King George hero has strong claims

In the last 21 runnings, 20 winners had previously won a Grade 1

Form is not everything in this event, but class is permanent and this statistic shows it’s vital your selection has proven ability in the highest grade.

In the last ten years, the winner’s peak Racing Post Rating had improved at a 5lb median from the previous season, hence we should be looking towards those whose form is on the rise.

The Irish have won five of the last seven runnings, although most recent winners were bred elsewhere with Native River the only successful Irish-bred since 2015.

Also rule out those who ran on heavy ground last time. Recent winners have been fresh and stayed clear of slogs in the mud. Indeed, the last three runnings went to horses with just the one run under their belt that term.

Verdict

Dual winner Al Boum Photo is solid once again, but the contender who fits the trends best is actually Frodon. King George winners have a fine record in the Gold Cup, so too front-runners, and of course Frodon’s trainer Paul Nicholls has won this four times before.