The eagerly anticipated Cheltenham Gold Cup showdown between Long Run and Kauto Star is set to spark a £50 million betting spree on the final day of the Cheltenham Festival to take total turnover on the week above the £300 million mark.

With two wins apiece, the Gold Cup could be the decider between the reigning champion, Long Run, and the dual-winner, Kauto Star, and a win for either horse would see punters end the week on a high.

“Long Run looked set to rule supreme after his victory in last year’s Gold Cup, but Kauto Star has returned to his best this season, and has beaten his younger rival twice already, setting up the Gold Cup decider, a race that could see £50 million wagered on it across the betting industry,” said Coral’s David Stevens.

“No horse had lost and then won back the Gold Cup until Kauto Star did it, and now he could break another record by winning it back again, and that would raise the roof at Cheltenham, but Long Run will have plenty of his own supporters, and a win for either would ensure punters end the Festival on a high,”added Stevens.

Cheltenham Gold Cup 2012 – Coral betting

7-4 Long Run, 7-2 Kauto Star, 7-1 Burton Port, 10-1 Midnight Chase, Synchronised, Weird Al, 12-1 Quel Esprit, 25-1 Time For Rupert, What A Friend, 33-1 Diamond Harry, 40-1 The Giant Bolster, 50-1 China Rock, 66-1 Carruthers, Knockara Beau, 100-1 The Midnight Club

Cheltenham Gold Cup Review and Runners

So we come to the main event of the week the 2012 Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup and 15 head to post. I have to say this year’s renewal looks one of the best for some time and it’s time for the talking to stop.

So who are you with LONG RUN or the Star KAUTO STAR or perhaps even a new kid on the block?! Well I’m going to plump for my favourite horse of all time KAUTO STAR, even though confidence has been slightly dented in the build up to the big day. I think Long Run is the main danger but here are my thoughts on the field.

No.	Colours	Horse	Form	Approx. Odds	Bet	Age	Trainer	Jockey	Rating
7		Long Run	11-221	2/1		7	Nicky Henderson	Sam Waley-Cohen	182
The current champion who needs to prove he can come back and defend his crown, as the doubters are definitely out in force. Not the sexiest of horses in the line up but seems quite a stuffy type and can only improve with Racing. I was lucky enough to see him at Newbury after his latest win and between then and seeing him again at Seven Barrows, he’d improved so much. He looks as if he’s peaking at the right time so be warned especially with the Henderson team on fire!!
5		Kauto Star	33-P11	4/1		12	Paul Nicholls	Ruby Walsh	183
What can I say about this superstar?! Well in my opinion I’ll be very lucky in my lifetime to see another like him, as he simply has it all. Paul Nicholls must feel so lucky to be handling one of the best Chaser’s of all time and the way he has bounced back this year is not only a credit to the horse but the staff down at Ditcheat. If he rocks up at Cheltenham on Friday you can be rest assured Paul will have him where he wants. For what it’s worth I think if he wins this year’s Gold Cup it will be Paul’s greatest ever training performance – by a mile!! Tip To Win
1		Burton Point	21/2-2	15/2		8	Nicky Henderson	Barry Geraghty	166
There was plenty of stable confidence in this son of Bob Back on his return to the track at Newbury last time out after a lengthy absence, where he was in receipt of 10lbs from his stable companion Long Run and certainly did not let his supporters down. If Nicky can derive some more improvement which there is no reason why he can’t then he’s right there in the mix. In fact he could be the one that causes a major upset.
8		Midnight Chase	15-F31	12/1		10	Neil Mulholland	Dougie Costello	163
Would be great for connections if he can land this contest but I personally feel he’ll set the pace and get found out when the main protagonists turn the tap on and start to race down the hill. If he finishes in the frame all involved with the horse would be over the moon.
14		Weird Al	18P-13	12/1		9	Donald McCain	Jason Macguire	164
Probably just short on class at this level but is a sound jumper and will give you a good run for your money. If he gets a clear round he will be doing all his best work at the finish and could sneak a place. He could be worth looking at for this year’s Grand National as he’s just the type to go well in a race of that nature.
10		Synchronised	3-P731	14/1		9	Jonjo O’Neil	Tony McCoy	167
Have to doubt his participation especially as the ground could be on the quick side even though he’s been declared, so if he lines up his chance must be respected as he has been handled impeccably by connections. Could be another to cause an upset and will be staying on up the hill when others are faltering.
9		Quel Esprit	F-B111	16/1		8	Willie Mullins		160
Took a tumble last year when travelling well in the RSA Chase and even though he has plenty of 1’s next to his name, I genuinely feel he’ll get found out in this company. Saying that he has a touch of class so could be one for hitting the frame at decent odds.
15		What A Friend	24P-33	25/1		9	Paul Nicholls	Daryl Jacob	165
Now a horse who could actually run a massive race under what looks ideal conditions, so it may be worth looking at the market w/o Long Run and Kauto Star in the field, as he’s currently trading at 14/1 with Bet365 ¼ odds 1, 2 and 3 places which looks outstanding value in my book considering they go 16/1 with those two in the field. Get on now each way as even if he finishes 5th we will be picking up.
4		Diamond Harry	P/1-45	33/1		9	Nick Williams	Noel Fehily	160
A horse with so much ability who has just seemed to lose his way and I’m not sure ground conditions will play to his strengths, as he’s quite a fragile type. Noel Fehily is in the saddle and will be hoping to spring another surprise but I’m not convinced myself.
3		China Rock	34P-45	50/1		9	M F Morris	A E Lynch	152
Now this horse could be the fly in the ointment as I know connections have been training him for one day – today. He may be short of top class but has a heart and will battle all the way to the line, so at a tasty 40/1 with Paddy Power ¼ odds 1, 2 and 3 places without the front two it looks worth getting involved.
13		Time For Rupert	5-2514	50/1		8	Paul Webber	Denis O’Regan	153
Looked the real deal last season but has just been found wanting at the top level and again he’s a horse I could not be with in this line up.
2		Carruthers	49-31P	66/1		9	Mark Bradstock	Mattie Batchelor	151
Last year’s Hennessy Gold Cup winner and if he can land this event then there will not be a dry eye in the house but I feel the horse and connections have had their day in the sun. He definitely falls short in this grade but he will be up there from the off and making sure it’s a proper gallop.
11		The Giant Bolster	4U7214	66/1		7	David Bridgwater	Tom Scudamore	160
No disrespect to connections but I love this horse yet running him in a Gold Cup is ridiculous. He’s a gorgeous mover and could pick up a bit of prize money but I’m convinced there would be suitable targets but as I stated earlier you only get one Cheltenham Gold Cup.
6		Knockara Beau	02632	100/1		9	George Charlton	Jan Faltejsek	147
A gorgeous horse who always gives his running, probably another short of top class but will be doing all his best work at the finish but I can’t see him bothering the main protagonists.
12		The Midnight Club	16-B43	100/1		11	Willie Mullins		145
Now an interesting horse and could be this year’s Grand National winner, so if he can pop round and finish 5th or 6th I would be very happy with that and he could head to Aintree as one of the fancied ones. At the time of writing he’s 33/1 with Ladbrokes and Stan James and they may look very big on the day considering he went off favourite for the race last year.
Cheltenham Gold Cup Odds from Paddy Power: 15-8 Long Run, 7-2 Kauto Star, 13-2 Burton Port, 11 Weird Al, 12 Midnight Chase, 14 Quel Esprit, Synchronised, 20 What A Friend, 33 Diamond Harry, 40 Time For Rupert, 50 China Rock, Carruthers, 66 The Giant Bolster, 80 Konockara Beau, The Midnight Club