Paddy Power Gold Cup Tips: Ballynagour

It doesn’t look like a vintage renewal of the Paddy Power Gold Cup (2.30 Cheltenham) with plenty of the field either fully exposed or below Grade 3 class.

Nevertheless, it is a race the Pipe family usually target with one of their better horses and they have a live contender in Ballynagour.

On his UK debut he romped home by 19 lengths in a good quality handicap at Warwick. The Racing Post awarded him a rating of 155 for that performance, which suggests he is still well handicapped off 143.

After such a dominant victory he was made favourite for the Byrne Group Plate at the Cheltenham Festival but he disappointed, finishing eighth, beaten by 33 lengths.

The big question is which Ballynagour is going to turn up on Saturday?

Looking through his form I’m convinced we are going to see the Warwick version because throughout his career he’s run well fresh.

Ballynagour record after 100+ day break: F1211

Apart from his recourse debut when he fell, Ballynagour is hard to beat after a long break; his only other defeat was by by 0.75 lengths.

There is every chance Ballynagour repeats or even improves on his Warwick performance and that should be good enough to win.

At 7/1 (Paddy Power) he looks a solid each-way bet with Paddy Power paying 1/4 odds for at top-5 finish. 

Extra Place Race - Paddy Power
Paddy Power are paying out each-way bets to an extra place, with 1/4 odds for a top-5 finish.

*Best Odds Guaranteed – Paddy Power
Back Ballynagour with Paddy Power as they are best price and offer Best Odds Guaranteed. If the starting price (SP) is bigger than the current price, you get paid at the bigger SP.