Meetmebythesea wins Paddy Power Gold Cup for Pauling and McManus

It was also a notable first for McManus, whose horses have won many of jump racing's most prestigious contests but had not previously captured the Paddy Power Gold Cup. Cobden, meanwhile, followed his winning ride on Jonbon in Friday's Shloer Chase with another high-profile success at the November meeting.

The race unfolded against the backdrop of unusually quick ground that has dominated discussion throughout the meeting. Fifteen horses were originally declared, but a series of withdrawals reduced the field to ten. Madara was among those taken out, while July Flower was another absentee on Saturday. The going had prompted trainers to reconsider several important engagements, with more than two dozen non-runners across the card.

Those withdrawals materially altered the shape of the race, although they do not diminish the quality of Meetmebythesea's finishing effort against the opposition that did take part. Blueking D'Oroux, making his first start for Dan Skelton, offered a determined challenge and looked a serious threat late on before the winner's superior jump at the final obstacle settled the issue.

Meetmebythesea's profile is particularly interesting because he has now won two valuable Cheltenham handicaps within the same calendar year, including one on his seasonal return. His connections will have stronger graded-race ambitions to consider as the winter progresses, although no subsequent target needs to be assumed on the strength of this result alone.

The November meeting has been shaped as much by the difficult conditions as by its winners. For Pauling, Cobden and McManus, however, Saturday's feature provided a clear sporting highlight and an important early marker for one of the season's progressive chasers.