Course specialist Il Ridoto improved his excellent record at Cheltenham with a decisive victory in the valuable Paddy Power Gold Cup on Saturday.

The horse deserved to win a big handicap and was given a great ride by Freddie Gingell who always had him handy, seized the initiative at the second last fence and drove him clear for a brilliant triumph. Il Ridoto had a lovely light racing weight and showed the benefit of a run at Chepstow last month. He loves it round Cheltenham, the ground was ideal for him and he will be back again in a month’s time for the December Gold Cup in which he was beaten a short head in 2023. I am not sure he deserved to go up 11lbs for winning by 4 1/2 lengths, albeit idling in front, surely 6/7 would have been more appropriate.
I’m delighted for Freddie who is only 18, is coming on nicely, and is going to ride a lot of ours as well as plenty for his uncle Joe Tizzard and rode his first treble on Monday at Exeter. He is very much like Harry Cobden at the same stage, keen, hungry and works hard. He still claims 3lbs and is taking his chances with both hands.
The triumph of Il Ridoto completed a stunning 24 hours for his owners including Sir Alex Ferguson and Ged Mason who landed a huge pot in Bahrain the previous evening with Spirit Dancer for the second year running and enjoyed further success with L’eau du Sud and Potters Charm at Cheltenham.
While I was also hopeful of a decent show from Ginny’s Destiny in the Paddy Power and had done as much as I could with him at home as well as giving him an away day, I was conscious that he needed his first run last season and it was the same again on Saturday.
All is not lost with Ginny’s Destiny who is a big, gross horse, travelled very well until four out and will come on plenty for the outing. He would also prefer easier conditions underfoot and may appreciate a step up to three miles at some point.
The week had begun with Kalif du Berlais and Harry Cobden taking a heavy fall four out at Carlisle just as they looked poised to take the lead in a Graduation Chase. Kalif had been foot perfect up to that point, jumping like a natural before taking off too far from the fence and paying the penalty. Thankfully both Kalif du Berlais and Harry were ok afterwards though I’ve yet to decide where the horse goes next, possibly Newbury next Friday.
Quick ground restricted our opportunities last week when Fasol was a little disappointing in finishing only fourth in a novice handicap hurdle off a mark of 108 at Cheltenham on Friday. He shapes as if he needs stepping up to two and a half miles.
With some rain in the forecast at last we will have runners most days this week building up to Ascot and Chepstow on Friday and then Haydock and Ascot on Saturday.
I will be confirming Bravemansgame for the Betfair Chase and Monmiral for the £100,000 Handicap Hurdle at Haydock while Pic D’Orhy and Blueking d’Oroux will bid to win Grade 2 races at Ascot for the second year running.
For all the latest news on my Saturday runners please be sure to check out my Betfair column which goes live early on Friday.