The Cheltenham Gold Cup is as keenly anticipated as ever with the feature race of the whole Festival shaping up to be a classic. Much of the ante-post talk is revolving around the fact the ground could be key as three previous Gold Cup winners in Imperial Commander, Denman and Kauto Star take on young pretender Long Run, with a strong supporting cast in attendance.
Reigning champion Imperial Commander is favourite for the 3 mile two furlong feature at odds of 7/2 with Totesport bookmakers after his impressive win last year. The 10-year-old has a formidable record to call on at Cheltenham, with five wins from six over fences at the famous course, and was victorious on his only appearance of the current season in the Betfair Chase at Haydock in November. He cut his leg in that race but Nigel Twiston-Davies has stated his champion is looking good and if he hits his stride he is without a doubt the one to beat.
Interestingly, 16 of the last 17 winners have been aged between 7 and 9 years old and of the leading contenders only Long Run fits that bracket. The 6-year-old announced his Gold Cup credentials with a stunning King George VI win at Kempton in January to maintain an unbeaten record over fences. Nicky Henderson's leading contender is available at odds of 9/2 with Tote but there remain doubts after two unconvincing showings at Cheltenham previously - finishing third in the RSA Chase last year and third in the Paddy Power Gold Cup in November.
Another trend to note for the Gold Cup is that the previous ten winners have all been in the top three in the ante-post odds. Paul Nicholls' Denman is third favourite at the moment at odds of 11/2 as he attends his sixth Cheltenham Festival and fourth Gold Cup. His three previous performances have seen the 11-year-old win in 2008 and finish a gallant runner up in 2009 and again in 2010. His previous appearance this season saw him take third place off top weight in the Hennessy Gold Cup.
Nicholls has four entries for Friday's race, including double winner Kauto Star who is priced 6/1. The 11-year-old was favourite last year but suffered a horrendous fall and a poor run in the King George this year when he floundered behind Long Run will leave many wondering if the four time King George winner is past his best. Nicholls also enters lively 25/1 outsiders Neptune Collonges and What A Friend.
The Irish tilt at the title is led by Noel Meade's three time Grade 1 winner Pandorama who has shortened to odds of 9/1 with Totesport.com, while a decent each way punt could be Willie Mullins' Kempes. The 8-year-old would no doubt prefer softer ground and the Irish Hennessy winner is available at odds of 12/1 and could well thrive in less testing conditions.
Meanwhile, 14/1 fancy Midnight Chase makes the huge step up from handicap company and the 9-year-old has racked up four wins from six over fences. He is regarded as something of a Cheltenham specialist but could struggle against the big guns of Imperial Commander and co.
7/2 Imperial Commander
9/2 Long Run
11/2 Denman
6/1 Kauto Star
9/1 Pandorama
12/1 Kempes
14/1 Midnight Chase
20/1 Tidal Bay
20/1 Weird Al
25/1 What A Friend
25/1 Neptune Collonges
33/1 China Rock
50/1 Albertas Run
66/1 Carruthers
Odds supplied by Totesport.com, best odds guaranteed on all 2011 Cheltenham Festival races.
Posted: Thursday, 17th March 2011
Author: Chris James
Tags: cheltenham gold cup, imperial commander, long run, denman, totesport,
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