The Ridoto faces 14 rivals as he attempts to win the Paddy Power Gold Cup for a second successive year at Cheltenham on Saturday.
Paddy Power ambassador Harry Cobden takes the ride and the gelding's handicap is just 1lb higher compared to last year's winning score.
Jag He leads the field after making a 9lb weight gain in last year's Plate Handicap Chase and the top weighter is looking to maintain his perfect record at Cheltenham.
Gavin Cromwell The company sergeant chased him home at the Festival and returns to the road after failing to score at the Galway Plate and the Kerry National in the summer.
The Navan-based farm also saddles The other Mozzie, Comes very easily And theater Indigenous Make the journey across the Irish Sea for Henry de Bromhead Conyers hill for Paul Nolan.
Dan Skelton is aiming to grab as much of the £160,000 prize pot as possible Like funny smoke, Panic attack And Riskintheground Go to his stable.
Paddy Power Gold Cup odds can be found on the Paddy Power website and app. Otherwise, see Timeform's guide to contestants and betting tips below.
Paddy Power Gold Cup 2025 verdict
Tense: Jag was one of the most progressive horses in training over fences last year, winning four of his five starts and culminating in Plate success at the Festival. He looks like a top-notch artist through and through and is eager to defy the appraiser again and win another big prize. Vincenzo finished last season with a good second place at Newbury and is feared for the red-hot Sam Thomas stable. Panic Attack, Thecompanysergeant and last year's winner Il Ridoto are also being considered.
*All prices are up to date with our nifty widgets, while odds in the text are correct at the time of publication but are subject to change
Runners and riders of the 2025 Paddy Power Gold Cup
The following horses have been entered for the 2025 Paddy Power Gold Cup.
Jag
trainer: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero jockey: Jonjo O'Neill Jr. Old:6 Weight: 12.0lbs
A good-looking guy who improved rapidly over fences as a novice, winning four of his five starts, including the Timeform Novices' Handicap, and picking up an extra win when he landed the plate here at the Festival in March (20.6f). Up 9lbs on return but there will certainly be more this term.
*****
The other Mozzie
trainer: Gavin Cromwell jockey: Eoin Staples Old:6 Weight: 11. 11 lbs
Three-time Chase winner (up to 18f) who performed best when seventh in the Gr 2 Novice Handicap at the Festival in March and was better than ever when finishing in the Ayr Scotty Brand Chase in April. He was below average in the Punchestown hurdles in May, but he was fresh beforehand.
***
Bad
trainer: Ben Pauling jockey: Ben Jones Old:6 Weight: 11. 11 lbs
Responded well to blinders at the start of the year, winning two handicap chases at Kempton (20.5f). Good fifth place in the last game at Sandown (20f) and proved better than ever with his headgear off when he scored on the return at the former venue four weeks ago. The headgear now returns, but this is a more difficult task.
***
The company sergeant
trainer: Gavin Cromwell jockey: Keith Donoghue Old:8 Weight: 11. 10 lbs
Had a cracker at the Festival in March after a spin over hurdles chasing home Jagwar in the Plate and has since looked in good company to be still ahead of his mark, although his jumps/endurance were less certain in sixth place in the Kerry National (23.8f) in September. Interesting way back.
***
Comes very easily
trainer: Henry de Bromhead jockey: DJ O'Keeffe Old:7 Weight: 11. 8 lbs
Hurdle winner who showed a completely different strength when he rode aggressively over fences and brilliantly took a hat-trick in the 13-runner handicap competition at Killarney (20.8f) in August. Now it's 10 pounds more, but it's entirely conceivable that this low-mileage 7-year-old has more to offer.
***
The Ridoto
trainer: Paul Nicholls jockey:Harry Cobden Old:8 Weight: 11. 8 lbs
8 year old who was a good winner of this race 12 months ago. The handicapper appeared to be in control after that, but his second place in the season's win at Chepstow (19.5f) five weeks ago gave him encouragement. The usual cheek pieces are now back on and it's no surprise to see a bold appearance.
***
Riskintheground
trainer:Dan Skelton jockey: Tristan Durrell Old:8 Weight: 11. 8 lbs
Had a great time last term, scoring six goals including the silver trophy against C&D in April. Bounced back with a solid fourth place in the Summer Plate in July and showed his ability when he returned to winning ways in the small field Intermediate Chase at Newton Abbot (21f) last month. However, this requires further progress.
***
Vincenzo
trainer:Sam Thomas jockey:Dylan Johnston Old:7 Weight: 11. 3 lbs
A likeable guy who was successful over fences at heights of around 2m in two of his first three starts last winter and took his form even further when he finished a stunning second in the Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury (19.8f) in March. He has a big race ahead of him on this basis and returns with a good yardage. Tighten the tongue strap again.
****
Conyers Hill
trainer: Paul Nolan jockey: SF O'Keeffe Old:7 Weight: 11. 1 lb
Did well without suffering a decisive setback when finishing sixth in last season's Grand Annual and second in both subsequent outings 6 months apart, most recently in Limerick 4 weeks ago (19.2f). Hasn't competed in many races this trip, but there's a suspicion he'll have to work harder to play a leading role here.
***
Panic attack
trainer:Dan Skelton jockey:Harry Skelton Old:9 Weight: 11. 1 lb
9-year-old mare who made short work of her rivals when she earned a reduced mark over fences for this yard at Windsor in January (20.2f). She had been absent since finishing a good second in the hurdles at Warwick a month later, but that was probably on her mind for some time and should be remembered for bigger obstacles.
***
Theater native
trainer: Henry de Bromhead jockey:Sean Bowen Old:7 Weight: 11. 1 lb
7-year-old mare who was able to further expand on her promise at the start when she easily achieved the beginner's handicap for the 7-runner mares (20.6f) here in April. Below his best after starting at Punchestown but back on track when third of 9 in the Limerick Handicap Chase 27 days ago (19.2f) and the booking of Sean Bowen caught the eye here.
***
It's perfect
trainer: Alan King jockey:Tom Bellamy Old: 10 Weight: 11.0lbs
In the second season she was twice successful over fences, most recently at Sandown (20f) in February, and continued her good work when she finished fifth in the Grade 2 Novice Handicap at the Festival in March, only shooting out of bounds in close proximity. Mark is probably right, but the balance is positive.
***
Like funny smoke
trainer:Dan Skelton jockey: Kielan Woods Old:7 Weight: 10. 11 pounds
Improved moved to fences last season, winning twice at Sandown. Excuses at Bet365 on the last start and plenty of encouragement from his reappearance when third in the 25f wide field handicap here 21 days ago, right in the middle of the action before closing in the final 100 yards. The two-way player falls behind in the trip.
***
Hunter legend
trainer: Venetia Williams jockey: Charlie German Old:8 Weight: 10. 9 lbs
Hasn't looked back since attention shifted to bigger obstacles, taking a fifth win in his last eight starts in dominant fashion in his last outing at Bangor in April (20.3f). This assignment poses a very different question than the best of his career, but it's unlikely we've seen everything he has to offer.
***
Issar d'Airy
trainer: Gary & Josh Moore jockey:Freddie Mitchell Old:7 Weight: 10.7lbs
Winless since the start of 2024, he finished second over fences in four of his six starts last season. However, he was disappointed when he jumped out as he left the field behind in a strongly run race at Ascot again two weeks ago, and he can afford no mistakes in that task.
**
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