The Cheltenham Gold Cup – 3.30. Ali vs. Fraser, Borg vs. McEnroe, Senna vs. Prost and now what is billed as the greatest equine head to head of all time, Kauto Star vs. Denman. The hype machine has been in overdrive for months and today is the day that we find out which beast will be crowned Champion. Am I alone in thinking that maybe, just maybe, the hype about the big two might just be a bit over the top? That perhaps we might not have the great spectacle that everyone is expecting and perhaps not the result that everyone expects? It is always worth at least considering the alternatives. There is no doubt that Kauto Star and Denman are the two best horses in the race but if they go head to head with the idea that whom ever wins the battle wins the cup, they might just cut each other throats and let in one of the less fancied horses. Denman is a great front running galloper while Kuato Star has a high cruising speed and the greater turn of foot. We can expect Denman to try and draw the sting out of Kauto by setting a testing pace, while Kauto will try and stay within range, then open the taps in the run in. If I had to pick one of the pair it has to be Kauto Star. He has been there and done it, has the stamina and the pace, but I will choose to have a small punt on one of the others. Exotic Dancer has finished behind Kauto Star on five occasions but he is the next best horse outside of the big two and might just find the big prize landing in his lap if the two stars of the show forget the supporting cast and run themselves ragged. Cheltenham is a tough track that allows some horses to shine and Exotic Dancer has always performed well here, never finishing out of the top three in seven starts. He has suffered with a back problem this season but his trainer says that he is over that now and he is fully fit. He will be ridden by Tony McCoy, himself back from injury, and the jockey was said to be delighted after riding work on him last week. You can back him at 5/2 without the big two with Totesport, but why not have a small bet on the unexpected. 1 point e/w Exotic Dancer @ 12/1 with Paddy Power, VCBet, BetFred. A horse with a chance at a big price is Bedlam Boy in the Coral Cup at 1.40. Trainer Nicky Richards is in fine form and the horse has more to come. This race looks wide open and is a favourites grave yard so don’t be put off the big price in a wide open race. 0.5 point e/w Bedlam Boy @ 50/1 with Ladbrokes. |
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