The big one. Kauto Star v Denman. The 2010 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Of course Kauto Star will win a third Gold Cup if he prevails here, but we saw Master Minded fail and now all eyes are on Kauto Star.

I think regular readers of the website will know by now that this is a big one and that I am 100 per cent behind Kauto Star. There is no doubt that Kauto Star has the tallent and the class to win. So does Denman. Is he value, NO!

But it is about more than value. The win at Kempton in the King George was simply sensational. Any horse that can do that gets my vote. The weather has held off and I think that the ground will be perfect of Kauto Star. That for me was the only doubt. I think Denman will be second and I think Tricky Trickster will be third. Cooldine is the only one I see possibly breaking the Nicholls hold on the race.

Kauto Star looks for a third Gold Cup at Cheltenham

Kauto Star the best bet of the day to win a third Cheltenham Gold Cup!

What Charlie McCann Thinks…..

Kauto Star v Denman clash is on for 2010

The article, by Jonathan Powell in the Mail On Sunday, quoted Denman’s part-owner Paul Barber as saying: “If Ruby Walsh opts for Kauto Star at Cheltenham, we intend to go for the next best jockey, simple as that.”

But McCoy was quoted as saying he had received no approach from Barber or Nicholls, and the trainer said on Sunday: “People can speculate as much as they want, but I have made no decision about jockey arrangements for the Gold Cup and I would be crazy to do so with Cheltenham still two months away.

“A football manager does not name his team for the FA Cup final eight weeks before the match and it’s no different to my situation. You wait until nearer the day and you then ask two questions: one, who is fit? And two, who is available?”

He went on: “I know what Paul [Barber] said to Jonathan [Powell], and what he actually said was, “We intend to go for the next-best jockey who is available at the time”. And how can we possibly know who is available this far in advance?

“Jockeys can get hurt, God forbid; horses can run below form or get injured – so much can happen, and it would be pointless my making a decision about Denman now, based on who Ruby may or may not ride in the Gold Cup.

“I feel under no pressure whatsoever on this matter. I will make an announcement when I feel the time is right and appropriate.”

It hasyet to be decided where Denman will make his next appearance. Both the Aon Chase at Newbury on February 13 and the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown six days earlier are under consideration, while the Letheby and Christopher Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham in 12 days’ time is also a possibility.

Nicholls stressed: “It’s important to keep all our options open.”

Big Bucks World Hurdle Favourite

Paul Nicholls To Win The 4 Big Races At Cheltenham In 2010 ~ (Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase, World Hurdle & Gold Cup)

33 Yes

The Gold Cup, Champion Chase and World Hurdle look strong possibilities, but it is the Champion Hurdle that is the hard one, Celestial Halo looking the stable’s best bet.

2010 Racing specials from Stan James:

Who Will Ride The horse (Denman or Kauto Star) That Ruby Walsh Does Not Pick? ~ Gold Cup Special
1-2 Thomas, Sam
5-2 Mccoy, A P
8 Williams, C
14 Geraghty, B
25 Any Other

A P. McCoy v B.Geraghty (Cheltenham Festival Jockey Match Bet) ~ Cheltenham Festival Match Bet

4-6 B.Geraghty
11-10 A-P.McCoy

Cheltenham Festival Ground On 1st Day Special ~ Ground On The 1st Day Of The Cheltenham Festival

5-4 Good
5-4 Good To Soft
4 Soft
9 Heavy

Will The Grand National Winner Carry More Than 11 Stone?

4-9 No
7-4 Yes

Champion Bumper 2010 Winning Trainer Nationality

1-4 Irish Trained
3 British Trainer

Tony Mccoy To Ride The Winner Of The 2010 Grand National

14 Yes

To Win Both The 2000 Guineas & The Derby In 2010

6 St Nicholas Abbey

The market says that Kauto Star will win The King George. He is odds on to win the Kempton show piece on Boxing day but may face Denman at Cheltenham. Kauto Star has already won two Cheltenham Gold Cups but a third may be his toughest test yet. With him looking very strong for Kempton the 4/1 may offer some serious value in the Gold Cup.


You can get a £25 Free Bet With William Hill….

William Hill King George VI Chase (sponsors bet): 8-11 Kauto Star, 6-1 Imperial Commander, 9-1 Madison Du Berlais, 14-1 Albertas Run, Cooldine, Nacarat, 16-1 Voy Por Ustedes, 20-1 Barbers Shop, 25-1 Deep Purple, Kalahari King, 33-1 In Compliance, Well Chief, What a Friend, 40-1 Racing Demon, Schindlers Hunt, 50-1 Atouchbetweenacare, Cloudy Lane, Glencove Marina, Monet’s Garden, Our Vic, Roll Along, 66-1 Cappa Bleu, Casey Jones, Joe Lively, Master Medic, Tartak, War of Attrition, 80-1 Ollie Magern, 100-1 Ballyfitz, 200-1 Chief Dan George, 500-1 Sandymac (EW 1/4 1-2-3)

Special: 4-1 Kauto Star to win the King George & Gold Cup



William Hill King George without Kauto Star: 3-1 Imperial Commander, 5-1 Madison Du Berlais, 6-1 Nacarat, 7-1 Albertas Run, 10-1 Barbers Shop, Cooldine, Well Chief, 12-1 Deep Purple, Racing Demon, 14-1 What a Friend, 16-1 Joe Lively, Kalahari King, 20-1 Cloudy Lane, In Compliance, Roll Along, Schindlers Hunt, War of Attrition, 25-1 bar (EW 1/4 1-2-3)

Lets hope Kauto Star makes history!

Kauto Star odds on for King George

Kauto Star dual Cheltenham Gold Cup Winner

Kauto Star is the 2007 and 2009 Gold Cup Winner. Denman in the 2008 Gold Cup Winner. Both horses are trained by Paul Nicholls and it will be interesting to see who Ruby Walsh will choose to ride, but should remain loyal to Kauto Star.

Denman was unstoppable under Sam Thomas in 2008 when beating Kauto Star but had heart problems, coming back in 2009 to run second. Now he looks back to his best and will look to win back his Gold Cup crown.

Denman- 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup Winner

The 2010 Cheltenham Gold Cup is a date for all National Hunt fans’ Diary! Kauto Star and Denman at the top of their game….who will you support?

Kauto Star v Denman clash is on for 2010

Denman was brilliant!

Hennessy Gold Cup, Newbury, 28 November
1st 1 Denman (IRE) 11-4 F
2nd 9 What A Friend 7-1
3rd 18 Niche Market (IRE) 33-1
4th 5 Barbers Shop 13-2

Denman put up a remarkable weight-carrying performance to win the Hennessy Gold Cup for a second time at Newbury. The 2007 winner, trained by Paul Nicholls and ridden by Ruby Walsh, outbattled his stable companion What A Friend to justify strong market support.

The 11-4 favourite, carrying 11-12, pulled clear on the run-in to win by three and a half lengths from What A Friend (7-1). Niche Market (33-1) was three and three-quarter lengths away third and Barbers Shop (13-2) fourth.

Stan James have reacted and Denman has been cut from 5s into 5/2 for the 2010 Gold Cup after his memorable Hennessy Gold Cup success earlier this afternoon. Stan James have also opened a market on which horse will jockey Ruby Walsh ride in the race and bet 4/7 he remains loyal to kauto Star and 5/4 he jumps ship to Denman. Both horses have to line up for the race or all bets void. What A Friend is the 6/1 favourite for the Coral Welsh National and Niche Market is 14s from 25s for the same race.

Gold Cup 2010 ~ Outright Ante post, (place terms: 1/4 the first 3)

2 Kauto Star (from 7/4)
5-2 Denman (from 5/1)
8 Imperial Commander
8 Cooldine
25 Forpadydeplasterer
25 Barbers Shop
25 Notre Pere
33 Bar

Which horse will Ruby Walsh ride in the 2010 Gold Cup?

Denman 5/4 v Kauto Star 4/7 (both horses must start all all bets void)

Denman – winner of the 2007 Hennessey – began his build-up to a second attempt at the famous race with a gallop at Exeter this afternoon. Connections will be hoping to regain the Cheltenham Gold Cup they lost to Kauto Star in 2009.

Denman looking good

Drawing comparisons to the Denman of old, the 2008 Gold Cup hero appeared to be blooming with health in the parade ring before his circuit gallop of the Devon course alongside stable mate Beshabar. The duo cantered for most of the course, before upping the tempo in the home-straight with Denman leading the pair home. Denmam ran one of the best races of his life in the Hennessey Gold Cup, under top weight before winning at Cheltenham.

William Hill are offering 6-1 about a repeat Gold Cup win putting him second-favourite in the list behind the reigning Gold Cup Champion, and 7-4 favourite Kauto Star.

Kate Miller, spokeswoman for William Hill, said: ‘’He looked much like the Denman of old with plenty of condition, and strode out well on the softening ground. It is clearly full steam ahead for his second Hennessey bid, and possibly a return to his golden season of 2007-2008.’’

Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup: 7-4 Kauto Star, 6-1 Denman, 10-1 Cooldine, 16-1 Madison du Berlais, Notre Pere, 25-1 Imperial Commander, 33-1 Barber Shop, Cappa Bleu, Rare Bob, 40-1 Aran Concerto, Killyglen, Schindlers Hunt, 50-1 Albertas Run, Joncol, Niche Market, (Others On Request) (EW 1/4 1,2,3)