The Cheltenham Gold Cup is the showpiece on day four of the Cheltenham Festival, and actually is the most prestigious race of the whole meeting. It’s a Grade 1 chase for horses aged five years and older and is run over a trip of three miles, two and a half furlongs. The runners must negotiate 22 fences during the Blue Riband of jump racing.

First run in 1924, the Cheltenham Gold Cup was first run on the Old Course at Cheltenham before switching to the New Course in 1959. This point on is known as the modern era in Gold Cup history. Piper Champagne became the first sponsor of the race in 1975 before the Tote took over in 1980. This year, bookmaker Betfred become the third sponsor of the Cheltenham Festival’s biggest event.

Golden Miller is the most successful horse in Cheltenham Gold Cup history having won the race on five separate occasions. Kauto Star became the first horse to regain the title of Gold Cup winner in 2009. He attempts to regain the crown once again this year and has shown he still possesses enough ability to do just that after winning the King George in December.

2012 Cheltenham Gold Cup Trends

10 of the last 10 winners had previously won a Grade 1 Chase
10 of the last 10 winners started in the first three in the betting
9 of the last 10 winners had won or been placed at a previous Cheltenham Festival
9 of the last 10 winners were aged between seven and nine years old
9 of the last 10 winners were rated 166 or higher

2012 Cheltenham Gold Cup Tips

Long Run was the impressive winner of the 2011 Cheltenham Gold Cup and is the 9/4 favourite with sponsors Betfred to make it back to back wins. He has every chance of doing just that in 2012 but he has twice been beaten by Kauto Star this season and some might say you’re better sticking with the Paul Nicholls trained runner to win his third Gold Cup at odds of 4/1.

I personally think he had a very hard race in the King George and at 12 years old it’s very hard to see him winning another Gold Cup, not impossible but it would be arguably the most incredible feat the sport has ever seen.

At bigger odds, Midnight Chase is worth a small each way bet. He’s not quite in the same class as Kauto and Long Run but he is a very good chaser in his own right and the crucial factor is he gets on well at Cheltenham. The horse has been given a lighter campaign this year and I expect connections to have him spot on come March 16^th.

Tipsters Bet: Back Long Run @ 9/4 with Betfred
Tipsters Bet: Back Midnight Chase each way @ 16/1 with Paddy Power

2012 Cheltenham Gold Cup Betting Odds (Prices from Betfred, EW 1/4, 1,2,3)

Long Run 9/4
Kauto Star 7/2
Grands Crus 8/1
Synchronised 12/1
Midnight Chase 14/1
Weird Al 16/1
Quito De La Roque 25/1
Quel Espirit 25/1
33/1 Bar

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Article & Tips provided by Jamie Currie