The Aintree Grand National is undoubtedly the most famous meeting in the National Hunt calendar, but the annual renewal at Cheltenham is certainly considered the most prestigious of the year.
With a schedule packed full of top class races comprising large field of talented animals, picking a winner is extremely difficult, although the prices on offer tend to be significant and attract hordes of punters every year.
With the start of the Cheltenham Festival less than two weeks away and build up in full swing over on Cheltenham-Betting.co.uk, it is a good time to have a look at the big race of the meeting, the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
The race is held on the fourth and final day of the Festival and selecting a winner this year will be an especially difficult task. The race is set to be dominated by the three ‘elder statesmen’ of Imperial Commander, Denman and Kauto Star.
Imperial Commander, the ten-year-old trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies, is the reigning title holder and is currently the favourite to win the race in the ante post betting markets (4/1). The horse has won six of his ten visits to Cheltenham and is reported to be working very well at home.
Denman (13/2) and Kauto Star (7/1) are both trained by Paul Nicholls. Denman has recently had a minor breathing operation and whilst many will consider this a negative for his chances of lifting the Cup the smart money will consider this a positive given his slightly lackluster recent performances. The horse has a strong front running style and enjoys the difficult Cheltenham terrain.
Meanwhile, Kauto Star is dual Gold Cup winner and is expected to put in a big performance this year. Despite many believing that the horse is now past his best and with some concern over past jumping trouble, it would be foolhardy to dismiss his chances.
However, despite the presence of these three magnificent horses in the race, there seems to be a ground swell of opinion within racing circles about the chances of Long Run (6/1). Whilst some are suggesting that the race has come a year earlier for the Nicky Henderson-trained six-year-old, the bookmakers appear to disagree, with the horse currently second favourite in the market.
Some very strong performances at Cheltenham followed by a solid victory at Kempton in January have alerted many to the potential of the bay gelding. Certainly this is a step up in class for the animal but all reports are that he is performing very well on the gallops and a very big challenge is expected.
The others in the field will be targeting an each-way place. Of those most likely to break into the places the main chatter has been for Kempes (16/1) and Midnight Chase (20/1). Kempes hold entries for both the Gold Cup and the Ryanair but if he runs in the feature race then trainer Willie Mullins will be expecting a run for his money. Midnight Chase has won the last three times at Cheltenham and likes the track. He holds an entry for both the Gold Cup and the Grand National and will certainly be one to watch at a price if he runs at Cheltenham.
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