Historical Clues: Caspian Caviar Gold Cup

Five horses have won the Paddy Power Gold Cup (or one of its earlier incarnations) on two occasions but it was not until 2010 that Poquelin became the first dual winner of Cheltenham's other valuable sponsored handicap chase in the pre-Christmas period, the race known then as the Vote A. P. Gold Cup and which now goes by the title of the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup. The 2009/10 edition of Chasers & Hurdlers explains how events unfolded…

“Dave's Dream, a winner over two miles on the eve of the Paddy Power, was the 5/1 favourite for the Vote A. P. Gold Cup, ahead of Little Josh and the Paddy Power sixth Great Endeavour, with Paul Nicholls' apparent first string, the novice Robinson Collonges, completing the first four in the betting.

“However, while a bad mistake three out put paid to the chances of Robinson Collonges, things went much more smoothly for Poquelin after he had recovered from a rare error of his own at the previous fence. He took the lead from Little Josh before two out and, maintaining his advantage to the line, had a length to spare over Great Endeavour, with Sunnyhillboy, another stepping up on his Paddy Power effort, staying on from the rear another six lengths back in third. Robinson Collonges and Dave's Dream were among those well beaten, as was Tony McCoy on 25/1-chance Finger Onthe Pulse (though he did go on to win BBC Sports Personality of the Year!).”

Poquelin defied a 12 lb higher mark than when winning the race the year before, putting up a high-class performance which appeared to boost his claims in the Ryanair Chase at the Festival where he had finished runner-up to Albertas Run in 2010. However, Poquelin finished only fourth (albeit a respectable effort on form) to the same rival. He won an uncompetitive handicap (where the rest of the field were out of the weights) on his next start but failed to add to his tally in eight subsequent outings, eventually retired after pulling up in a handicap at the 2013 Cheltenham Festival.

Clue no.1 – Festival hurdling form

Poquelin ran in the Triumph Hurdle

Last year’s winner Frodon also ran in the Triumph, while earlier in their careers, Tamarinbleu (2005) ran in the County Hurdle, Quantitativeeasing (2010) ran in the Coral Cup, while Double Ross (2013) and Village Vic (2015) ran in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap at the Festival.

Plenty of candidates:

Of this year’s line-up, Clan des Obeaux finished sixth in the 2016 Triumph, Starchitect was fourth in the 2015 Fred Winter before finishing fifth in the County a year later, while Long House Hall was second in the 2016 Coral Cup.

Romain de Senam’s ride when second in the 2016 Fred Winter came under the scrutiny of the stewards, Ballyalton was second in the 2014 Neptune, while Splash of Ginge sandwiched two chase runs at the Festival with outings in the Supreme Novices’ and Pertemps Final. Finally, Guitar Pete was third in the 2014 Triumph when trained by Dessie Hughes.

Clue no.2 - Paddy Power form

Poquelin ran in the race known as the Paddy Power Gold Cup prior to each of his two wins

Last year’s winner Frodon also used that race as a stepping stone, while Quantitativeeasing also followed the same route to Caspian Caviar Gold Cup glory.

Seven of Saturday’s line-up ran in the equivalent race last month, in which Splash of Ginge ran out a neck winner from Starchitect, with Le Prezien, Ballyalton and Romain de Senam the next three home.

Clue no.3 – Progressive

Poquelin had recorded career-best performances on his two preceding starts

Le Prezien equalled his best last time, however the only apparently feasible candidate who improved again in the Paddy Power and who fits all three clue categories is Starchitect. Long House Hall fits the criteria, but this is a tough race in which to make a return from 518 days off, while Deauville Dancer has been steadily improving at a lower level and isn’t one to take lightly.