This year's Cheltenham Gold is fast approaching and in many ways the situation has not changed from last year, Kauto Star went into the race as favourite after having won the King George Chase in 2008 and it's exactly the same in 2009. Kauto Star is available at 2/1 from Sportingbet.
Questions were raised about Kauto's ability to stave off his much heralded stable mate Denman, who came into the race as second favourite in 2008, and suprise suprise - it is the same again for 2009, but this time of course Denman has been far less convincing than 12 months ago. Nonetheless their trainer, Paul Nicholls is keen that the two battle it out again. Denman is currently priced at 5/1 from all top bookmakers, including William Hill.
Bookmakers are reporting increasing support for Kauto Star as well as last years third, Neptune Collonges, also trained by Nicholls. Neptune Collonges is a decent 6/1 from Ladbrokes.
Madison Du Berlais has a trainer who's confident that his horse can improve for the run and will go into the race with huge potential. Do not forget that Madison is the only horse ever to have beaten Denman over fences and it was by such a wide margin that it is seriously difficult to see Denman being able to make that up. Madison Du Berlais is being shortened for the race all the time and is now 8/1 with Bet365 in the Gold Cup Betting.
Notre Pere is an interesting entry. Winner of the Welsh Grand National, Notre has to be considered for the Gold Cup with odds of 33/1 from Sportingbet he's certainly worth an outside punt.