The Paddy Power Gold Cup 2025 headlines Saturday’s action at Cheltenham, bringing together some of the best two-and-a-half mile chasers in Britain and Ireland for one of the most prized handicaps of the jumps season.
Set for 2:20pm on November 15th, this Premier Handicap always delivers drama, form angles, and valuable festival clues for the spring.
Race Overview
The Paddy Power Gold Cup is run over 2m4f44y at Cheltenham’s Old Course and open to horses aged four and up.
Not only is the competitive field a highlight for punters, but the race’s roll of honour includes historic names—previous winners in recent years include Il Ridoto (2024), Stage Star (2023), and Ga Law (2022).
Trainers like Paul Nicholls, Jamie Snowden, and Nicky Henderson have consistently targeted this race with their most promising runners, and this year is no exception.
Prize money for the 2025 renewal is substantial, with £160,000 up for grabs and the winner likely to emerge as a contender for Grade 1 spring assignments.
Key Runners and Betting Odds
A strong field of 15 had been declared however, race favourite, Jagwar was the wothdrawn, leaving just 14 to contest the biggest race of the day.
Here are some of the leading contenders and market movers:
Vincenzo (Trainer: Sam Thomas, Jockey: Dylan Johnston)
With Jagwar no longer running, that leaves Vincenzo as the favourite. Well-supported in the betting market, he was targeted specifically for this race, boasting solid runs and a progressive profile.
Off a mark of 137, he is lightly chased compared to some of his rivals and from four chase starts has claimed two wins and two second places so has every chance of causing an upset in this race.
Il Ridoto (Trainer: Paul Nicholls, Jockey: Harry Cobden)
Last year’s winner, Il Ridoto, is back (approx 6/1), looking to become the first horse since Bradbury Star and Half Free to win back-to-back Gold Cups.
His strong record around this course (he has run at Cheltenham 15 times) and distance is a major positive, and Paul Nicholls boasts four wins in the race since 2012, including the last two years.
Thecompanysergeant (Trainer: Gavin Cromwell, Jockey: Keith Donoghue)
Solid each-way contender with useful handicap form and strong Irish credentials, and one whose odds have shortened over the last couple of days.
Cromwell’s team is in great form, and Thecompanysergeant has previous Cheltenham experience, finishing second to Jagwar at the Festival in March earlier this year.
Panic Attack (Trainer: Dan Skelton, Jockey: Harry Skelton)
Another potential market mover (approx 11/2 from 8/1), Panic Attack is noted for improving form, and the Skelton team’s record in big Cheltenham handicaps is always worth respect.
Other runners at double-figure odds include Coming Up Easy (Henry De Bromhead, Bad (Ben Pauling), and Es Perfecto (Alan King).
Watch for bookmakers updating the market in the final hours with extra places being paid on each-way bets.
Form and Trends
Official ratings for recent winners range from 134 (Il Ridoto, 2024) to 148 (Jagwar, 2025), suggesting horses on upward curves or those with proven Grade 1/2 form have a strong chance.
Trends favour runners aged 6-8, and handy weights and course experience are significant positive factors.
Paul Nicholls is the dominant trainer with four wins since 2012, including in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Season form is vital; horses placed in their last runs and with prior Cheltenham success statistically fare best.
Predictions
Win Bet: Vincenzo, he ticks plenty of trends, boasts progressive form, and looks well handicapped for a trainer in good recent touch.
Il Ridoto is a strong threat, being last year’s winner and a proven performer at Cheltenham, but may find Vincenzo’s improvement tough to match.
Each-Way Bets: Coming Up Easy, trained by Henry De Bromhead, makes a solid each-way bet for the Paddy Power Gold Cup 2025 due to several key factors.
The seven-year-old arrives in top form after notching three wins from his last three starts, signalling steady improvement and readiness for this big Cheltenham handicap.
His current handicap mark is fair, and he has shown he can handle competitive fields, which is essential for a race of this caliber.
The final verdict: Vincenzo to win, with Il Ridoto and Coming Up Easy as main dangers..
Previous Winners
| Year | Winner | Age | Weight | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Il Ridoto | 7 | 9-13 | Freddie Gingell | P. Nicholls |
| 2023 | Stage Star | 7 | 11-07 | Harry Cobden | P. Nicholls |
| 2022 | Ga Law | 6 | 11-00 | Jonathan Burke | Jamie Snowden |
| 2021 | Midnight Shadow | 8 | 11-05 | Ryan Mania | Sue Smith |
| 2020 | Coole Cody | 9 | 10-05 | Tom O’Brien | Evan Williams |
| 2019 | Happy Diva | 8 | 11-00 | Richard Patrick | Kerry Lee |
Gold Cup
With the likes of Il Ridoto, Vincenzo, and Thecompanysergeant in the line-up, the 2025 Paddy Power Gold Cup promises another fiercely contested renewal.
Trends suggest following horses with Festival form, proven stamina, and strong yard support.
Bettors should favour firms paying extra places for attractive each-way terms, and keep an eye out for late market shifts in odds.
Saturday’s feature race looks certain to provide both betting opportunities and clues for Cheltenham’s spring showpieces.
BETFRED
