Donn McClean makes a strong case for his Cheltenham Gold Cup tip

Broadcaster and journalist, Donn McClean, looks ahead to the feature race of the whole week at the Cheltenham Festival, the Cheltenham Gold Cup and gives his thought on why Nicky Henderson's improver can land the big prize.

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Inothewayurthinkin has had a mediocre season, to put it mildly. Just hasn't been able to show what he showed last year.

That said, the vibes from Gavin Cromwell's yard just seem to be a little more positive now than they were.

And that's good to have the reigning champ come back and put his reputation or his title on the line. It's great that he's going to be here to defend his title.

Progressive type can take Gold

I like Jango Baie, Nicky Henderson's horse. I think he's an improving horse. He's only a seven year old.

He won the Arkle last year over a trip that's way short of his best. He wouldn't have been running in the race if Sir Gino had been in it and even this time last year, he was seen as more of a two-and-a-half miler.

He was really good at Ascot on his debut this season. Then he went to the King George and he finished 4th, but it was staying on 4th.

He didn't really have a great run through the race and he did well to stay on as well as he did.

The first four finished well clear. I think he was only beaten a half a length or two parts of a length by the winner in the end.

Improvement still to come

I think he can come forward again. He's a Cheltenham horse. He's run here twice. He's won twice, and the Arkle can be a good pointer to the Gold Cup.

Kicking King ran in the Arkle, War of Attrition ran in the Arkle, Sizing John ran in the Arkle even after he retired.

He was a tqo miler or maybe a two-and-a-half miler before he went and won the Savills Chase and then went on to the Gold Cup.

Best Mate won the Tingle Creek three and a half months before he won his first Gold Cup. So the Gold Cup, of course it's a test of stamina, but it's also a test of pace and class, and I think Jango Baie has that.

And these seven year olds, when they start to improve, you just don't know where the limit of their improvement is going to be. And yeah, I think there's every chance he'll improve again. I think he's a big player in the race.