Matt Chapman tips: My explosive 9-2 Paddy Power Gold Cup pick can land a touch for feared Irish trainer

NOTHING would give me more pleasure than to pull Paddy’s pants down by finding you the winner of today’s Paddy Power Gold Cup Handicap Chase.

Cheltenham’s feature race, live on ITV, is the first really big clash of the new jumps season.

Our man Chappers has a strong fancy in the Paddy Power Gold CupNews Group Newspapers Ltd.

The two-and-a-half-mile thriller encourages a mix of speed-jumping and stamina, which is why the event has featured Champion Chase as well as Gold Cup types.

There are some top-class chasers among its roll of honour.

They include Half Free, Very Promising, Beau Ranger, Bradbury Star, Challenger du Luc, Cyfor Malta, Lady Cricket, Imperial Commander and Al Ferof.

This column is still celebrating Gold Trip’s magnificent Melbourne Cup win. But there’s an old saying in racing — you’re only as good as your last big winner.

While Gold Trip was a 20-1 scorcher, I reckon we are going to have an explosive Paddy Power hero in the shape of much fancied Irish raider French Dynamite.

There was a time when French Dynamite’s trainer Mouse Morris was feared by every bookie in the land, but it’s not quite like that any more. That said, we all know Morris can land a touch. And French Dynamite looks just that.

Let’s get to the positives. The seven-year-old is lightly raced with a record of six wins from 15 starts.

He has tackled Grade 1 company, with a fine fourth behind Klassical Dream in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Punchestown in 2021. Yet he also had the pace to win over two and a quarter miles in March.

But most importantly, despite often being a front-runner French Dynamite has form figures of 11413 when facing pace pressure and tackling fields of more than ten runners.

That suggests he will be very well suited to the competitive nature of a Paddy Power Gold Cup.

His running style will hopefully allow him to keep out of trouble up front and, while he’s not massively experienced over fences, a third at Punchestown behind El Barra inspires confidence.

A mark of 148 seems workable, as he was rated 150 over hurdles.

With luck in running, French Dynamite must have every chance, although dangers abound, and include Ga Law from the Jamie Snowden yard.

He was a promising third after a lay-off to Riders Onthe Storm at Aintree but this is much more competitive.

Il Ridoto will be fancied for the champion Paul Nicholls, who has been in belting form, and expect improvement from the youngster who has had a wind operation.

Sam Thomas has really begun to make a name for himself as a trainer and Stolen Silver knows how to win at Cheltenham. That said, a mark of 150 is tough.

I must also give a mention to previous winner Coole Cody, who is a tough little legend of a horse.

I’m hoping here, though, he’s the one French Dynamite will track and use as a hare to chase.

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On a cracking card, I’m also excited by the Arkle Trial, which marks the chasing debut of the Nicholls-trained Monmiral, last seen chasing home Epatante in the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle and also the winner of the Anniversary Juvenile Hurdle at the same track.

This is Monmiral’s first trip to Cheltenham, but if he can jump he will be very hard to beat.

Opposition is strong with the classy Tommy’s Oscar — behind Honeysuckle in the Champion Hurdle — also in the line-up.

Throw in Banbridge and former Triumph Hurdle victor Pentland Hills, plus the 143-rated Glory And Fortune and you have a corker.

On the Flat, this week marked the retirement of two fabulous horses, Flightline and Alpinista.

The former secured his place as one of the sport’s best in the Breeders’ Cup Classic last weekend, while Arc hero Alpinista was brilliantly handled and ridden by Sir Mark Prescott and Luke Morris.

It’s sad to see them go. They were dynamite, which is exactly what I’m hoping to see more of at Cheltenham this afternoon.

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