Cheltenham Gold Cup Betting 2010
Anticipation ahead of the 2010 Cheltenham Gold Cup is rising and is threatening to come to the boil just nicely ahead of the most coveted race in the National Hunt season. The respective preparations of the two horses leading the betting – Kauto Star and Denman – have gone tit for tat over the past few months as just when one horse has looked to steal a march the other has returned with a striking blow of their own.
No Blinking Chance
22/02/2010
Denman’s trainer Paul Nicholls has ruled out the possibility of the horse wearing blinkers in the Cheltenham Gold Cup for what would be the first time in his career. Owner Harry Findlay had hinted at the possibility of the horse being fitted with head gear after his Newbury disappointment, but the only addition which is even being considered is a sheepskin noseband. Nicholls stated that the defeat was down to a mistake rather than him being a bad jumper and that it is unlikely blinkers would benefit him in the same way that they do other horses.
Denman remains at 7/2 in the Cheltenham Gold Cup Betting 2010 and hasn’t either lengthened or shortened now that the dust has settled on that Newbury outing.
Advantage Kauto
15/02/2010
After what was supposed to be a routine win in the Aon Chase at Newbury for Denman, the advantage in the Cheltenham Gold Cup Betting 2010 has been handed to Kauto Star. The Paul Nicholls horse seemed to be cruising as he and jockey Tony McCoy approached the fourth last fence but he put in a wrong foot, ploughed through the fence then did the same again at the next and McCoy was unseated. The bookmakers reacted to punter demand by shortening Kauto Star into a best priced 4/5 with Denman available to back at 7/2. Those forgiving types will surely see this is a great opportunity to back the second favourite who hasn’t become a bad horse overnight.
McCoy to ride Denman
06/02/2010
It has been confirmed that 14-times champion jockey Tony McCoy will ride Denman at this year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup. McCoy has yet to ride the Gold Cup second favourite but will take the saddle for the first time in the Aon Chase at Newbury on February 13. It adds an extra spice and rivalry to the race as two of the greatest jockeys of all time go head to head on two of the greatest horses of all time.
“I can’t wait to take on Ruby on Kauto Star” said McCoy.
Denman owners Paul Barber and Harry Findlay had been holding out in hope of booking Walsh as their jockey, but he has remained loyal to Kauto Star throughout his career and showed no signs of that changing. Now McCoy takes the ride and goes in search of just his second Gold Cup victory – his only win was in 1997 aboard Mr Mulligan.
Madison’s had his fun
02/02/2010
Many of the big hitters dodged the opportunity to run at Cheltenham this weekend. Denman, Big Bucks and Karabak all opted to wait for other opportunities to continue their preparations but there were still a couple of big movers in the Cheltenham Gold Cup Betting 2010 market.
Madison du Berlais looks to be out of the running and is now available to back at 66/1 for the showpiece race in March after a poor run on Cheltenham trials day. The David Pipe trained horse finished fourth of seven in Saturday’s (January 30th) Argento Chase some 20 lengths behind winner Taranis who has now shortened in to 20/1 for the Gold Cup and adds another bow of credence (if any was needed) to Paul Nicholls’s bid. Fancy a Nicholls one-two? So do the bookies, it’s as short as 4/6 with 88sport.com.
Kauto v Denman Gold Cup Betting
We’ve had alternate favourites in the Cheltenham Gold Cup Betting 2010 throughout the season but as it stands in the middle of January, it is the champion Kauto Star who leads the way at around the 11/8 mark. His great rival and stable mate Denman had briefly taken joint-favouritism after he romped to victory off of top weight in the Hennessy Gold Cup and became the first horse since the great Arkle to win the race twice. However, Kauto came back with a counter punch of his own by taking an equally impressive victory in the King Gorge VI Chase on Boxing Day and reclaimed outright favouritism.
Best of the rest betting
To right this off as a two horse race may seem disrespectful to the rest of the field but it would take something really out of character for anything else to triumph over two of the all time greats. However, that does not mean there are not betting opportunities to be had elsewhere. Many online sportsbooks are offering Cheltenham Gold Cup Betting 2010 without the ‘big two’ and Imperial Commander leads the way in that market. Last year’s Ryan Air chase winner was involved in a photo finish with Kauto Star at Haydock back in November but didn’t jump well and finished a distant fifth when rivalries were reignited in the aforementioned King George VI Chase. He will have his each-way backers at the Cheltenham Festival as will Madison du Berlais who finished second in that Boxing Day race and put Denman to the sword on his reappearance back in February 2009 after treatment for an irregular heartbeat.
Specials Betting
If you’re looking for a bet on the Gold Cup but can’t (or don’t want to) decide between the two Paul Nicholls trained horses then there is a variety of other markets out there for your delectation. You can back Nicholls trained horses (i.e. Denman and Kauto Star) to finish first and second at around the 4/6 mark, you can bet on the winning margin and have your say on whether you think it will be a closely fought race or you can even bet on who will start the race as favourite.