Paddy Power Gold Cup betting: Stage Star favourite for more Cheltenham success

Fugitif (pictured below) will make his reappearance 22lb higher in the weights than when filling the runner-up spot at this meeting 12 months ago, but Hobson believes he is better than ever and did not feel it necessary to give him a prep run ahead of his latest bid for big-race glory.

He said: “Fugitif is in good shape. He’ll have his final bit of work tomorrow (Tuesday), he’ll have a pop (over fences) on Thursday and as long as that all goes smoothly we’re all set for Saturday.

“We decided we’d go straight there. I was thinking he was going to get there too soon fitness-wise, but actually he’ll just be spot-on.

“He ran lovely over two miles first time out last season and wouldn’t have been as fit as he is this time round, but he’s gone up a few pounds since then.”

On the prospect of potentially encountering testing conditions this weekend, Hobson added: “The wetter the better for him – you saw him at Chepstow last year. I think it’s just going to be nice, soft ground and that will be fine.

“He’s a strong horse and not far off 18 hands. He’s a weight carrier, he’s improved through the summer and he’s got a beautiful weight (11st 5lb) – I could nearly ride him myself!”

There are 14 horses still in contention with Laura Morgan’s pair of Notlongtillmay and Whistleinthedark, the Sam Thomas-trained Angels Breath and Authorized Art from the Willie Mullins yard having also stood their ground.

Coral’s David Stevens said: “A few runners have attracted support for Saturday’s big race in recent days, with Unexpected Party, Fugitif and Il Ridoto all popular this week, but Stage Star has been the long-time market leader and looks unlikely to relinquish that position now.”

2023 Paddy Power Gold Cup betting odds

9/2 Stage Star

7/1 Notlongtillmay, The Real Whacker, Unexpected Party

8/1 Fugitif

9/1 Il Ridoto

12/1 Angels Breath, Harper’s Brook

14/1 Easy As That, Torn And Frayed

20/1 Authorized Art, Final Orders, Whistleinthedark

25/1 Black Gerry

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All odds and markets correct as of date of publication