The Paddy Power Gold Cup 2022 is upcoming and it once again promises to be a hugely important race on the National Hunt calendar. We delve into what the race is all about and even offer some early ante-post tips. We also go through how to bet on the race and where to watch it, the most popular betting markets, how this race affects the Cheltenham Festival, and more.
The Paddy Power Gold Cup is an important Grade 3 handicap chase, staged on the Old Course at Cheltenham for those aged four and over. Run over a distance of 2 miles, 4½ furlongs, the race features 16 fences in total. The race is part of the popular November Meeting, sometimes known as the Open Meeting, at Cheltenham Racecourse. This meeting offers punters an early sighter at what may be to come at the Festival in March.
In 2022, the race takes place on Saturday, November 12th. It is set for a 2.20pm start and is worth a minimum of £160,000. This race has been known under a number of sponsor names, often confusing the more casual punter. It was established in 1960 and was known as the Mackeson Gold Cup. In 1995 Murphy’s took over and from 2000 onwards, the race was sponsored by Thomas Pink. Paddy Power backed the race from 2003 to 2015, while from 2016 onwards it was known as the BetVictor Gold Cup. As of 2020, it has returned to a previous title, the Paddy Power Gold Cup.
Paddy Power Gold Cup tips are hot property for sure. In terms of reading the Paddy Power Gold Cup ante-post betting, it is a bit of a minefield considering there are so many horses who could potentially run. It does take a certain type of horse to win this race however, and the two we like at this early stage are Torn and Frayed and Millers Bank.
Nigel Twiston-Davies is responsible for Torn and Frayed and he is certainly a trainer who knows how to win this race having done so four times since 1992. His eight-year-old gelding has some good racing experience, though has only had five starts over fences and so likely has plenty more improvement to come. He has already won at Cheltenham over this distance and at this level having taken a similar race on the New Course on Trials Day last season. That win was achieved on good ground, though he should be just as good if the rain arrives. He starts this season rated 139, only 6lbs higher than how he began last term and that isn’t the sort of mark that would put his connections off.
Millers Bank is the other with a big early shout, an eight-year-old gelding representing the yard of Alex Hales in Northamptonshire. Some shrewdies were in fact on this horse to win the Old Roan Chase at Aintree on his seasonal debut in October, however he unseated his rider at the first there. That may end up being a good thing in the context of this race. Had he won, he’d have been put up a number of pounds from his current mark of 153 which many people believe is a little lenient now that he is gaining experience over fences. He is a Grade 1 winner who is surely well handicapped of this sort of rating, making him a fair ante-post shout.
This race has implications for the rest of the season as we’ll find out later. In terms of how people view it on the day, it’s all about the betting market.
Paddy Power Gold Cup betting is vociferous. Before you get those bets on, keep this in mind:
Betting on this race is very easy online. Keep an eye out for promotions and offers and keep yourself informed of the best bet types to use on the race.
On each and every race, including the Paddy Power Gold Cup, you will have many bet types to choose from. The most popular markets available right now are:
There will be plenty of coverage of the Paddy Power Gold Cup. As one of the biggest betting races of the National Hunt season, the cameras are rolling at Cheltenham. Here’s where to watch:
ITV Racing
The main terrestrial TV coverage is provided by ITV. The race will either be on the main ITV channel, or on ITV4. The Saturday of the Open Meeting was also be preceded by the Opening Show, which will feature a preview of this race.
Racing TV
Away from the terrestrial coverage, the Paddy Power Gold Cup and the rest of the November Meeting will be shown live on Racing TV. A subscription channel, RTV will have interviews, previews and live coverage.
Live Streaming
Top bookmakers online usually offer live streaming of horse racing, usually available when betting on the race and/or having a funded account. Cheltenham live streaming starts a couple of minutes before the race and continues until the result is known. It also features full commentary.
Naturally, we hope to see an abundance of Paddy Power Gold Cup offers when the time comes. The most common promos offered by online bookmakers are:
Enhanced Odds
Enhanced odds, sometimes marketed as ‘bet boosts’ are now very common. Such deals simply offer you a bigger price for your horse than the one advertised in the normal betting market.
Extra Places
Extra places are often given out in major handicap races such as this one anyway. Even without that, many bookies offer you the choice of taking a smaller price about your horse, but increasing the number of each-way places.
Best Odds Guaranteed
The good old ‘best odds guaranteed’ or ‘BOG’ is a staple now for major firms. With this, you take the price when you back your horse. If it wins at shorter odds, you have your bigger price locked in. If however the SP is bigger, then you are paid out at that bigger price.
Money Back Deals
Many Cheltenham money-back deals come in the form of a free bet. Usually, they are offered when your horse finished second to a named runner, or falls during the race.
This is an important race in regards to the upcoming Cheltenham Festival. Those racing at the top end of the handicap in the Paddy Power Gold Cup may be considered for the Ryanair Chase or the Gold Cup, while others may go for one of the Festival handicaps. Whatever the case, Paddy Power Gold Cup winners are always shortlisted for the Cheltenham Festival. The last few years alone have proven to be very informative.
In 2018, a certain Frodon was second in this race. He went on to beat Aso under Bryony Frost in the Ryanair Chase no less, in one of the best finishes ever seen at the Cheltenham Festival. The 2019 winner Happy Diva unfortunately didn’t go on to win at the Festival however she was still a very good second in the Stable Plate. Sky Pirate was fifth in this race in 2019 in what was a strong renewal. He went on to win the Grand Annual at the Cheltenham Festival while last year’s runner-up Protektorat was subsequently third in the Gold Cup itself.
Your top questions about the Paddy Power Gold Cup answered.
This year’s race takes place on Saturday, November 12th. This is the feature race of the day and is due off at 2.10pm.
Cheltenham Racecourse. The Paddy Power Gold Cup is the highlight on day two of the November Meeting at Cheltenham.
Some firms do offer very early ante-post betting, including the sponsors Paddy Power and Betfair who are part of the same bookmaking entity.
Yes. Full coverage of the race is offered by ITV Racing, subscription channel Racing TV and by some bookmakers online via live streaming.
For the past 20 years Gary has been immersed in the world of sports writing and betting. His experience, particularly within horse racing, has led to him enjoying a successful career as a punter but also as an SEO specialist. Gary contributes written content for TVG (America’s largest wagering website and horse racing TV network), Mr Green Casino, CasinoEuro and many others. Having written for horse racing magazines, newspapers, and websites as well as having published one book on football betting, Gary has used his knowledge of sports to provide valuable betting tips to punters via apps, telephone and the web.