November 02 / 15.45 Ascot

15.45

Good

Sodexo Live! Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £56950
  • 2m 7f 180y
  • Class 1
  • 10 runners
ITV4
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Sodexo Live! Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

OUR TIP

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.75
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 11214- CD

Last run: 204 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 152

Form & Verdict
Top weights have a poor record (just one win in 18 years) but this 7yo had form figures of 1121 in handicap chases at about this trip last season and didn't disgrace himself in a Grade 1 at Aintree the final time; uncomplicated prominent racer who usually jumps well and commands the utmost respect; has won on good but softer might be preferable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

13th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Cheltenham

Chianti Classico

12st 0lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey

Usually races prominently and can make the running; 7yo who had form figures of 1121 in handicap chases at 3m-3m1f last season, notably with a triumph on heavy ground here at the Festival, and he resumed with clearcut win on good in valuable handicap at Ascot six weeks ago; up another 5lb but the extra distance should help and he remains a fine prospect.

6/4

3rd

1

13th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Cheltenham

Chianti Classico

12st 0lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey

Usually races prominently and can make the running; 7yo who had form figures of 1121 in handicap chases at 3m-3m1f last season, notably with a triumph on heavy ground here at the Festival, and he resumed with clearcut win on good in valuable handicap at Ascot six weeks ago; up another 5lb but the extra distance should help and he remains a fine prospect.

6/4

7/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 1/1P1- D

Last run: 194 days

W: 10st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Will need his best form yet off this career-high mark but he's 4-5 over fences, goes particularly well on right-handed tracks and his record fresh is a further positive; might still be on fair terms with the handicapper given potential for further improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

2nd May 2025

Good

2m 4f 127y

Class 5

20:05 Cheltenham

Highstakesplayer

12st 4lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Tom Lacey

held up in rear, midfield 4th, prominent 8th, pressed winner approaching last, kept on

4/1

2nd

2

2nd May 2025

Good

2m 4f 127y

Class 5

20:05 Cheltenham

Highstakesplayer

12st 4lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Tom Lacey

held up in rear, midfield 4th, prominent 8th, pressed winner approaching last, kept on

4/1

7

15th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 1

15:00 Ascot

Highstakesplayer

10st 8lb

J: David Bass

T: Tom Lacey

Record of 4-8 over fences; admittedly 0-3 this term and failed to show his form the last twice; good second over C&D on seasonal debut and has place possibilities on that effort.

10/1

9/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 551-31 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
It was more workmanlike than flashy when winning over this trip at Chepstow three weeks ago (good; following a wind operation) but he was 4lb out of the weights and had to overcome a bit of trouble in running; hasn't always followed one good run with another but couldn't put a line through him; 4lb higher this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

11

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 2

15:20 Haydock

Neon Moon

11st 1lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: David Pipe

He won a four-runner handicap at Ascot (2m5f, good) in November but has failed to kick on subsequently, proving no match for Genois and Outlaw Peter when fifth at Exeter (2m3f, good to soft) four weeks ago.

18/1

5th

4

6th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 48y

Class 3

15:40 Exeter

Neon Moon

11st 7lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Won an uncompetitive race by Ascot standards in November (2m5f) and then only fourth of six at Ludlow; fell mid-race back at Ascot last time; bit to prove on the balance of this form in the last 12 months.

15/2

Form: P9P26- CD

Last run: 209 days

W: 11st 13lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 151

Form & Verdict
Excellent record here and was twice runner-up at the track last season, in this race on his comeback and later on in a veterans' race (in this new headgear combination); for all that his course record catches the eye, he is stranded on a tough mark; has had wind operation.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

16th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 89y

Class 2

14:05 Market Rasen

Two For Gold

11st 11lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Teenager who ran well for a long way when very respectable sixth in valuable Ascot handicap (3m, good) on seasonal debut in November; pulled up in similar race back there just before Christmas but might be aided by the refitted tongue-tie here and has slipped to a tempting mark.

20/1

1

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:45 Ascot

Two For Gold

12st 0lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Second and fourth in the last two renewals of this and further enhanced his solid record here with another second over this trip in March; can see him running well again but it goes against the grain trends-wise to row in with a 12yo carrying 12st.

25/1

1

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:45 Ascot

Two For Gold

12st 0lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Second and fourth in the last two renewals of this and further enhanced his solid record here with another second over this trip in March; can see him running well again but it goes against the grain trends-wise to row in with a 12yo carrying 12st.

25/1

Form: 4-1411 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 10st 5lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Tackles his toughest test yet after career-best performances on favoured good ground at Perth (3m) and Market Rasen (2m5f), latterly repelling a rallying Mylesfromwicklow; just a question of whether he can cope with this rise in class and there are doubts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

23rd Nov 2024

Good

2m 5f 8y

Class 1

13:30 Ascot

Hidden Depths

11st 4lb

J: James Bowen

T: Neil Mulholland

in touch with leaders, ridden and went second just after last, kept on

50/1

2nd

5

23rd Nov 2024

Good

2m 5f 8y

Class 1

13:30 Ascot

Hidden Depths

11st 4lb

J: James Bowen

T: Neil Mulholland

in touch with leaders, ridden and went second just after last, kept on

50/1

5th

11

2nd Nov 2024

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 1

15:45 Ascot

Hidden Depths

10st 5lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Neil Mulholland

held up in rear, midfield 10th, outpaced from 2 out, stayed on run-in

12/1

Form: 51-232

Last run: 18 days

W: 10st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
At his best making all in smaller fields so that's a concern with likely competition up front, while stamina could also be an issue at nearly 3m; closely matched with Hidden Depths on their recent encounter but there are others to worry about.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

13th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 4f 10y

Class 3

16:12 Sandown

Mylesfromwicklow

11st 11lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Made mistakes when pulled up at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) in December last time and needs to bounce back; however, he's now 5lb lower than when second at Market Rasen (2m5f, good) in October and is not written off; also effective on soft ground.

5/1

3

18th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 3

15:00 Newbury

Mylesfromwicklow

11st 2lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Won twice in small fields over 2m4f/2m6f last term and second at Market Rasen in October; however, he needs a lot better than was forthcoming on last two outings, back down to 2m5f from 3m for latest.

11/2

3

18th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 3

15:00 Newbury

Mylesfromwicklow

11st 2lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

towards rear

11/2

Form: 55-290

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Often well found in the market and yet has gone 0-10 since a successful debut over fences; looks handicapped about right but could have a fitness edge on some of these for his bang-in-form Irish trainer and conditions will be more suitable than when it was soft in the Kerry National last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

37

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Amirite

10st 2lb

T: Henry De Bromhead

A fluent fourth in the 2m5f Topham over these fences was the first of three big runs in good handicaps last April-July; ran creditably in one (Sandown in April 2024) of his three attempts at 3m4f-3m5f and excuses might be made for his latest two outings (first cross-country, then the mud) but other candidates are more persuasive.

80/1

2

5th Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 6f 198y

16:05 Thurles

Amirite

11st 0lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Made all in Kilbeggan chase (3m1f, good) last July; fourth of 22 in Galway Plate later that month; tailed off in cross-country handicap chase at Cheltenham in December; should leave that run well behind down in trip back over hurdles.

5/2

Form: 42P-77 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 1lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Goes particularly well at Kempton; lost his way back in the spring and was 50-1 when never counting at Chepstow 21 days ago (2m3f, good); this trip is a better fit but still has a bit to prove now, especially with cheekpieces again absent.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

1st Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:55 Kempton

Flegmatik

11st 11lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Three-time course winner (2m4f-3m); not quite at best this season but handicapped according, and went down fighting when a clear second here (2m4f, good) last month; likely contender.

9/4

2nd

1

1st Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:55 Kempton

Flegmatik

11st 11lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Three-time course winner (2m4f-3m); not quite at best this season but handicapped according, and went down fighting when a clear second here (2m4f, good) last month; likely contender.

9/4

Form: 5759-6 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
On fire during the opening half of 2023 when bagging a hat-trick in high-profile staying chases; that came at a cost mark-wise and best run since was his fifth in last season's Grand National; ran very flat on his comeback at Chepstow only 21 days ago when tailed off behind Neon Moon.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

4th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 38y

Class 2

16:03 Fakenham

Kittys Light

10st 6lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Won three valuable marathons in a row in 2022-23 campaign and was honourable fifth in Grand National the following season; never really got going in 2025-25 but returns from 471-day absence on a tempting mark and will be suited by the forecast good ground; market helpful.

14/1

5th

2

18th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 3

13:05 Ascot

Kittys Light

11st 9lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Christian Williams

took keen hold, raced in last

12/1

5th

2

18th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 3

13:05 Ascot

Kittys Light

11st 9lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Christian Williams

took keen hold, raced in last, not fluent 4th, outpaced when mistake 14th, no impression

12/1

Form: P/226-

Last run: 224 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 147

Form & Verdict
Won left handed in France but all three British wins have come going right; has form figures of 222 at Ascot; hasn't quite hit the same heights since easily winning a 2m4f Grade 2 at Kempton in February 2023 that's worked out well but not had many chances in fairness and he's mustard when fresh (and gone well after previous wind operations); the nagging concerns are stamina for 3m and the handicapper's reluctance to give him much rope.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

22nd Feb 2025

Good

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

16:10 Kempton

Solo

11st 8lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

9yo who appears to have regressed but heavy ground may have been too much at Sandown three weeks ago and prior to that he was a fair fourth at Ascot (2m3f, good to soft); his two biggest wins have come at Kempton and he's one to consider now back here off a dangerous mark.

15/2

5th

3

1st Feb 2025

Soft

1m 7f 99y

Class 2

14:00 Sandown

Solo

11st 6lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Has gained both chase wins over 2m4f but ran creditably in the 2023 Haldon Gold Cup on last attempt at about 2m; faded into fourth over 2m3f on latest outing; possibilities off an attractive mark back down in trip.

6/1

5th

3

1st Feb 2025

Soft

1m 7f 99y

Class 2

14:00 Sandown

Solo

11st 6lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Has gained both chase wins over 2m4f but ran creditably in the 2023 Haldon Gold Cup on last attempt at about 2m; faded into fourth over 2m3f on latest outing; possibilities off an attractive mark back down in trip.

6/1

Non-runners

Our Power

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £14.50
Straight Forecast £15.18
Tricast £63.92
Trifecta £99.90

Selections

The Times:

Highstakesplayer

WEST COUNTRY:

Chianti Classico

SPOTLIGHT:

Our Power

POSTDATA:

Mylesfromwicklow

TOPSPEED:

Solo

The Star:

Hidden Depths

Telegraph:

Chianti Classico

The Guardian:

Chianti Classico

D Express:

Chianti Classico

Daily Mail:

Highstakesplayer

Daily Mirror:

Highstakesplayer

The Sun:

Highstakesplayer

Daily Record:

Highstakesplayer

RP RATINGS:

Our Power