Over 6000 UK customers have so far taken part in Sky Bet’s Gold Cup Challenge to predict the first three home in Cheltenham’s showpiece race and a one-two-three of Kauto Star, Denman and Exotic Dancer has been the most popular prediction, polling almost 4%.

Sky Bet make Kauto Star (7/4), Neptune Collonges (9/2) and Denman (6/1) the first three in the Gold Cup Betting and this tricast proved second popular with Sky Bet customers, polling 3.65%.

A repeat of last year’s result with Denman winning, Kauto Star coming runner-up and Neptune Collonges in third place, is the fifth most popular prediction with 2.51% of the vote.

Of one thing Sky Bet customers are sure; victory for Kauto Star. 51% of entrants in the Gold Cup Challenge believe that the 2007 winner will regain his crown on Friday. 16.3% think that Denman will retain the Cup and 8.9% believe that Neptune Collonges will beat both past champions.

Helen Jacob of Sky Bet said, “We’re delighted with the response to the competition and look forward to seeing who is shrewder, Sky Bet racing compilers or the British public! The fact that 51% of people think that Kauto Star will win makes 7/4 look a good price!”

Sky Bet’s Gold Cup Challenge is a free-to-enter competition offering customers the chance to win a share of £10,000 in free bets by predicting the first three home in Friday’s blue riband event. The competition closes at 3pm on Friday 13th March.

Sky Bet Gold Cup Challenge: Top Ten Tricast Predictions
% of Votes
1                      Kauto Star, Denman, Exotic Dancer                                        3.92
2                      Kauto Star, Neptune Collonges, Denman                                3.65
3                      Kauto Star, Denman, Neptune Collonges                                3.62
4                      Kauto Star, Neptune Collonges, Exotic Dancer                        2.78
5                      Denman, Kauto Star, Neptune Collonges                                2.51
6                      Kauto Star, Neptune Collonges, Madison De Berlais              2.07
7                      Kauto Star, Madison De Berlais, Neptune Collonges              2.01
8                      Kauto Star, Madison De Berlais, Denman                               2.01
9                      Denman, Kauto Star, Exotic Dancer                                        1.87
10                    Kauto Star, Exotic Dancer, Denman                                        1.78

Sky Bet Gold Cup Challenge: Gold Cup Winner Predictions
% of Votes
1                      Kauto Star                                                                               51.3
2                      Denman                                                                                   16.3
3                      Neptune Collonges                                                                   8.9
4                      Madison du Berlais                                                                 6.5
5                      Exotic Dancer                                                                          4.7                   Other                                                                                       12.4

Enter the competition now at Skybet