GW might be that horse for Willie and being 8 (a year younger than FTF) that age is the sweet spot for Gold Cup winners as since 2000 the ages of 7 to 9 have won all bar one renewal (Long Run won in 2011 as a 6yr old). The record for each age is as follows:-
8 yr olds have won 11 times
7 yr olds have won 8 times
9 yr olds have won 5 times
Three 8yr olds (GW, The Jukebox Man and Inothewayurthinkin) hold three of the top four position in the betting with the 7yr old Jango Baie being the odd one out. So even as a 9yr old this year, FTF’s statistical chances of winning (based on age) were not as strong as GW and the fact that they are swerving the race (in a relatively open/winnable year) would indicate that he is highly unlikely to ever run in the Gold Cup. That would ring even more true if he were to win a 2nd Ryanair Chase next week as then you would imagine JP would want him to try and become the first ever three time winner of the race next season.
Its a real shame he is not running but that is where we are now mainly due to having a 4 day festival.