A Plus Tard Odds Slash as Rachael Blackmore Looks to Retain Gold Cup
In anticipation of today’s Gold Cup, all eyes are turning to the bookies as the odds shift as we get closer to 15:30.
Irish-trained Galopin des Champs remains the bookie’s favourite.
The bookies tip the winner of this year’s Irish Gold Cup to make it a double today.
With odds at 13/8, it will be well-backed by punters.
Having fallen at the last fence in the Champion Hurdle last year, trainer Willie Mullins will hope Paul Townend can guide him to victory.
A Plus Tard to retain?
The biggest mover in the odds this week is last year’s winner A Plus Tard.
The Henry De Bromhead-owned horse hasn’t had the best build-up to the festival, having pulled up in November’s Betfair Chase in its only race since victory last year.
But the Irish-trained horse is said to be well prepared for today’s race and has every chance of retaining its title.
Odds were showing at an average of 4/1 on most bookmakers but slashed to as low as 7/2 by early this morning.
With jockey Rachael Blackmore back aboard, it would be wrong to rule them out of competing for the win.
Other Contenders
King George IV winner Bravemansgame currently sits as the third favourite with the bookies.
With odds at 13/2, owner Paul Mullin will look to score a victory for the British trainers.
He’s shown nothing but class all season, but his lack of Cheltenham experience has created one or two question marks from some tipsters.
Other notable names in today’s blue-ribbon race include the 2022 Grand National winner Noble Yeats.
After being ridden to victory by now-retired jockey Sam Waley-Cohen, trainer Emmet Mullins will be hoping jockey Sean Bowen can get right involved with the favourites.
Coming in at 14/1 currently, he has an outside chance.
But some experts have asked whether he has the class for a race like this.
Today’s dark horse may come from 2021 Gold Cup winner Minella Indo.
Despite being another Irish-trained horse in Henry De Bromhead’s camp, he is not being favourably backed by bookmakers.
But with odds of 20/1, he offers a solid each-way bet.
His victory at Tramore on New Year’s Day does suggest a place finish is within its range.
It will be intriguing to see if there are any other movements in the odds as we get closer to race time, and all eyes will be on Prestbury Park to see who can take the 2023 Gold Cup.
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