Irish Gold Cup big-race verdict: “He should be able to land the big one!” 🏆

“This could be the day he gets his long-awaited day in the sun”

Last year’s Gold Cup winner Minella Indo needs to bounce back to form but might just need this run before he goes for the Gold Cup again in March. Kemboy is a high-class chaser who ran a cracker in the Savills last time out but is now a 10-year-old. Frodon is entitled to respect but this could be the day Asterion Forlonge gets his long-awaited day in the sun.

Desperately unlucky when unseating rider in the John Durkan when cruising, he fell at the last when booked for second in the King George. If he can get around unscathed, he should be able to land the big one – Adrian Wall

“A double figure price is too big”

Unusually for a Grade 1, most of these arrive with plenty of questions to answer. This looks sure to be run at a good pace with both Frodon and Kemboy liking to set the fractions so stamina reserves are going to be important. With so many doubts about the entire field, it wouldn’t be the biggest surprise to see Delta Work perked up by first-time cheekpieces.

He frankly ran appallingly in the Savills at Christmas but it would not be the first time that he has bounced back from a below-par run. He’s a triple Grade 1 winner over course and distance, including this race in 2020. It’s fair to say that he has plenty to prove but a double-figure price is too big each way with three places on offer in a race where nothing appeals as a rock-solid option – Matt Newman

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