down in that race when still going well, will be very popular with the punters, but the Paul Nicholls-trained Frodon (1.55), the runner-up last month, rarely runs a bad race at this track and won this contest in 2016 as a four-year-old. He could well have the class to carry top-weight to victory.

Doncaster 2.10 Irish Roe is the class act in the field and a dual winner over course and distance but could be vulnerable under top weight. Zoffany Bay gets 16lb, would have gone close last time but for a mistake at the last, acts on the ground and could make the most of the concession.

Cheltenham 2.30 Several of these have the potential to go a long way over hurdles at this trip, including Doux Pretender, Supremely Lucky and Rockpoint, who found plenty of improvement when stepped up to three miles last time. They still have something to find with Aye Aye Charlie, however, on his form behind Black Op in Grade One company last season and his experience could tip the balance.

Doncaster 2.45 Quel Destin has already finished in front of his two main rivals this season, and had 10 lengths to spare over Elysees at Chepstow in October. That was Elysees’s hurdling debut, however, and he has improved to win his two races since. He should be a lot closer to the favourite and at the likely odds, he should prove the better bet.

Cheltenham 3.05 The New One’s memorable career could draw to a close if he fails to show up well in a race he has won three times in five years. He finished a good second 12 months ago too so Saturday’s challenge could easily see a return to peak form but even then, at least one younger rival is likely to have his measure. Summerville Boy, this year’s Supreme Novice Hurdle winner at the Cheltenham Festival, was disappointing on his return in the Fighting Fifth behind Buveur D’Air at Newcastle, so Western Ryder, who ran well to finish sixth in the Supreme, could offer some each-way value at around 8-1.

Doncaster 3.20 Another small field because of the going, but Go Conquer should ensure that the pace is strong and could prove difficult to pass given the conditions.

Cheltenham 3.40 One of the most competitive events on the card with several contenders at the top of their form, but Ratoute Yutty could well turn out to be the best-handicapped runner in the race. She has had a wind operation since joining Dan Skelton and ran with real promise to finish a close fourth last time. An opening mark of 122 may well underestimate her.