Gold Cup betting tips for the 2012 Cheltenham Festival
22nd of February, 2012
The weeks prior to Cheltenham Festival allow horse betting fans to decipher how competitors are likely to perform in the March event, and which Cheltenham betting odds will prove the most lucrative. With recent news of Long Run placing first at Newbury and reports of illnesses at Paul Nicholls' stables, the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup site has compiled up-to-date predictions for the 2012 Cheltenham Gold Cup, taking into consideration the latest turn of events.
With the shortest available Cheltenham Gold Cup odds, Long Run appears on top form for the upcoming chase. His recent win in the Betfair Denman Chase confirms that Long Run has maintained his strength from the previous season, where he amassed a high number of victories. His recent Newbury win also highlights that with three weeks to the 2012 Cheltenham Festival, Long Run is outperforming other Gold Cup competitors such as Sprinter Sacre.
Long Run has had plenty of experience upon the Cheltenham tracks, so it could be easy work for the horse to defend his 2011 Gold Cup title. What's more, his established partnership with amateur jockey Sam Waley-Cohen led to a whole host of wins in 2011, which looks set to continue into 2012. However, Waley-Cohen has been under criticism regarding his numerous riding bans, with many calling for a professional to ride Long Run instead. It remains unseen whether a seasoned jockey would enhance Long Run's performance or if breaking up the harmonious partnership would instead be a mistake.
While Long Run has the shortest odds for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, many horse racing professionals have predicted that Kauto Star also has a good chance of beating the 2011 champion. In spite of being eleven years old, Kauto Star has had a strong few seasons, putting to bed criticisms regarding his slight dip in 2010. His recent win in the King George VI Chase strengthens the belief that Kauto Star could place first in the 2012 Cheltenham Gold Cup as he was able to beat Long Run by one and a half lengths during the run at Kempton Park.
However, the recent news of several horses at Paul Nicholls' stables falling ill could affect Kauto Star's chance of performing well. Nicholls has not yet commented on which horses are affected and with only three weeks to Cheltenham Festival, many will be hoping that Kauto Star and World Hurdle favourite Big Buck's are fighting fit for March.
For more tips and betting information for the 2012 Cheltenham Gold Cup, visit http://www.betfredcheltenhamgoldcup.com/ - a guide to the upcoming March event.
With the shortest available Cheltenham Gold Cup odds, Long Run appears on top form for the upcoming chase. His recent win in the Betfair Denman Chase confirms that Long Run has maintained his strength from the previous season, where he amassed a high number of victories. His recent Newbury win also highlights that with three weeks to the 2012 Cheltenham Festival, Long Run is outperforming other Gold Cup competitors such as Sprinter Sacre.
Long Run has had plenty of experience upon the Cheltenham tracks, so it could be easy work for the horse to defend his 2011 Gold Cup title. What's more, his established partnership with amateur jockey Sam Waley-Cohen led to a whole host of wins in 2011, which looks set to continue into 2012. However, Waley-Cohen has been under criticism regarding his numerous riding bans, with many calling for a professional to ride Long Run instead. It remains unseen whether a seasoned jockey would enhance Long Run's performance or if breaking up the harmonious partnership would instead be a mistake.
While Long Run has the shortest odds for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, many horse racing professionals have predicted that Kauto Star also has a good chance of beating the 2011 champion. In spite of being eleven years old, Kauto Star has had a strong few seasons, putting to bed criticisms regarding his slight dip in 2010. His recent win in the King George VI Chase strengthens the belief that Kauto Star could place first in the 2012 Cheltenham Gold Cup as he was able to beat Long Run by one and a half lengths during the run at Kempton Park.
However, the recent news of several horses at Paul Nicholls' stables falling ill could affect Kauto Star's chance of performing well. Nicholls has not yet commented on which horses are affected and with only three weeks to Cheltenham Festival, many will be hoping that Kauto Star and World Hurdle favourite Big Buck's are fighting fit for March.
For more tips and betting information for the 2012 Cheltenham Gold Cup, visit http://www.betfredcheltenhamgoldcup.com/ - a guide to the upcoming March event.