The build up to the 2012 Cheltenham Gold Cup is all about whether or not the great Kauto Star will actually turn up or not. This is because the two times Gold Cup winner picked up a training injury when schooling ahead of the big race, leading trainer Paul Nicholls to state that Kauto Star’s chances of making it to the Cheltenham Festival showpiece is only 50-50. But the following day, Nicholls said that the legendary chaser still has a very good chance of making the race and should not be counted out of the running just yet. It will be such a sad sight if Kauto Star doesn’t make it to the start, even sadder if he turns up and is not 100%. While a fully fit Kauto Star was trading on level pegging with defending Champion Long Run as favourite for the race, this latest news has naturally had an effect with the bookies, with Kauto Star drifting out to as much as 9/2 with some bookmakers. Truthfully, looking down the line up in our Cheltenham Gold Cup 2012 Preview, it doesn’t look like one of the strongest fields, and losing such a star as Kauto Star will only take a little gloss of the feature race on Friday, March 16.
Heading the field with the bookies in our 2012 Cheltenham Gold Cup Preview is Long Run, the young pretender to Kauto Star, and the defending Gold Cup champion. It looked as if the youngster was maturing so rapidly and looked pretty unbeatable when landing the massive victory at Cheltenham last year, just as much as it looked as if Kauto Star was finished. However, Kauto Star was far from finished as he fought back to out gun Long Run twice this season. But it is Long Run who goes as favourite, especially with the news of Kauto Star’s 50-50 chance of making the start. Those two defeats for Long Run put a bit of a dent in the form of the seven year old, be he responded with a narrow, and in a lot of people’s eyes, unimpressive win at Newbury in mid February. That win for Long Run came at the expense of Burton Port, who is trading third favourite in our 2012 Cheltenham Gold Cup Preview. Burton Port, trained by Nicky Henderson is a horse full of potential, but whether he is up to Gold Cup winning standards remains to be seen. He finished half a length back from Long Run at Newbury, but the truth is that Long Run still looked to have an extra gear in him.
Grands Crus, trained by David Pipe is likely to have a big say in the contest. He hasn’t been out this year, but is such a steady performer that he can’t be overlooked. Should a surprise outside of Long Run happen, then there is a general feeling that Grands Crus could be the one to spring it. However, he has had only three chases this season and hasn’t been out since December. He was pulled out of the Argento, and while he will make a Gold Cup appearance, the camp are talking up his chances in being readier for the RSA as opposed to the Cheltenham showcase. The stunning white horse was due for a run at Newbury in Cheltenham, but the race was abandoned and rescheduled, which could hurt his chances. That leaves us with a look at Synchronised in our 2012 Cheltenham Gold Cup Preview. The Lexus Chase winner has been off the tracks since late December, when the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown. Does have the ability to be in the hunt for a solid place finish, but again the top class in the 2012 Cheltenham Gold Cup is not immediately as attractive as last year, when you had Long Run taking on Kauto Star, Denman and Imperial Commander.
But the race is closing in and those appear to be the strongest contenders in the Ante Post Cheltenham 2012 Gold Cup betting. The wait will continue to see whether or not, Kauto Star will be out to attempt his third Cheltenham Gold Cup title, or whether all the advantage has been handed back to Long Run.
2012 Cheltenham Gold Cup Betting Odds
Long Run: 6/4 at SkyBet
Kauto Star: 9/2 at Bet Victor
Grands Crus: 7/1 at William Hill
Burton Port: 7/1 at Boylesports
Synchronised: 12/1 at Paddy Power
Weird Al: 14/1 at Totesport
midnight Chase: 16/1 at William Hill
Online bookmaker Boylesports already have a superb Cheltenham Gold Cup betting promotion running for this year’s renewal. Back a horse in the Supreme Novices, Arkle, Festival Handicap Chase or Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham this year, and if your horse finishes second, then the bookie will refund your losing stake as a free bet. So this provides some superb coverage for your Cheltenham 2012 Horse racing betting. Boylesports offer a free £20 bet for new customers registering an account. The bookie will match the value of your first stake on a new account with a free bet, up to the maximum value of £20, giving you some great free betting cash to enjoy.
