A FORTY million pound betting bonanza is on the cards ahead of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, according to Ladbrokes.
Ladbrokes are offering customers a free £200 bet on the 2010 Gold Cup - sign up here to get your free bet.
The bookies are expecting a record-breaking climax to the racing Festival as stablemates Kauto Star and Denman prepare to go head-to-head in the big race of the week.
The fierce rivalry has divided opinion - and prompted a third successive year of mammoth punting.
David Williams of Ladbrokes said: "Betting at the Festival has once again gone through the roof and the Gold Cup clash will see a multi-million pound frenzy.
"We're used to seeing big money at the Festival but the Kauto vs Denman clash could send us into meltdown. We're only glad they both can't win!"
Bookies enjoyed a good start to the Festival but a win for Kauto Star could yet
"Kauto Star is the horse we fear. He has a public following that transcends racing. If he climbs the famous Cheltenham Hill and races to victory we could end up handing back all the money we collected earlier in the week."
Latest Ladbrokes Cheltenham Gold Cup betting: 4/6 Kauto Star, 4/1 Denman, 8/1 Cooldine, 8 Imperial Commander, 14/1 Tricky Trickster, 50 Carruthers, 66 Calgary Bay, 100 bar.