Course: Cheltenham - Distance: 2 miles, 4 furlongs - Class One Premier Handicap - 4-Year-Olds and older, rated 125+

Previous History:

The Paddy Power Gold Cup Handicap Chase has been a stable on the National Hunt calendar since its first inception in 1960 and for the past six decades, many high class names and future legends have landed this prestigious and valuable race. The very first running would be won by two time champion two mile chaser Fortria, who also finished second in a pair of Gold Cups. Gay Trip would achieve the rare double of this race and the Grand National in the 1969-70 season, carrying a huge twelve stone in the Aintree spectacular. In the 1990's, the race would be farmed by legendary trainer David Pipe, with his close associate A P McCoy in the saddle. Between 1996 and 2006, David Pipe would win the race seven times, with the likes of dual winner Cyfor Malta and Grade One winner Our Vic. In more recent times, the race has developed a link with the Cheltenham Gold Cup. In 2008, the locally trained Imperial Commander would win for Nigel Twiston-Davies before returning in 2010 to land the Cheltenham Gold Cup ahead of Kauto Star and Denman. 2006 winner Exotic Dancer was also a high class horse in his own right but would always find one too strong at the top level. A young Long Run could only manage third in this race in 2010 before lifting the Gold Cup a few months further on. Last year, the race was won by the Jamie Snowden-trained Ga Law, who was strong at the finish to hold off the subsequently smart French Dynamite and Midnight River. 

2023 Race Preview:

The current National Hunt season may have officially begun at Chepstown in mid-October, but November is when the action really ramps up a gear with many high class names returning to the track on the road back to the Cheltenham Festival. 
The three day Open Meeting at Cheltenham is often the cherry on the cake of the early stages of the season as racegoers and star names descend on the Cotswolds for a meeting of the highest quality. The Saturday was always set to be the most popular day with the Paddy Power Gold Cup Chase headlining the bill and punters were rewarded with a mouth-watering contest.
Long time antepost favourite Stage Star was present in the line-up and his legion of owners around the country were hoping for the dual Grade One winner to carry the Owners Group silks to Cheltenham success once again. One of the leading home challengers for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, The Real Whacker, was another big name in the lineup following his rags to riches career. Many classy novice chasers also took their chances on their first attempt in open company against older and more experienced rivals. Course specialists, veteran chasers and the new kids on the block would give the race a much anticipated feeling to many and hopes were high that it wouldn't disappoint.

Runners And Riders:

1: THE REAL WHACKER (Mahler x Credit Box)

Trainer: Patrick Neville
Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Form: /0111-
Weight: 12st 0lbs

The story of The Real Whacker has been worthy of a Hollywood film and despite winning at the highest level already, it is likely that the seven year old is far from done with yet. 
The son of Mahler began his career trained in Ireland by Patrick Neville which saw him race just once in a bumper where he finished a well held sixth. The Real Whacker was then whisked away to North Yorkshire to be trained by Ann Duffield at Leyburn for a brief spell. He would spend a short time over hurdles with just four starts over timber, but it yielded a win and a runner's up spot in the Grade Two River Don Novice Hurdle at Doncaster behind the useful Mahler Mission. 
During his brief stay at the Sun Hill Stables with Ann Duffield, former trainer Patrick Neville had also relocated to North Yorkshire and following a below par reappearance for the 2022/23 season, The Real Whacker returned to the care of his original handler. There would also be a change of routine as a few weeks after his seasonal debut, the six year old would switch to fences at Cheltenham. Despite a few jumps to his right, he jumped very smoothly and impressed with his attitude to win at his first attempt. A return to the Cotswolds would follow on New Year's Day 2023 for a Grade Two event in which he jumped much better this time around and took the scalp of some smart types. 
The acid test would come at the Cheltenham Festival that March where stiffer opponents would be waiting. The Grade One Brown Advisory Novice Chase saw the likes of the unbeaten Gerri Colombe, Thyme Hill and Sir Gerhard but The Real Whacker took up his customary front running position. Entering the closing stages, The Real Whacker had most of his rivals in trouble as Gerri Colombe was the last to challenge. In a thrilling finish, The Real Whacker bravely found extra to deny to the Irish challenger. It would spark wild celebrations from connections and mark the horse's arrival at the top.
Now a seven year old, The Real Whacker is still very lightly raced with just seven lifetime starts to date. He starts this season as a leading British contender for the blue riband event, the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Despite carrying twelve stone, the presence of The Real Whacker in this field adds excitement to the race. The course specialist should have every chance at his unofficial second home. Sam Twiston-Davies returns to the saddle to retain the partnership of that memorable day in March at the Festival.

2: STAGE STAR (Fame And Glory x Sparky May)
Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Jockey: Harry Cobden
Form: 21115- 

Weight: 11st 6lbs

A high class operator who has made a career of exceeding expectations and continues to make his legions of owners proud, this dual Grade One winner has been the long time favourite in the build up to the race.

Trained by leading trainer Paul Nicholls, Stage Star has enjoyed a career at the highest level for the past three seasons and his improvement may not have finished yet. The son of Fame And Glory made a big impression on his racecourse debut by seven lengths. He would finish his maiden season with a third place behind a stablemate in a Grade Two bumper at Aintree. That display would be a sign of things to come and switching to hurdles, Stage Star lived up to his promise by winning his first two novice hurdle races. The first big test would come during the Christmas period of 2021 for Newbury's Grade One Challow Hurdle. Travelling best of all through the race, Stage Star would come home clear to deliver another high level win for the Owners Group syndicate. Disappointment would soon follow at the Aintree and Cheltenham Festivals, but following another summers' break, Stage Star returned as the real deal over fences.

A seamless display on his first start over the larger obstacles saw the six year old given lofty ambitions for the following spring. A shock defeat on his second start derailed hopes slightly, but the only way was up in the coming months. A brilliant performance in a handicap chase over the same course and distance was made even more impressive by carrying top weight of twelve stone which led to his Graded race aspirations. Returning to Cheltenham for the Festival in March, next up would be the Turners' Chase where he faced strong Irish competition. Under Harry Cobden, Stage Star made all the running and with some breathtaking leaps, found plenty under pressure to put his name in lights for his ecstatic owners.
Despite a below par run at Aintree on his only subsequent run where the race came quickly after his Cheltenham exploits, Stage Star begins this season as one of the highest rated chasers in the Paul Nicholls stable with just Gold Cup runner up Bravemansgame and Grade One winner Pic d'Orhy only ahead of Stage Star. A return to a course he loves and his jumping ability are key plus points to the chances of Stage Star and he will carry the weight of expectation from his buoyant owners. Retained jockey to the stable Harry Cobden unsurprisingly keeps the ride on Stage Star having partnered him on almost all of his starts to date.

3: FUGITIF (Ballingarry x Turiane) 
Trainer: Richard Hobson
Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
Form: 21225-
Weight: 11st 5lbs

Yet another battle hardened chaser who begins his third season over fences with plenty of form good enough to win a race of this nature, Fugitif has a good looking profile about him.

Arriving from France in mid 2020 and settling at the Richard Hobson yard, the son of Ballingarry started out life over hurdles in Britain where he didn't look a particular world beater, but a capable sort at a lower level. With just a solitary win over the timber, the switch to fences would end up becoming the making of the horse and he transformed into a different animal. Two wins from his first three starts over the larger obstacles warranted a dip into the big league and an engagement in a Grade One novice at Sandown. He would finish a well held fourth behind the future Brown Advisory Chase winner L'Homme Presse and then only manage midfield finishes in competitive handicaps for the remainder of his novice season. Freshened up by a summer's break, Fugitif began to deliver on his long time promise by finishing a close second at Cheltenham during last year's November meeting. The gelding would then confirm that run by winning in easy fashion at Chepstow's Welsh National meeting over the Christmas period and announce himself on a bigger stage. A return to Cheltenham followed for Trials Day where once again he bravely rallied on soft ground and over a new distance to take second behind Il Ridoto with plenty of rivals behind him. A third race in the space of three months at the Cotswolds venue yielded another second, this time in the Festival Plate Handicap. In similar conditions to those on Trials Day, Fugitif posted another highly commendable effort with another second, this time only finding the rejuvenated Seddon too strong. His handicap rating had shot up nearly twenty pounds in the space of six months which paid a compliment to his progression. With little options for him remaining in the season, he found himself back in Grade One company, this time for the Melling Chase at Aintree. He would finish a respectable fifth behind the high class Pic d'Orhy, Fakir d'Oudairies and French Dynamite in a strong lineup. 

The eight year old now starts this season on a much higher rating that the one he started last season on, but his confidence should be better now and his ability to run well when fresh will be a positive too. He may not be up to Grade One class, but as his performances showed last year, this kind of race is very much up his alley. Gavin Sheehan is reunited with Fugitif having partnered him to success at Chepstow last season. 

4: AUTHORIZED ART (Authorized x Rock Art)

Trainer: Willie Mullins (Ire.)
Jockey: Danny Mullins
Form: 456-24

Weight: 11st 5lbs

An Irish raider from the all conquering Willie Mullins, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Authorized Art tick off this race on the great trainer's bucket list.

The son of Derby winning sire Authorized, the eight year old is part of a stable that houses most of the leading national hunt horses in training which includes the likes of Galopin Des Champs, Il Etait Temps and El Fabiolo. Therefore it means Authorized Art may not be the stable star, but is a highly talented sort in his own right and has seen plenty of racing. A winner on the flat in France as a three-year-old, Authorized Art followed the path of so many of his stablemates to the Closutton yard where he would then win on his Irish hurdling debut in good style.  He would then struggle in higher class races and valuable handicaps so there would be considerable time between wins. Landing a hurdle race in the spring of 2022 warmed Authorized Art up for the next stage of his career, fences. He would go on to rattle in a hat trick of wins on quick summer ground and made hay while the sun shone and while the more established novices were still on vacation. On the third of those wins, he would pick up a Grade Three event before finding his limitations exposed in Grade One company on soft ground.

Authorized Art returned once again during the summer period of the jumps season and following a break, took part in the historic and valuable Galway Plate. Always keeping tabs on the eventual winner, Authorized Art would keep on well in the closing stages to keep the winner Ash Tree Meadow honest while building a good sized cushion to the third placed horse. It would be a much better effort and he ran well once more in the Kerry National over three miles to finish fourth. His two runs this season have shown his contempt for a race of this nature. It is interesting that Willie Mullins has selected just one horse for this race in his bid to win this historic handicap for the first time. There aren't too many races to cross off the list for the genius of Closutton. Nephew of trainer Willie, Danny Mullins took the ride and the partnership combined to win Grade One races earlier this year.

5: NOTLONGTILLMAY (Malinas x Tara Croft) 
Trainer: Laura Morgan
Jockey: Adam Wedge
Form: 1112-4
Weight: 11st 4lbs 

A lightly raced sort who found all sorts of improvement last season before providing his fast rising trainer with a memorable day at the Cheltenham Festival, Notlongtillmay has planted his stable's flag in the middle of the national hunt racing world for all to see.

With just nine career runs to date, Notlongtillmay is one of the most lightly raced horses in the field which boosts his claims as a totally unexposed sort. The son of Malinas appeared to be heading in the right direction over hurdles with a solid profile for previous trainer Chris Gordon and won on his final start for that yard at Fontwell in useful fashion. His owner Alan Rogers had noticed the form of new trainer on the block, Laura Morgan, and the horse was moved to his new Leicestershire base where the fairy tale story would begin. A win on his stable debut at Wetherby at the end of 2022 would be a relief for his connections, but it boosted the horse's confidence and he would go on to win two more races at Musselburgh, on one occasion by sixteen lengths. Notlongtillmay caught the eye of many with the way he would travel through his races and jump boldly in the lead, it would be a sight to behold and following his hat trick of wins and a steep rise in the ratings, a dream day out would follow in the Grade One Turners Novice Chase. Facing the likes of Grade One winners Stage Star, Mighty Potter and Appreciate It, his work would be cut out. However. beyond all expectations, Notlongtillmay helped to set a brisk gallop before hustling Stage Star all the way to the line. He lacked the final change of pace of the winner, but came home a brilliant second to spark jubilant celebrations for his stable.

An eye-catching reappearance at the Showcase meeting at Cheltenham back in October where he stayed on up the hill into fourth over a shorter distance will have shaken off any rustiness and he returns to do battle with his old rival Stage Star once again. A fantastic advertisement of the training skills of Laura Morgan, his story may not be finished just yet. Adam Wedge who has built up a good record with the horse keeps the ride here.

6: FINAL ORDERS (Camelot x Trapeze)

Trainer: Gavin Cromwell 
Jockey: Danny Gilligan
Form: 5F-014
Weight: 11st 0lbs

One of the biggest success stories of last season, Final Orders enjoyed a huge amount of improvement which took him to new heights, and has retained some of that form heading into this season. 

Bred to be smart, Final Orders began his racing life on the flat with the Ed & Simon Crisford stable where he ran moderately in defeat before a move to Ireland with new trainer Garvan Donnelly. He would perform at a lowly level before his attentions changed to the jumping game. A breakthrough first win would come at a modest level but once more he would continue to operate modestly on the flat and over jumps. At the end of 2021, Final Orders would begin to show promise and get closer to winning, but a switch to the higher profile yard of Gavin Cromwell would pay dividends. 
A change of focus to fences saw a big change of fortune as Final Orders jumped very well and won by a wide margin on his second start over the bigger fences. It would begin a win streak of four in a row which included a Grade B handicap at Leopardstown. Another bold run in the rapidly run Grand Annual Chase at the Cheltenham Festival where he was outpaced but rallied into fifth. An attempt at Aintree's unique Grand National fences saw him fall at the halfway stage, but it completed a highly successful period for the seven year old. 
Returning this season, Final Orders picked up a handicap at Bellewstown on the flat before returning to the same venue a month later to win a handicap hurdle in good style. A return to fences soon followed at Chepstow, but he could manage only fourth behind the impressive winner Al Dancer. The relentless progression of Final Orders was a brilliant story over the past year or so and it is still possible he has another big race in his locker. Highly regarded Irish apprentice Danny Gilligan has impressed many so far and took part in another big handicap. 

7: UNEXPECTED PARTY (Martaline x Reform Act)

Trainer: Dan Skelton
Jockey: Harry Skelton
Form: 2353-1

Weight: 10st 11lbs

A relatively lightly raced sort for a stable who love nothing more than landing this extremely tough handicap chases and one who holds claim to some high class form despite winning just once over fences.

The grey son of Martaline won for the first time over hurdles at Wetherby in late October and did so in impressive style. He would continue to run boldly in handicap company but really announced himself on the scene with an explosive display in the Holloway's Handicap Hurdle at Ascot in January 2022. Travelling powerfully, he burst clear to scoot home by five lengths. He would then disappoint in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham, but miserable conditions on the day were a solid excuse. 
The Dan Skelton-trained eight year switched to fences last season and faced plenty of stiff tasks against some of Britain's leading novice chasers. A well beaten third behind Jonbon in a Grade One at Sandown would prove the pick of his efforts. Following a strong display in handicap company over fences on Cheltenham's Trials Day when finishing third behind Stage Star, he would return to the Cotswolds to face his old adversary in the Turners Chase. After getting outpaced at a key stage of the race, Unexpected Party rallied well to catch the eye back in fifth place. He would then round out the season with another third in Grade Two company at Ayr behind the reopposing Datsalrightgino.

Retaining his novice status for this season, Unexpected Party returned at Chepstow's opening meeting in a listed novice chase. He would face the high class hurdler Knappers Hill who would be making his debut over fences and the grey jumped neatly to take the scalp of his high profile rival. If he turns up at Cheltenham and performs well once again, a party could be in order for all concerned. Harry Skelton takes the ride for his brother as so often is the case in this family affair.

8: IL RIDOTO (Kapgarde x L'Exporatrice)

Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Jockey: Freddie Gingell (7lbs)
Form: 4416P-
Weight: 10st 10lbs

A once very exciting recruit to British racing when he first arrived from France, Il Ridoto has fought a battle against the assessor ever since but returns to this race in the hope of going closer than twelve months ago.

The son of Kapgarde arrived at Paul Nicholls's stable with a big reputation having won twice over hurdles and placed over fences in his native France. The then four-year-old made a promising debut at Newton Abbot where he finished third but really burst into life at the Coral Gold Cup meeting in 2021. Facing much more experienced sorts in handicap company, he jumped like an old pro and left his rivals standing. It would be a performance that drew comparisons to the brilliant Master Minded, but Il Ridoto would soon find Group One company too hot on his following start. He would then go winless through the remainder of that season but returned with a bang last season. 
Making his seasonal debut in this race, Il Ridoto would still be in contention for the win at the final fence until a bad mistake halted his progress. A fourth place would still be a commendable effort and he would follow it up with another fourth on New Year's Day at Cheltenham. A first win since Newbury fourteen months earlier would emerge on Trials Day in a good quality handicap. He relished the uphill finish that day and repeated that display when sixth at the Festival back in March.

His last start came over the famous Grand National fences in atrocious conditions where he clearly wasn't enjoying the new test. Just like last year, Il Ridoto arrives fresh for this race but runs off a higher rating than last year. The hope remains that his jumping niggles are ironed out and he can finish three places higher this year. Paul Nicholls was quick to hire the sevices of highly touted apprentice Freddie Gingell, who has impressed so many in recent weeks. The seventeen year old will be looking for a career defining victory here.

9: WHISTLEINTHEDARK (Fame And Glory x Last Of Many)
Trainer: Laura Morgan
Jockey: Kevin Brogan
Form: 21111-
Weight: 10st 10lbs

Just like his stablemate Notlongtillmay, Whistleinthedark has improved massively under the care of new trainer Laura Morgan and arrives here on an upward curve.

The point-to-point recruit began life at his first trainer Johnny Farrelly where he finished second over hurdles before moving yards once again to that of Richard Hawker's. He would win at the first attempt over hurdles in narrow fashion but then faced heavy defeats in his next two starts. The rise of Laura Morgan's stable was gaining attention from many and Whistleinthedark was moved stables once again to the Morgan yard. After a narrow second on stable debut, the son of Fame And Glory would not look back with a quadruple of victories over fences, beating some smart types in the process. He signed off for the season with a win in a valuable event at Perth and confirmed the ability of trainer Laura Morgan.

The set up of the stable has seen many horses who perhaps needed encouragement or more care who then improved greatly in the following months. Whistleinthedark may not have achieved the same level of form as Notlongtillmay but arrives on a similar upward curve and gives his fast rising stable a very strong hand in the lineup. Irish born rider Kevin Brogan picks up the spare ride on this progressive runner.

10: ANGELS BREATH (Shantou x Mystic Masie)
Trainer: Sam Thomas
Jockey: Jonathan Burke
Form: 1/P2-2
Weight: 10st 10lbs

A potential success in this race would cap a fantastic piece of training by Sam Thomas as he has brought this once high class youngster back to his very best.

Now quickly rising towards the age of ten, Angels Breath began his career by winning his sole point to point start before joining the all conquering Nicky Henderson stable. Winning a Grade Two novice hurdle on his first start under rules, it led to a promising future ahead. Finishing seventh when strongly fancied for the festival opening Supreme Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2019, he would follow that display with a third place in Grade One company at Aintree. His exploits over hurdles led to an exciting future over fences and he duly delivered later that year with a brace of wins over the larger obstacles. Winning a Grade Two in a match race, Angels Breath would suffer a career-threatening injury in the process of success. 
The grey gelding would be nursed back to full health and made a remarkable return to racing a full three years following his injury. Unsurprisingly he would be pulled up on his comeback, but it was a great sight to see the talented horse back on track. A second place on his next start proved the ability was not lost on Angels Breath and another break over the summer was on the cards. Returning for this season, the son of Shantou posted a very good effort at Cheltenham's opening meeting where he raced prominently throughout and weakened only up the run in. 
After such a long layoff, it is heart warming to see Angels Breath return to a portion of his former talent and with the cobwebs blown away, it is hoped an uninterrupted run can bring about a return to the winners' enclosure. Festival winning rider Jonny Burke picks up the ride on Angels Breath for a potential fairytale story.

11: BLACK GERRY (Westerner x Triptoshan)
Trainer: Gary Moore
Jockey:
Form: 1PP11-
Weight: 10st 8lbs

A talented sort on his day, Black Gerry was at his best when last seen and if his jumping holds up, he has a strong chance of going well.

Running to a useful standard over hurdles, it wouldn't be until Black Gerry faced fences where the eight year old began to deliver on his early promise. Benefitting from the experience over the larger obstacles, the son of Westerner landed his first chase win on his third start in the discipline. Gaining two further wins in 2022, he would progress through the ratings and had impressed with his jumping display in his winning performances. The wheels would soon drop off at the end of 2022 into early 2023 as Black Gerry would seemingly forget how to jump suddenly and was pulled up in successive starts. He returned to form with a bang at the end of the 2022/23 season with a pair of valuable handicap wins. On the first occasion at Ascot, Black Gerry would be held up behind a strong early pace and carve his way through to win the two mile contest. A week later, he would run at the undulating rollercoaster of Plumpton for their Sussex Champion Chase Handicap. Travelling well on slower ground, he would make it a quickfire double of wins and return to his best.
A seemingly quirky sort, Black Gerry appears to be at his best following a strong pace and with softened ground. He has yet to face the two and a half furlong distance of this Paddy Power Handicap Chase, but has plenty of winning form over slightly shorter. The early stages of the race will be critical to his chances. 

12: EASY AS THAT (Sans Frontieres x Bell Storm)

Trainer: Venetia Williams
Jockey: Charlie Deutsch
Form: /2115-
Weight: 10st 7lbs
A typically progressive sort when sent over fences, it comes as no surprise to see the in-form Venetia Williams stable present in a high quality steeplechase race.

The now eight year old has seen very little racing so far in his career with just nine previous starts, but has a healthy winning strike rate. Winning on his racecourse debut in a bumper, the son of Irish St Leger winner Sans Frontieres then made it two from two with a very impressive display. Already showing he possessed a good deal of ability, he started out over hurdles at the end of 2020. His jumping technique would leave plenty to be desired and he lost his unbeaten record by finishing second. More flashes of jumping issues beset his next start when fourth, but finally Easy As That found a breakthrough over obstacles. Stepping up in distance on soft ground at Chepstow, he would still lack fluency in the jumping department and race keenly, but came nicely clear to notch a third lifetime win. Fences would be the next port of call and once again, his technique cost him valuable ground in a match race against a smart sort.  A switch to handicap company saw a much more polished display in the final days of 2022 and Easy As That proved to be well named given the ease of his win. A follow up would come at Newcastle during the Eider Chase meeting in a competitive handicap. Jumping well throughout, Easy As That would dominate the race and it would appear that the earlier issues were a thing of the past. A final start of the season would come at Sandown on the weekend before the Cheltenham Festival, but a lifeless display left connections feeling baffled. 

Clearly a very capable sort on his day, Easy As That will need to shrug off the memories of his previous run. His stable are well known for their staying chasers and it wouldn't be a surprise if plenty of work was put in during the summer to iron out his jumping mistakes. Stable retained rider Charlie Deutsch takes the ride in the bid to enhance his already impressive record when riding over fences. 

13: TORN AND FRAYED (Califet x Chic Et Zen)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies
Jockey: Tom Bellamy
Form: 322P1/
Weight: 10st 1lb

A relatively unknown who makes a return to the track in this daunting race. However, his trainer won this in 2007 with a future Gold Cup winner so they would be confident in the ability of their horse.

The nine year old has shown plenty of ability throughout his career and deserves to have more wins than the three he has already achieved. A well regarded sort, Torn And Frayed would run against some smart types before winning for the first time on his tenth start. He would break his maiden in a moderate class four handicap, but it began the road of progression to this current level. Moving up to fences, the son of Califet would fill the placings in his first three starts and on one occasion, chased home the Grade One winner My Drogo. He would fail to finish on his next start which disappointed many, but he soon bounced back on Trials Day 2022 by showing everyone what he could do. Racing in the Grade Three handicap chase, a race won last year by Il Ridoto and a very similar race to this one, Torn And Frayed jumped well through the race and dashed clear up the run in to score emphatically. 

It was an impressive display when he was last seen and it will be a brilliant piece of training by the Twiston-Davies team if he were to return to that level after nearly two years off the track. The local stable will undoubtedly be keen to land this historic race for the fifth time following Tipping Tim, Imperial Commander, Little Josh and Splash of Ginge. Accomplished rider Tom Bellamy gets the leg up on the returning chaser and won the 2017 edition of this race on the aforementioned Splash Of Ginge.

14: HARPER'S BROOK (Ask x Un Jour D Ete)
Trainer: Ben Pauling
Jockey: Kielan Woods
Form: 215P2- 
Weight: 10st 0lbs

Hailing from a stable who are no strangers to big handicap success on this course, Harper's Brook begins his second season over fences with a relatively low rating compared to his ability.

Joining the Lambourn racing hub at Ben Pauling's stable on the back of a wide margin winning debut in the point-to-point scene, Harper's Brook would make a satisfactory start to life under rules with a third at Wetherby behind the classy Hillcrest. He would the make a perfect start to hurdles with a strong finishing success at Carlisle, showing plenty of stamina. Following a fourth at Grade Two level and another second place, Harper's Brook signed off his novice hurdle season with an effortless win at Ffos Las. His first season over fences would be a mixed bag and after winning at the second time of asking, he would trail in last on New Year's Day in this year's Grade Two Dipper Novice Chase. Stepped up in distance for the Ultima Handicap, he would struggle in the hotter company and pulled up. His final start at the season-ending meeting at Sandown was riddled with drama as he travelled and jumped fluently before taking over the lead at the final fence. Facing the long uphill run-in, Harper's Brook began to idle and run on the spot. It gave a second chance for his rival Gloire D'Anthon to repass him close home.

It would be a frustrating way to sign off a promising season, but at the same time showed his talent. A habitual front runner, Harper's Brook will more than likely face competition for the early lead and provided he is still there at the business end of the race, the steep run in at Cheltenham will pose a further challenge. 

Story Of The Race:

Winner: STAGE STAR
Second: Notlongtillmay
Third: Il Ridoto 
Fourth: Fugitif 
Fifth: Unexpected Party
Sixth: Easy As That
Seventh: Angels Breath
Eighth: Whistleinthedark
Ninth: Final Orders:
Tenth: Harper's Brook
DNF: The Real Whacker, Black Gerry, Authorized Art (Pulled Up), Torn And Frayed (Fell). 
Distances: 4 Lengths, 8 Lengths, 4 Lengths.

The rain during the week leading up to the race turned the ground to the slower side and a shower overnight worsened the ground further to officially "soft". As the runners and riders stepped out of the walkway and onto the course ahead of the start, an unpleasant drizzle shower began to fall on the area which would provide typical national hunt racing weather. 
Early tactics were quite easy to predict with the likes of habitual front runners Stage Star and The Real Whacker in the line up so it was unsurprising to see last season's star novices line up at the head of affairs. As the tapes dropped, a big cheer from the crowd sent the runners on their way from the starting point in the middle of the track. 

Stage Star and The Real Whacker produced some big jumps early on before settling into a rhythm as they passed the stands for the first time. In a tightly bunched group, the likes of Il Ridoto, Authorized Art, Fugitif and Unexpected Party were close to the pace. The largely experienced field jumped throughout the race without issue and mistakes were kept to a minimum. The mauve colours of Stage Star held a narrow lead over The Real Whacker as the field reached the highest point of the track, the critical stage of the race at the fourth last fence. Fugitif began to make ground on the leaders into second but the warning signs began to flash for The Real Whacker who began to backpedal at the downhill point of the race. The order had changed greatly by the time the race reached the business end, but Stage Star bravely held the lead. His old rival Notlongtillmay had cruised into contention on the outside flank of the pack and in a similar scene to last March, gave chase to the leader. Harry Cobden and Stage Star rounded the home bend with a narrow advantage and produced a stunning jump over the second last fence. With a healthy lead approaching the final fence, racegoers and the legion of Owners Group members held their breath as time stood still. With the race at his mercy, Stage Star left the ground a stride too early and landed almost on top of the fence. As his front end plummeted to the ground, it looked almost certain that Stage Star would exit stage left from the race. A huge gasp was drawn from the crowd as they witnessed the horse stagger back to his feet and regain his balance. Gathering his bearings once again, Stage Star and Harry Cobden still had the run in to navigate. The near catastrophe for Stage Star was almost a blessing for Notlongtillmay as the Laura Morgan-trained gelding saw his opportunity to win. However, Stage Star would power away again from his old adversary and produce a remarkable victory in one of the biggest races of the season. 

A long way from the last fence drama, the winner's stablemate Il Ridoto ran well to take third place under young Freddie Gingell while Fugitif weakened into fourth for a respectable seasonal debut. Unexpected Party ran an uneventful race to take fifth while Easy As That caught the eye with a strong finish up the hill into sixth, stealing that place away from Angels Breath. Torn And Frayed was still in contention for the minor placings at the second last before taking a tired fall, thankfully he got back to his feet unharmed. The big disappointment would be The Real Whacker who surrendered his unbeaten Cheltenham record over fences by pulling up. It was clear that he didn't enjoy being challenged for the early lead by Stage Star.

Returning to the winner, it was a hugely impressive display from the second season chaser who has now undoubtedly gained respect by many. Despite winning two Grade One races in his career, plenty of questions were raised about how much he actually achieved, but this weight carrying and jumping display was a joy to witness. Many will talk about the final fence blunder more than his win, but it was a testament to his agility to quickly save himself from danger. Many final obstacle dramas have taken place at this course, namely Annie Power and Galopin Des Champs, and Stage Star almost joined that list. His natural ability to pull clear for a second time up the hill laid down his claim to the top of the chasing tree. A hugely exciting season is in store for his owners as the Ryanair Chase remains his Festival target. Following a path trodden by Imperial Commander in 2007-08, there could even be a chance to replicate that horse's Gold Cup victory further down the line. 

A perfectly named racehorse; Star by name, star by nature.