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BetVictor Gold Cup Preview: Paul Nicholls Lines Up Dozens of Contenders for Prestbury Park Extravaganza
BetVictor Gold Cup: All you need to know about the Prestbury Park contest
The BetVictor Gold Cup is one of the highlights of the Cheltenham Festival, and this year's renewal looks set to be a cracker. Paul Nicholls has entered a dozen horses for the race, including last year's winner Frodon, and he will be hoping to add to his record-breaking tally of seven victories in the race.
The BetVictor Gold Cup is a Grade 3 steeplechase run over a distance of about three miles and two furlongs. It is open to horses aged five years and upwards, and the race is worth £250,000 in prize money.
The race was first run in 1960, and it was originally known as the Schweppes Gold Trophy. It was renamed the BetVictor Gold Cup in 2017.
History of the BetVictor Gold Cup
The BetVictor Gold Cup was the brainchild of Major Peter Cazalet, who was the chairman of Cheltenham Racecourse at the time. He wanted to create a new race that would be a major challenge for the best steeplechasers in training.
The inaugural BetVictor Gold Cup was won by a horse called Mandarin, who was ridden by Pat Taaffe. The race was quickly established as one of the most prestigious events in the National Hunt calendar, and it has been won by some of the greatest horses in history, including Arkle, Mill House, Desert Orchid, and Kauto Star.
The BetVictor Gold Cup is one of the most competitive races in the National Hunt calendar, and it is always a thrilling spectacle. The race is run on the Old Course at Cheltenham, which is one of the most challenging tracks in the world.
The BetVictor Gold Cup is a handicap race, which means that the horses are assigned weights according to their ability. This makes the race even more competitive, as it gives every horse a chance of winning.
The BetVictor Gold Cup is a truly international race, with horses from all over the world competing. The race is a major target for trainers and owners, and it is one of the most prestigious races in the National Hunt calendar.
Top contenders for the 2023 BetVictor Gold Cup
The 2023 BetVictor Gold Cup is shaping up to be a fascinating race, with several horses in with a chance of winning. Here are some of the top contenders:
Frodon: The defending champion, Frodon is a tough and experienced horse who loves the Cheltenham Festival. He is trained by Paul Nicholls and will be ridden by Bryony Frost.
Protektorat: A talented horse who has been placed in some of the biggest races in the National Hunt calendar. He is trained by Dan Skelton and will be ridden by Harry Skelton.
A Plus Tard: A high-class horse who has won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in the past. He is trained by Henry de Bromhead and will be ridden by Rachael Blackmore.
Galopin Des Champs: A rising star who has won his last four races. He is trained by Willie Mullins and will be ridden by Paul Townend.
Conflated: A consistent horse who has won some of the biggest races in Ireland. He is trained by Gordon Elliott and will be ridden by Jack Kennedy.
The BetVictor Gold Cup Preview
The BetVictor Gold Cup is one of the most competitive races in the National Hunt calendar, and this year's renewal looks set to be no different. There are several horses in with a chance of winning, and it is sure to be a thrilling spectacle.
Paul Nicholls has entered a dozen horses for the race, including last year's winner Frodon. He will be hoping to add to his record-breaking tally of seven victories in the race.
The BetVictor Gold Cup is a handicap race, which means that the horses are assigned weights according to their ability. This makes the race even more competitive, as it gives every horse a chance of winning.
The BetVictor Gold Cup is a truly international race, with horses from all over the world competing. The race is a major target for trainers and owners, and it is one of the most prestigious races in the National Hunt calendar.