Dublin Racing Festival to ignite debate over Cheltenham Gold Cup favourites

It’s fair to say that punters have been reasonably cautious with the current ante-post betting markets. As it stands in mid-January, Al Boum Photo leads the way at 4/1(Bet365), followed closely by Kemboy (5/1), Clan Des Obeaux (6/1) and Lostintranslation (7/1). Others like Delta Work, Presenting Percy and Santini come in under 10/1, providing a cluttered market that has left many scratching their head looking for clues.

There are various reasons for this – let’s call it a lack of consensus. For instance, Clan Des Obeaux’s latest King George VI chase victory wasn’t greeted with the same fervour as Christmas 2018 due to Paul Nicholl’s charge facing a much-reduced field, with only Lostintranslation, who pulled up, likely to feature in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Other factors have played a part, like Kemboy’s suspension woes, and his subsequent disappointing effort when making his first appearance of the season in late December.

Cheltenham Clues at Leopardstown

While the Cheltenham Gold Cup market has been relatively muted, we might find some clues in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown on 2^nd February. Not usually a great indicator for Cheltenham success, if you exclude Sizing John’s 2017 victory, the 2020 Irish Gold Cup is littered with runners who will be well-backed for Cheltenham.

Delta Work and Kemboy, both of whom can be backed for the Gold Cup with the latest Cheltenham free bets, share the status as favourites for the Leopardstown feature, with the best price for the former the 2/1 at William Hill and Sky Bet going 2/1 for the latter. Most bookies are split on them, however, with several installing the pair as co-favourites at 7/4.

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Several runners can make claims to rocket up the Cheltenham Gold Cup markets with victory, or at least a good showing, at Leopardstown. Bellshill 16/1, Chris’s Dream 8/1 and Death Duty 25/1 are all at least 33/1 or above for the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Victory would likely see their odds tumble ahead of the big showdown on 13^th March, not to mention giving their trainers something to chew on when it comes to declarations.

Kemboy and Delta Work do Battle

However, one feels that it is the showdown between Kemboy and Delta Work that could really light the touch paper for Cheltenham. Both have much to prove, and have, on occasion, been frustratingly disappointing for punters. And yet, we know it’s a talented pair who would not look out of place among the top ranks at the Gold Cup.

Delta Work, in particular, looks to be an intriguing figure in the Cheltenham ante-post markets. As it stands, he can be found at 9/1 with William Hill and a couple of others for the Gold Cup. A win in the Irish version will prompt many to back him to deliver a second Gold Cup into the hands of Gordon Elliott and Gigginstown. However, one would raise concerns about the distance. Used to travelling 3 miles and not much further, Delta Work will have to find a bit more over the extra couple of furlongs and that uphill finish.

Perhaps the Irish Gold Cup will end up giving us more questions than answers. After all, that’s hardly uncommon in racing. But one suspects it will reignite the debate regardless. And, who knows? We might see only the fourth horse in history, coming after Jodami (1993), Imperial Call (1996) and Sizing John in 2017, to take both the Irish and Cheltenham Gold Cups in the same year.