PP Gold Cup: Timeform's runner-by-runner guide

Grads Crus is a warm order for the Paddy Power

Timeform provide a runner-by-runner guide to the Paddy Power Gold Cup, Saturday's feature race at Cheltenham due off at 14:35...

Poquelin boasts excellent record at this track (last 5 wins here) and made respectable return when fourth at Ascot (3m) earlier this month. Ought to be competitive off this mark.

Al Ferof won the 2011 Supreme Novices' and made good start over fences last term, winning twice and fine third in Ascot Grade 1. Below par at festival and Aintree after, but makes shortlist on 2012/13 return.

Calgary Bay enjoyed excellent start to 2012, winning over 21f here on New Year's Day before career-best success in Skybet Chase at Doncaster. Tailed off in Grand National, but since joined Mick Channon.

Hunt Ball had remarkable 2011/12, improving with each start and winning 7 of his 9 outings, including at festival over C&D. Better still when third in Betfair Bowl (25f) and further improvement possible.

Grands Crus a top-class hurdler who looked outstanding novice when slamming Silviniaco Conti and Bobs Worth in Feltham. Forgiven effort in RSA subsequently and holds strong claims off lenient-looking initial mark.

Quantitativeeasing compiled good record last term, second in this race 12 months ago before scoring at this venue in December. Bit disappointing subsequently, but not impossibly treated on 2012/13 return.

Aerial kicked off his campaign last season with fourth-placed effort in this and landed Grade 3 handicap at Newbury in March. Probably needs to find improvement to be winning off this mark, however.
 
Tanks For That has good record fresh, as evidenced with success on his seasonal debut over 2m at this meeting last year. Second in Grand Annual at Festival and probably better at that trip, so passed over.

Forpadydeplasterer winless since 2009 Arkle, though has finished in frame most starts since. Encouraging efforts in Gowran Grade 2 chase and on Flat recently and could go well at big price.

Nadiya de la Vega has gone well fresh in past and landed hotly-contested handicap after 10 months off over 2m here last month. Not always easiest to catch right, however, and 8 lb rise for that demands more now.

Michael Flips' best novice effort came when second in the Scilly Isles Chase in February. Possibly needed run after 8 months off at Ascot last time, arguably doing too much too soon and type to bounce back.

Walkon didn't really kick on after promising start over fences last year, though there's probably a bigger performance in him at some stage and he's gone well fresh in past, so can't be discounted.

The Disengager is a front runner who has made hay so far in 2012/13, winning 4 races from May onwards, including listed handicap at Market Rasen. New mark makes life tougher here, though.

Divers, a 2011 Festival winner and twice made frame here last season, third in this event and fourth in Byrne Group Plate. Seasonal return easy enough to excuse, though jumping remains point of concern.

Triolo d'Alene won twice over fences in France and made useful winning start for new yard in 19f Ascot handicap in January. Below par behind Hunt Ball at festival, but bounced back at Market Rasen in May.

Kingsmere is better over fences than hurdles, winning at Cartmel and Stratford in summer and set to go close before falling last time. This big-field scenario presents an entirely different challenge, however.

Casey Top a useful front-running chaser who won at Killarney in May. Further improvement when second in Galway Plate, but disappointed when unable to dominate in Kerry National last time. Others preferred.

Finger Onthe Pulse 2008 Festival winner who finished third behind Nadiya de La Vega in 2m handicap latest start (last outing for Tom Taaffe). Remains to be seen if he can back that up for new yard.

Questions Answered fairly useful hurdler/chaser at best, creditable efforts over 3m in the mud when placed in Kerry and Munster Nationals this term. Faces different conditions here, though, and 7 lb out of weights.

Gilbarry hinted at return to form before falling 4 out in handicap here in April. Typically not fluent when behind couple of these over 2m here last month and easy to dismiss from 10 lb wrong.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Grands Crus
2. Al Ferof
3. Forpadydeplasterer

Timeform Verdict: Although competitive, this handicap could boil down to a pair of second-season chasers, namely Grands Crus and Al Ferof. The suspicion is the former's current mark vastly underplays his true ability, so he's taken to triumph. Walkon is also respected, while Forpadydeplasterer appeals for each-way purposes.