2010 Cheltenham Gold Cup Betting

Punters and bookmakers at the National Hunt Festival 2005

Only the Grand National rivals the Cheltenham Gold Cup as a betting event. While the former attracts bigger money, it is a far tougher race to call, and serious punters prefer betting on the Gold Cup as it rewards careful analysis of racehorse form and ability rather than speculative bets on low-rated handicapped horses.

2010 Cheltenham Gold Cup Betting Tips

The majority of interest in the 2010 Cheltenham Gold Cup is focused on the battle looming between reigning champion, Kauto Star and 2008 winner, Denman. The stablemates have vastly contrasting styles, with Denman favouring a bullocking, never-say-die attitude to racing while Kauto Star is all class and elegance.

The run up to the 2010 Cheltenham Gold Cup has seen both horses obtain good results. Denman has raced twice in the new season, winning a major handicap in the Hennessy Gold Cup before unseating Tony McCoy at the Aon Chase.

Kauto Star’s performances have been flawless in his two races this season. He won the Betfair Chase by beating Imperial Commander by a nose, before putting in a performance of pure class to win the King George VI Chase for the fourth year in succession.

Bookies have Kauto Star as the short odds favourite to win his third Gold Cup title, however the severity of the fences at Cheltenham, as well as the presence of genuine talent in the field, means that it may not all go Kauto Star’s way at Cheltenham in 2010.

The Gold Cup Challengers

The horse priced closest to Kauto Star and Denman is Imperial Commander, a distant third trading at over 10/1 at most bookmakers. This entry’s high price belies real pace and class of the sort he used to push Kauto Star all the way in the Betfair Chase.

While his results in recent races have been disappointing, he’s still maturing and his win in the Ryanair Chase in 2009 marked him out for better things. His high price makes him a top-value each-way punt.

Another entry worth keeping an eye on is Paul Nicholls’ Tricky Trickster. This entry won the National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup at the Cheltenham Festival in 2009 and beat Denman to take the Grade 2 Aon Chase in mid-February.

At 20/1 he’s an interesting each-way proposition.