‘It’s been his target all season and he’s overpriced’ – Daryl Jacob fancies an upset in the Gold Cup
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Cheltenham Festival-winning rider Daryl Jacob has named a big-priced outsider as his selection for this afternoon’s red-hot Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup, the feature race on the final day of the festival.
Jacob, who rode three winners at the meeting during his career as a jockey, believes 16-1 chance Grey Dawning can shock the field and all but seal a maiden trainers’ championship for Dan Skelton.
The nine-year-old began his season with Grade 1 success in the Betfair Chase at Haydock, but suffered a surprise defeat to Spillane’s Tower in the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham on Trials day. However, that has not put off Jacob from tipping him as his big-race winner.
Grey Dawning cruises across the line after winning the Betfair ChaseCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)
Speaking on the Racing Post’s Good Morning Cheltenham show, he said: “It’s been Grey Dawning’s one target all year, and on official ratings, he’s not that far behind the rest of them. He’s fresh and well.
“Forget his last run against Spillane’s Tower because they didn’t want to run him that day, and this has been the plan. I expect him to be fully tuned up, and Harry [Skelton] will ride for a place and then try to pick up the pieces. He’s overpriced.”
Jacob added: “I’m not convinced on form alone how strong the King George is at the moment. At those prices, I am taking them on. They’re going to go hard, and I think we’ll have a bit of pace in this race. Harry is riding so well, and there won’t be any pressure on him with Grey Dawning, while Inothewayurthinkin will be dropped in off a fast pace.”
Betting editor Keith Melrose is also expecting a big performance from Grey Dawning, but he is siding with Rebecca Curtis and Haiti Couleurs for the main event.
He said: “I backed Haiti Couleurs earlier in the year, and I’m hoping he wins. Sean Bowen had to go a right gallop in the Welsh National, and this horse has a lot of class – probably more than you think.”
Gaelic Warrior is the 5-2 favourite, but Melrose and Charlie Poste, who also joined the morning show, were keen to take on the Willie Mullins-trained eight-year-old.
Melrose said: “I think he should be the favourite. He’s been consistent, and he’s proved he stays just as much as you can without actually staying in a Gold Cup, but I won’t be backing him at 5-2. We’ve seen his ceiling a bit, which makes me not get involved at that price.”
Poste added: “I personally can’t really see him winning the Gold Cup. I just wonder when push comes to shove at the end of this extended three and a quarter miles, whether that’ll be what he truly wants. I don’t think he’s good enough in this setup. I can see him travelling through the race, but I wonder if there will be horses more resolute at the end of this.”
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