Gold Cup Preview: The Frontrunners So Far
It’s just a matter of weeks until the eyes of the globe are firmly fixed on the most exciting week of horse racing in the sport.
Yes, Cheltenham is almost upon us and that means only one thing, time to place your bets!
Bookies are starting to price up riders and offering their horse racing predictions and free bet offers as they look to compete for your custom. But who should you be betting on?
As the countdown continues, we take a look at who are main contenders to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup on March 15…
Presenting Percy
Presenting Percy is currently the standout favourite with the bookies at 3/1 and has already impressed this year.
Despite having not run since last year’s festival, Davy Russell rode him to a fabulous victory in the Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park just a few days ago.
He has pedigree at Cheltenham, having won the RSA Chase last year, and his recent win has seen the bookies slash his odds and place him as a firm favourite.
Native River
Native River is another heavyweight of Cheltenham having won the Gold Cup last year at odds of 5/1.
He’s 9/2 currently with the bookmakers and many punters will be backing him to win back-to-back victories in the race, a feat not achieved since Best Mate claimed three at the turn of the century.
He’ll take part in the Denman Chase at Newbury as his final warm up to the Festival, in what will be a clear marker for where the Colin Tizzard trained horse is at.
A horse worth backing for sure, particularly after a strong run last year.
Clan Des Obeaux
We’ve seen Clan Des Obeaux really come into the frame for the Gold Cup of late and is currently third favourite at 10/1.
Paul Nicholls is hopeful of his horse having a chance following successful Christmas in which he won the King George. He claimed Haydock was the making of him recently and believes his jumping and travelling will provide Nicholls with his first winner in a decade.
He’s still only a young horse so if it isn’t his year this one, we can certainly see him going on to great things.
Kemboy
Willie Mullins has been impressed with how Kemboy has come on and will throw him straight into the Gold Cup this year.
He joins Clan Des Obeaux currently on 10/1 odds after a quality run at Leopardstown, but it’s expected that’ll be the last we see of him until March.
Mullins wants to keep him nice and fresh ahead of the showpiece, although there is still a tiny chance of a run in the Irish Gold Cup.
A nice price at 10/1, he’ll be the value bet many go for.
Might Bite
Last year’s runner up is priced up at 12/1 after going into last year at 4/1 favourite.
His stock has dropped somewhat after struggling for form this season and won’t race again until Gold Cup day following a wind operation.
We all know what Might Bite can do, but to overcome the hurdles that have already been put in front of him could prove a risky bet.