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Everyone knows that it is a little early to tell what could happen at the Cheltenham Festival, but it is more than likely that the vast majority of punters will be putting a bet on either Denman or Kauto Star for the Gold Cup.
Denman, unbeaten in eight starts, has been nicknamed 'The Tank' - take just one look at him and you can see why. He won both the Hennessy and the Cheltenham Gold Cup in the 2007-08 season, and won the Hennessy Gold Cup Chase at Newbury in November. This has made him the first horse to win a second Hennessy since Arkle, the Irish chaser who won the race in 1964 and 1965, as well as the Cheltenham Gold Cup three years consecutively. The 2009 Hennessy Gold Cup was a career best for Denman, as he was carrying 13 pounds more than when he won the race two years previously, and his bold jumping and consistent rhythm won him the race by three and a half lengths from What a Friend. With Denman going for his second Gold Cup this March at Cheltenham it is easy to see why there is so much conjecture about which horse will win the race, when you realise that Kauto Star will be in the race aiming to win for his third time! Kauto Star is also being compared to the great Arkle, and the upcoming Cheltenham Gold Cup is speculated to be like the 1964 race, where Arkle and Mill House provided a well-remembered showdown of the type we are expecting of these two modern-day greats. Making things spicier than the 1964 race where Mill House and Arkle represented different countries, Kauto Star and Denman are not only representing the same country, but they are also neighbours in the Paul Nicholls yard. BHA head of handicapping Phil Smith, has recently dropped Kauto Star two pounds, since his last race the William Hill King George VI Chase, giving him a revised mark of 193. Even though he has dropped him this is still the highest Smith has ever rated a horse. Denman is usually paired with jockey Sam Thomas, but it was the great Ruby Walsh who brought him to victory in the Hennessy Gold Chase, but it looks as though Walsh will remain loyal to Kauto Star for the Gold Cup, having triumphed with him in their last four races together. To add even more to this already enthralling race, it is likely that Denman will be ridden by Walsh's arch competitor Tony McCoy, who many will agree are an ideal match for this three mile, two and a half furlongs, with a stamina-sapping 237 yard uphill finish race. But will it be enough to get past Ruby and Kauto Star? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure - if we are looking forward to the Gold Cup with this much anticipation think how Champion Trainer Paul Nicholls must be feeling.
The Cheltenham Festival is one of the most popular race meeting in the United Kingdom, the highlight of the meet is the Gold Cup. This years running will see legends Kauto Star and Denham pitted against each other again.
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