The
Gold Cup is undoubtedly the highlight of the Cheltenham Festival, and
with this years race expected to be as competitive as ever, horse
racing fans are certainly in for a treat come race day, whatever the
eventual outcome. Known for its unpredictability, with only six
favourites having won the historic race since 2000, many of this
years competitors will go into the race looking to cause an upset.
Despite
the final line up not being revealed until 48 hours prior to the race
itself, it is looking likely that 22 horses will make up this years
race, held on the last day of the Cheltenham Festival. Still
considerably behind the amount of runners when compared
to the Grand National at Aintree,
it is still safe to say that this years Gold Cup runners provide us
with a mixed bag in terms of quality and form, with any number of
horses in contention for glory.
With
the iconic race held in such high regard in the racing community,
this
will be the big Cheltenham betting highlight for many.
Coral bookmakers currently offer odds ranging between 4/1 and 150/1
to demonstrate the depth in the field. Don Cossack and Vautour are
currently seen as the two favourites with the rest of the field seen
largely as rank outsiders. Do not rule out an upset however, as we do
not have to look too far back in the history books to 2014, when 20/1
outside bet Lord Windermere strode home for a famous and unexpected
win.
With
just eleven horses finishing the race
last time around, as Coneygree rode to victory to upstage the
retiring AP McCoy, race organisers will be hoping that this year’s
event is much more competitive, with the decision to increase the
number of runners being vindicated. Last year’s runner up Djakadam
provides competition for the favourites with odds of 11/2, while Many
Clouds who will look to find form at Cheltenham before competing at
the Grand National next month, is seen as an outsider at 33/1.
Irish
trainer Willie Mullins will be looking to beat his own record of
eight Cheltenham Festival wins in one year, despite losing Faugheen
in the Champion Hurdle to injury. Mullins has yet to win the Gold Cup
however, and will be looking to Djakadam this year to cap of a
potentially hugely successful week. Vauntour is another outside bet
for Mullins, should be have confidence in the horse having the
stamina to go the distance.