Just minutes after Imperial Commander crossed the line to win the 2010 Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday, the nation’s leading bookmakers were already queuing up to price up next year’s renewal of the great race.

Imperial Commander shocked punters by breaking Paul Nicholls’ domination in the race and Kauto Star and Denman were forced to make way for jump racings latest hero.  Bet365 believe that Nigel Twiston-Davies’ stable star is every bit a champion and make the nine-year-old a 5/1 shot to return and defend his crown successfully next year.  It is an attractive price in light of his impressive performance at jumping HQ and the fact the firm offer punters that sign up here a free £200 bet on the race makes it all the more enticing.

Horse racing fanatics let out a massive sigh of relief when Kauto Star got to his feet after his horrific fall when sent off favourite on Friday and Paul Nicholls has been keen to tell the nation about the wellbeing of his multiple Grade One-winning legend.  He is confident that Kauto will return in search of a third Gold Cup victory next March and Paddy Power are just one of a number of bookies that are far from keen to lay the horse at fancy prices to regain his crown.  They make him a 6/1 shot to bounce back and resume his place at the top of the jumping elite and Paddy Power may regret the fact they are offering punters that sign up here a free £50 bet on Kauto Star’s 2011 Gold Cup bid.

Denman was on fine form when chasing home Imperial Commander on Friday and he showed all the bravery and tenacity that has become associated with the 2008 Gold Cup winner.  He put up a monster performance to get close to the scintillating winner of the race and Ladbrokes may not be so happy to lay the horse at 10/1 if he returns to Cheltenham in the same mood next year. Sign up with the firm using the bonus code MAXIMUMBONUS and get a free £25 on Denman to win next year’s Gold Cup at a whopping 10/1.

Punters who believe it is time we made way for a new superstar on the block will be more than happy to side with this year’s RSA Chase winner Weapon’s Amnesty who Blue Square are allowing punters to back at 10/1 for the 2011 renewal of the Gold Cup.  Sign up with Blue Square using bonus code MAXIMUMBONUS and get a free £10 bet on next year’s Festival.