All eyes look to Festival as Christmas signals Cheltenham fever

The Cheltenham Festival is without doubt the most exciting four days in the racing calendar. There is a variety of entertainment and for racing punters it is without doubt the highlight of the year.

The 2012 Cheltenham Festival may well be a few months away – it is set to take place from the 13th to the 16th March 2012 – but excitement is already building and betting experts are already making their tips for success.

Every single day of the Cheltenham Festival is significant of course. Champion Day, Ladies Day and St Patrick’s Thursday all have their exciting races and moments to look forward to.

However, the event everyone talks about more than any other forms the central part of Cheltenham Gold Cup day.

The Cheltenham Gold Cup takes place on Friday 16th March 2012 and acts as the climax to the entire Jump racing season. Every event, every discussion, every training session and every team meeting for Jump jockeys is with this race in mind.

The Grade 1 event was won by Nicky Henderson trained Long Run in 2011, beating off competition from the Gold Cup’s most successful duo Denman and Kauto Star. It was an epic race and one which many hope will be repeated in 2012.

Looking at the favourites for the 2012 Cheltenham Gold Cup, Long Run is once again expected to lead the way at odds of 5/2. Kauto Star is then set to be a familiar rival to the reigning Champion at 10/1.

Other contenders include Captain Chris, Quito De La Roque and Grand Crus, all of whom are available at around 14/1. 2008 winner Denman – who is set to be backed by many punters – is then available at a slightly more distant 20/1.

Sandwiched between six other excellent races on the final day of the Cheltenham Festival, the Cheltenham Gold Cup is set to get underway at 3.20pm on Friday 16th March 2012.