The countdown to the 2012 Cheltenham Gold Cup is finally over and there is a fantastic race card in store for racing fanatics.
Back Kauto Star at a best-priced 6/1 in our exclusive offer ahead of the Gold Cup. He's top price 7/2 elsewhere, take 6/1
here.
After two weeks of drama following Kauto Star’s crashing fall in a schooling session at Paul Nicholls’ yard, the legendary chaser has bounced back again and he will head to Prestbury Park in search of a remarkable third Gold Cup victory.
The superstar is currently a best-priced 6/1 in our
exclusive offer and there won’t be a dry eye on the Cotswolds if he manages to leap into the record books and recapture his crown for the second time.
But first he must wrestle the title off Nicky Henderson’s Long Run and although Kauto Star has had the better of him in the Betfair Chase and King George already this season, the reigning champion remains the 15/8 favourite with
Paddy Power.
He will be looking to secure his status as the best chaser in the country but his followers will be wary of ‘King Kauto’ and the likes of Weird Al and Burton Port who will also have plenty of supporters.
Luckily for punters, the nation’s leading bookmakers are giving fans plenty of reasons to be confident ahead of the race and there are a number of promotions that have to be taken advantage of.
Leading bookmaker
Sportingbet are offering all new customers an incredible £50 risk free bet on the race which means that you can pick any horse in the field and get your money back if they fail to win.
Paddy Power are also leading the way into the race by offering punters £200 worth of free bets on the final day of the meeting.
The Irish bookmaker ‘s free bet offer will be of great relief to those who haven’t had too much luck yet this season, while
Ladbrokes’ handful of matched bets continue to go down well with our shrewd newsletter readers.
If you haven’t already made the most of the free bet offers at this week’s Festival, now is the time to get your hands on your Gold Cup free bet. The race starts at 3.20 and you could be betting with the bookmaker’s money!
Cheltenham Festival race card – Gold Cup Friday
13:30 JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1)
14:05 Vincent O'Brien County Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)
14:40 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Registered As The Spa Novices' Hurdle) (Grade 1)
15:20 Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1)
16:00 Christie's Foxhunter Chase Challenge Cup
16:40 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle
17:15 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase Challenge Cup (Grade 3 Handicap)