Cup battle can go to Starchitect

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THE Caspian Caviar Gold Cup is the third in a sequence of two-and-a-half mile handicap chases at Cheltenham.

The one last month – the BetVictor Gold Cup – was won by Splash Of Ginge. He had a neck to spare over Starchitect with two-and-a-half lengths back to Le Prezien in third.

Ballyalton was fourth, Romain De Senam fifth, Foxtail Hill eighth and Guitar Pete, ninth.

STARCHITECT (1.55) would have won had he not made mistakes at the last two fences. He was closing on Splash Of Ginge at the finish, which is why he is 6-1 and the winner is 8-1. Both have each-way appeal despite being raised in the weights by the handicapper.

Tempted

Paul Nicholls has won four of the last nine runnings, which explains why Clan Des Obeaux and Le Prezien are at the head of the betting.

The former has been well backed in the last 72 hours and Manchester United fans may be tempted to follow the money as the five-year-old is owned by Sir Alex Ferguson and some of his mates.

Former Cheltenham Festival winner Ballyalton ran really well last time. However, connections of Guitar Pete will be hoping for better luck than he had in the BetVictor Gold Cup. On that occasion the seven-year-old almost ended up on the floor at the first fence after he was badly hampered. He did well to finish as close as he did.