December Gold Cup Runners Guide – Fugitif & Il Ridoto Battle at Cheltenham Yet Again

Another calendar year of horse racing at Cheltenham draws to a close with 11 December Gold Cup runners taking part in the feature Premier Handicap of the two-day meeting before Christmas. That extended two-and-a-half mile handicap chase headlines the card on Saturday, 14 December with plenty of familiar faces for punters on show.

No fewer than five course and distance winners run in the big race around Prestbury Park on the New Course. In amongst the market principals and notable December Gold Cup runners are last year’s winner Fugitif and second Il Ridoto.

This pair are well-acquainted after their ding-dong battle 12 months ago. Richard Hobson’s stable star Fugitif prevailed that day, but only just. Il Ridoto gained revenge on his rival when landing the Paddy Power Gold Cup on the Old Course during last month’s November Meeting.

Paul Nicholls could have two December Gold Cup runners here as then with Stage Star set to frame the handicap. Fellow eight-year-old Ga Law is yet another Cheltenham standing dish in Premier Handicaps like these for Jamie Snowden, meanwhile.

Potentially well-weighted pair Madara and Grandeur D’Ame complete the market principals. Our horse racing experts provide a runner by runner guide to the big race. This allows punters to see the profile of the horses before heading to Cheltenham betting sites and taking a punt.

December Gold Cup Runners Guide

1. Stage Star

Five from 10 over fences including two New Course victories as a novice. Built on that with Paddy Power Gold Cup triumph off 155 on reappearance last season. Not in same form since, pulling up on New Year’s Day and only fifth (when sent off 6/1) in the Ryanair Chase. Last but one in the Grade 2 Old Roan at Aintree on reappearance off 163 latest. Needs a revival.

2. Ga Law

Festival Trials Day Premier Handicap winner over course and distance of 150 earlier this year. Found Ryanair Chase too hot subsequently, but string of seconds off marks in the mid-150s suggests he’s there or thereabouts. Chased home Grandeur D’Ame around Chepstow on reappearance, then filled same spot behind Il Ridoto in the Paddy Power last month latest. One of the December Gold Cup runners to note.

3. Le Patron

Romped home to seven-length success in the old Open Handicap Chase during the Winter Carnival at Newbury off 146 latest. Assessor has taken that form literally with half-a-stone rise here. Best caught before Christmas as a novice last season and completed a hat-trick with Grade 1 glory in the Henry VIII. Not impossible he can follow-up as he could still be improving, but pulling up in the Turners at the Festival a worry.

4. Fugitif

Potentially well-handicapped as he’s 1lb lower than when getting up to deny Il Ridoto over course and distance in this very race 12 months ago. Campaigned somewhat strangely since, perhaps with a view to coming back for the defence of his crown. Never nearer third in the Clarence House Chase moved to this venue on Festival Trials Day after Ascot abandoned. Pulled up at both the Festival and Aintree in the spring. Shaped as if needing the run when fifth in the Paddy Power Gold Cup latest and should strip fitter for reappearance like last season.

5. Il Ridoto

Dual Premier Handicap winner with victories on the Old Course latest and the new. An 8lb rise for his albeit decisive Paddy Power Gold Cup success looks harsh. He was well-treated for that last assignment, but now has a career high mark that his profile shows he probably cannot win off. Trainer keeps faith with the same claimer, but the official weight carried is 13lb more. Could pay to look at other December Gold Cup runners, but he’s a Cheltenham regular in events like this.

6. Sure Touch

Four from seven over fences and only finished out of the frame in this sphere on the Grand National course when fifth in the Grand Sefton off 143 latest. Highly progressive before that, however, and won 2m 5f Premier Handicap over the summer at Market Rasen. Stays further, but lacks Cheltenham experience. Could still have more to offer as a chaser.

7. In Excelsis Deo

Prone to mistakes when jumping fences, but it held up for a Grade 2 course and distance success at the April Meeting off 137. Eye-catching fifth when home in front of James Du Berlais and Il Ridoto in the Festival Plate before that. Pulled up in the Galway Plate over the summer and unseated four out in the Paddy Power Gold Cup latest. One of the December Gold Cup runners carrying a threat if cutting out the errors.

8. Madara

Won the 2m handicap chase at this meeting last year off 130. He then socked it to the Irish with a Listed victory during the Dublin Racing Festival (133). Struggled off marks in the low 140s over that shorter trip, but took a big step back in the right direction with fine fourth in the Paddy Power Gold Cup latest. Dropped 1lb by the assessor and that looks generous as he got hampered four out. Definitely one of the Cheltenham favourites as he’s better off at the weights with Il Ridoto and Ga Law.

9. Gemirande

Second past post in 2023 Silver Trophy off 1lb lower than current mark, but demoted to third by stewards for causing interference. Cashed in on reduced rating of 128 when making all over 2m 5f at Ascot on reappearance after winless campaign last term. Yard in terrific form and could build on successful return to action. Don’t discount him among the December Gold Cup runners.

10. Guard Your Dreams

Fourth and third in novice handicap chases off his current mark on the Old Course in October and November. Now into open company. Won Grade 2 International Hurdle at this meeting three years ago, but has had injury-interrupted career. Needs to improve on his Cheltenham chasing form to really have any say in the finish here.

11. Grandeur D’Ame

Fourth in this race from 3lb out of the weights last year, then unlucky when unseating at the first on Festival Trials Day. Bounced back to form with two-length victory over Ga Law at Chepstow on reappearance with Il Ridoto in-behind. Raised 4lb for the assessor by that, but definitely worth another chance to prove himself at Cheltenham. One of the more appealing December Gold Cup runners off bottom weight.

Verdict

There should be plenty more to come from MADARA over this trip following his really eye-catching fourth in the Paddy Power last month. Il Ridoto and Ga Law may now be in the grip of the handicapper, so last year’s winner Fugitif rates a big danger to the selection. At the other end of the weights, Grandeur D’Ame saw his Chepstow form franked at the November Meeting and looks to have been laid out for this.

Jamie Clark

Senior sports editor

Jamie Clark has been covering the Cheltenham Festival for over a decade, firstly during his time as the Sports Editor of Coral bookmakers. His father and godfather ran a trackside bookie's pitch at Market Rasen for many years, so horse racing is in his blood. Very much a specialist in the sport, Jamie is our go-to expert on all things Cheltenham.

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