How can Djakadam and Cue Card get among Cheltenham Gold Cup Dons?

With question marks over the stamina of other rivals such as Cue Card, it would be no surprise to see one of these Irish raiders outstay his rivals up the Cheltenham hill.

Treble on the Cards?

Cue Card has returned to the form that saw him bolt up in the Ryanair Chase back in 2013. Victories in the Betfair Chase and then the King George VI set him up for a tilt at Gold Cup glory, but there are questions marks over his stamina over the extended trip.

If the Colin Tizzard-trained gelding can get the better of the strong Irish contingent then owner Jean Bishop would pick up a £1 million bonus for completing a Grade 1 chase treble.

Paddy Brennan, who has won the Gold Cup before on board Imperial Commander, believes his mount has a “massive chance” of landing the most sought after race of the festival.

Vautour has franked the King George form after obliterating his Ryanair rivals on Thursday. If Cue Card can see out the trip we could be seeing another crowd favourite back in the winner’s enclosure.

Smad Place has each way claims

Promising seven-year-old, Djakadam thrashed stablemate Valseur Lido on his seasonal reappearance before falling here in January. Last year’s runner-up has the potential to go one better under the in-form Ruby Walsh, however the drying ground could be an issue.

On His Own (66/1) completes a strong Mullins trio having finished second in this two years ago but it held on form by his Gigginstown stablemate.

Another interesting contender is Alan King’s Smad Place (8/1) who won the Hennessey very impressively back in November. King’s nine-year-old put in a solid round of jumping to win at Cheltenham over the extended 3m trip so may be the main danger to the market principles.

Carlingford Lough and Rebecca Curtis’ duo, Irish Cavalier and O’Faolains Boy, complete the nine-strong field.

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