While the first day of the 2008 Cheltenham Festival looks to be in doubt following severe storm warnings for Gloucestershire on Monday and Tuesday, there have been no signs of diminished enthusiasm for the 2008 Cheltenham Cup race which is unlikely to be affected by the storm front passing over Prestbury Park.

The race between Denman and Kauto Star has gripped the public, with many claiming this will be the greatest showdown in the Cheltenham Cup since Arkle defeated reigning champion, Mill House, at the 1964 Cheltenham Cup to claim the first of his three Gold Cup wins.

Whilst many racing fans are hanging on the words of racing pundits, featured jockeys and trainers, looking for guidance on who to back at the 2008 Cheltenham Cup, others are rallying behind the clutch of horses who could upset the party on Friday.

With Afistfulofdollars now confirmed as a supplemented runner for the race, and Tony McCoy declared fit to take the saddle of Exotic Dancer, several wise heads, including Cheltenham Racecourse director Edward Gillespie, believe that things will not go the way of the favourites on Cheltenham Cup day. With weather likely to shape turf conditions, the race that is predicted to stop a nation may deliver the biggest upset in festival history.