Cheltenham Gold Cup Free Bets

Cheltenham Gold Cup, Day Four | Paul Berry | February 25, 2010 at 10:25 am

The most prestigious race on the national hunt calendar is the Cheltenham Gold Cup, often referred to as the Blue Riband of jumping.

Run on the new course at Cheltenham, it’s a great test for any staying chaser, second to the Grand National of course.

The best of the best have won the Gold Cup, the list is endless. It includes the likes of Arkle, Dawn Run and Best Mate, to name but a few. This year’s festival highlight is ‘different’ to a certain degree. In the line up are two already crowned champions. Ok, previous Gold Cups have been contested by past winners, but this year’s race is a battle of “the best staying chaser of their respective era”, Denman vs Kauto Star.

Gold Cup Free Bets

Kauto Star won his first Gold Cup in 2007, beating the ill fated Exotic Dancer by two and a half lengths. The following year, he surrendered his crown to his stable mate, eventually going down by seven lengths to a breath taking display by Denman.

Kauto Star was crowned king again in 2009, getting pay back on Denman and dishing out a 13 length beat down. It was a great display by Kauto Star but the racing world knew Denman wasn’t at his best, running a brave race to finish second. In 2010 they finally get to settle the score, as both have had no interruptions in training.Of the others it’s very hard to see any of them turning over one, never mind two of the Paul Nicholls’ pair.

At the top of the pile, bidding to beat the Nicholls pair is Cooldine. Last years impressive RSA winner has been blighted by injury and sickness this year. Willie Mullins has really had to nurse him back to the racecourse.

Making his first start in the Lexus Chase, he ran a shocker after being backed to win the race, eventually pulling up. His second run came two weeks ago in the Irish Hennessy. Again he was backed but this time he ran very well, finishing a head second to the much improved Joncol. Given the terrible start to the season, his second in the Hennessy showed there is light at the end of the tunnel. He clearly loves Cheltenham too, running very well on both occasions he visited.

He’s bound to come on again for the run. He’ll have to though, to get competitive, but is a live each-way contender.

Next in line is Imperial Commander. Trained by Nigel Twiston Davies, and to be ridden by Paddy Brennan, he, like Cooldine, also won at the festival last year. He turned over the odds on Voy Por Ustedes in last years Ryanair Chase, also finishing ahead of this years World Hurdle contender, Tidal Bay. He is now being upped in trip to three miles two and a half furlongs, a trip he has never run over before.

Some doubt he’ll stay but I think he’ll have no problem in the stamina department. His season pipe opener came at Haydock in the Betfair Chase. He ran an absolute blinder, going down by a head to Kauto Star. Truth be told, he was very unlucky not to win. His second run came in the King George but backers knew their fate as soon as he blundered his way over the second.

It was a miracle he managed to finish the race, showing huge bravery to do so. There is no doubting his class but his trainers handling concerns me. I couldn’t believe they ran him in the King George, knowing he doesn’t like going right handed. Even with that, he again is a live each-way chance.

From the rest of the field, I really can’t see anyone else getting near the above mentioned. One at a very big price to consider could be Noel Meade’s Casey Jones. He is a grade one winner and didn’t run a bad race in last years RSA Chase. He was nearly tailed off with a mile to run but ran on nicely at the end to finish 5th. At around 80-1 he is a big price but keep stakes small.

At the end of the day it’s very hard to get away from Kauto Star. I’m not so sure about Denman and I may be a little naïve but even before his mid race blunder, I didn’t think he was running a great race. The Denman of old would have shaking off Niche Market with ease before his mistake.

I have two theories on his run. One; the ground was too quick and he’s lost a bit of toe or two; Paul Nicholls left plenty to work on after the race. Either way I’m not willing to back Denman at 7-2 to beat Kauto, I don’t think he will. On the other hand, Kauto Star is too short at 4-5. Cooldine is a decent horse but his season has been less then ideal.

For me the bet is Imperial Commander each-way. Also, a small bet on Casey Jones without the first two in the market is advised. You should be able to get 40 or 50-1.

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