Ginny’s Destiny takes on 14 rivals in today’s Paddy Power Gold Cup Handicap Chase (16h20), at Cheltenham’s November meeting.
The eight-year-old, trained by Paul Nicholls, won three times at the course last year, and can continue his great form at Prestbury Park with victory.
He makes his seasonal reappearance over a course and distance he loves, escaping top-weight due to the presence of Protektorat, and represents a stable in form.
Day 2 of Cheltenham’s November meeting features the Paddy Power Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Pic – The Jockey Club)
After success in a Novices’ Handicap Chase here in January he subsequently lined up for the Gr1 Turners Novices’ Chase at the Festival in March, finishing a two length second behind Grey Dawning. He then only found the smart Il Etait Temps too strong in the Manifesto at Aintree.
That’s Group 1 form that he brings to this contest, which makes him the horse to beat under champion Harry Cobden.
Stablemate Il Ridoto provides Nicholls with strong back-up having finished third in the race last year. Freddie Gingell’s claim means he runs off bottom weight and he has the benefit of a run this season when fifth at Chepstow last month.
Lets Go Champ raids from Ireland for the top yard of Henry de Bromhead. He looks a threat judged on his Group 3 success at Punchestown last season and comes here carrying joint bottom weight for his shrewd trainer.
Ga Law, the mount of Gavin Sheehan is another very much in the mix. The winner of this race in 2022 carrying 2lb less than on Saturday, he had a great prep last month at Chepstow.
Earlier on the card, Dan Skelton’s L’Eau Du Sud appeals in the Paddy Power Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial Novices’ Chase (15h45). The grey, who runs in Sir Alex Ferguson’s colours, made his debut over fences at Stratford last month and he showed a great amount of promise to score by 10 lengths.
Second to Absurde at the Festival here last March, this lightly raced six-year-old should be followed.
