The December Gold Cup runners ahead of this Saturday’s big Cheltenham race are taking shape – with a whole stack of familiar names that include last year’s winner Fugitif. There will be 11 runners heading to post.
December Gold Cup Runners 2024 Headed By Last Year’s Hero Fugitif
12 months ago, the Richard Hobson yard had one of their biggest days in the sun when Fugitif landed the 2023 December Gold Cup, in what was a thrilling finish (watch below).
He managed to get the better (just) of this season’s Paddy Power Gold Cup winner Il Ridoto by a shorthead and will meet his old rival again on Saturday – in what will be the sixth time they’ve faced off.
The current head-to-heads reads 3-2 in favour of Il Ridoto, but there are some key December Gold Cup trends he needs to overcome.
However, last year Fugitif had to give away 8lbs in weight to Il Ridoto, but due to the Paul Nicholls runner romping away with the Paddy Power Gold Cup last month last year’s winner only has to concede a pound this time.
Meaning he’s 7lbs better off for just a short-head based on last year’s running of this race. Plus, is 10lbs better off with Il Ridoto based on their last run against each other.
Fugitif will also be trying to become the first December Gold Cup back-to-back winner since Poquelin, who won the race in 2009 and 2010 for trainer Paul Nicholls.
While, having won the 2024 Paddy Power Gold Cup, Il Ridoto will be looking to become the first horse to follow-up in the December Gold Cup since the Jonjo O’Neill-trained Exotic Dancer in 2006.
Before that, older racing fans might remember Senor El Betrutti doing the double in 1997.
December Gold Cup 2024 will also be shown live at 1:50pm on ITV Racing this Saturday.
December Gold Cup Runners 2024
See below the latest December Gold Cup entries, with last year’s winner Fugitif heading the market with the best horse racing betting sites in the UK.
- Stage Star
- Ga Law
- Le Patron
- Fugitif
- Il Ridoto
- Sure Touch
- In Excelsis Deo
- Madara
- Gemirande
- Guard Your Dreams
- Grandeur D’Ame
SportsCasting’s Andy Newton thinks Madara is the call in the December Gold Cup – find out why here.
2024 December Gold Cup Race Details
📅Date: Saturday 14th December 2024
⌚Time: 1:50pm
🏇Racecourse: Cheltenham
🔄Trip: 2m 4 1/2f
💷Winning Purse: £71,188
📺 TV: ITV / Racing TV
You can also see the full Cheltenham December Meeting schedule, race times and which races are on ITV Racing.
Paddy Power Gold Cup Runner-up and Fourth Also Expected December Gold Cup Runners
We could also see more of the top five Paddy Power Gold Cup runners from last month’s race as the runner-up GA Law and fourth Madara are also intended runners for Saturday’s December Gold Cup.
GA Law did hold an entry in last Sunday’s Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon, but connections decided to miss that race in favour of this.
This Jamie Snowden runner was only 4 1/2 lengths behind Il Ridoto last time out and is 10lbs better off at the weights this time.
Madara was back in fourth in the Paddy Power Gold Cup – beaten 7 3/4 lengths but is now 9lbs better off with Il Ridoto.
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SportsCasting readers can also get daily horse racing tips and best bets from Andrew Mount.
