20/1 ante-post tip for the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham

The Paddy Power Gold Cup at the famous Cheltenham November meeting is nearly upon us. It signals that real racing, or in other words jumps racing, has properly returned. Our expert Adrian Wall has studied the race in great depth and thinks he has found some great value. Here we will provide you with his angle into the race and a 20/1 tip to boot.

Nicholls is red-hot

Paul Nicholls may have had a tough few years but there are signs that he is about to get back to the very top of late. He is banging winners in everywhere at present and has had a fast start to the season. Paul went on record saying that he has backed Harry Cobden to win the jockeys championship this year. He got cracking odds of 33-1 at the time.

Ditcheat currently have six horses entered in the Paddy Power Gold Cup. It is likely that two or three of them won’t run. Grand Sancy was beaten 56 lengths in the Grade 2 Rising Stars’ Novices’ Chase at Wincanton at the weekend. That wasn’t his true running and it will be a major surprise if Paul has him in order for this race which is just a week later.

Master Tommytucker has an entry at Huntingdon on the 10th of November so might be another who could swerve this race. Saint Sonnet will definitely run in the race though and has been talked up so much that he is currently the favourite. The French import was a four-time winner in France and won nicely on debut for Paul at Catterick in February. He was well beaten when 7th in the Marsh Novices’ Chase behind Samcro but he’s interesting now handicapping.

Southfield Stone won over course and distance when last seen and is entitled to plenty of respect off the back of that effort if he lines up. Modus hacked up at Aintree over the weekend but again this may come too soon for him. JP McManus had an incredible Saturday and has the most interesting Nicholls runner in the field for us.

20/1 ante-post tip

JP McManus will want a runner in this race and with Modus’ participation in doubt, BRELAN D’AS is the horse to side with. This horse was a very unlucky loser in this race last year. Held up mid-division, he made smooth headway three out and stayed on powerfully up the hill. The winner on the day, Happy Diva, was ultra-game out in front and just denied Barry Geraghty by a neck. They were eight lengths clear of the third so if he turns up in the same mood this year, a five pound higher mark won’t prevent him from going very close.