Cheltenham Gold Cup Best Odds, Runners & Favourites are really split between the main four challenges for this year’s renewal. Imperial Commander of course, was last year’s winner in the prestigious race, with Kauto Star taking a tumble along the way. There have been many questions raised about all of the front runners for this year’s race, with bookmakers predicting that there could well be an upset this year. Imperial Commander, trading as favourite in Antepost Cheltenham betting, certainly seems to have something of an advantage over the other three front runners, namely Long Run, Denman and Kauto Star. Imperial Commander though has to produce a good performance, to prove to any doubters that he is a truly class act and worthy of holding this title. Critics have put last year’s victory down to failures on the part of Denman and Kauto Star, which seems a little harsh. Still, Imperial Commander has a lot of strength on his side and he is such a classy jumper. Punters have not seem him since last year though and that raised question about how sharp he will be. Still in at 7/2 with Totesport, very good value for the favourite.
As for two times winner Kauto Star (13/2 at SportingBet), there have been questions about how well he will be able to stand up, now age is not on his side. Has proven before of course that he has the stamina, has the speed, has the power, but how much is left in him. Still, Kauto Star will remain popular in betting, as will always draw the romantic bet from the punters at Cheltenham. Kauto Star genuinely is one of the greats, but having drifted out to third favourite behind Imperial Commander and Long Run, perhaps his time has passed. Would be a popular winner, but it could just be beyond him at this stage of his career. Probably still well worth an each way bet, because a strong run should see him place. Whether he has that edge to win it or not, remains to be seen. Much the same thing can be said of Denman, who goes in search of his second Gold Cup triumph. Denman has undergone surgery for his breathing, which looked to be hampering him in the latter stages of runnings. Since it has been done, he has looked a lot stronger and there are strong singles coming from his stables that he is ready to get back on top. An uncompromising presence in the field, he could be strong enough to battle his way to the front. Ran a fantastic race in the Hennessey when carrying top weight, running in second. Suggest that he could be great value in the 2011 Cheltenham Gold Cup Best Odds, Runners & Favourites betting, at a price of 13/2 with Bet365.
But a lot of the hype has been surrounding the youngster in the field, Long Run. At just six year’s old he definitely has the edge over the other three main contenders in terms of age. He has the speed and the legs to really make a challenge here, and ever since his oh so impressive victory in the King George, he has drawn more and more attention in the ante post betting, nestling in close behind Imperial Commander. Can he hold his speed until he needs it the most? Cheltenham Gold Cup Favourites prices sees Long Run in with a chance at 5/1 with Victor Chandler, but he hasn’t proven himself at Cheltenham, putting in a couple of average runs there. When he is on song, he is very fluent, but maybe the Cheltenham track just takes a little more stamina than he has at the moment. A raw talent, but a fantastic prospect. These are clearly the front runners for the 2011 Cheltenham Gold Cup, and if a winner comes from outside of those four, then it will be a major surprise. Pandorama (14/1 at Victor Chandler) could threaten, but needs the conditions just right, so Kempes (12/1 at Boylesports) would likely be the major upset were one to happen.
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