Nick Wilby takes a look at the 2010 Gold Cup.

3.20 totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase

3m2 1/2 f Grade One

The third instalment of the long running rivalry between stablemates and arch-rivals Kauto Star (4/5, Bet365 £200 free) and Denman (5/1, Ladbrokes £200 free) and a mouth-watering clash looks in store.  It’s impossible to oppose Kauto Star and he is taken to land his third Gold Cup in four years, confirming himself as one of racing all time legends.  A bloodless 36 length victory in the King George at Kempton proved that the horse is better than ever and he is almost impossible to oppose.

Denman was right back to the brilliant best he’d shown putting Kauto Sword to the sword in the 2008 Gold Cup when annihilating stablemate What A Friend in the Hennessy Gold Cup, but the wheels soon came off when he fluffed his lines in the Aon Chase at Newbury last time out.  He is clearly better than that and if he were to bounce back to his best then it could be the battle we have hoped for all season, but even if he is back to his formidable self it may not be enough to stop the champion.

While Kauto Star looks by far and away the most likely winner, COOLDINE looks a decent price at 2/1 (VCBet, £100 free) in the betting without Kauto Star and Denman market.  He is open to plenty of improvement and could have the better of Imperial Commander (15/2, Paddy Power outright market, £100 free), a horse who’s stamina remains in some doubt.

Nick Wilby’s selection: Cooldine in the betting without Kauto Star and Denman market (2/1, VCBet £100 free)

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