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Cheltenham Festival: Gold Cup Betting Tips

The Cheltenham Gold Cup might be second to the Grand National in terms of its fame among the general public but it is the pinnacle of steeplechasing, won by every horse with a right to be called a great of the sport.

Multiple Gold Cup winners are always remembered and the elite club to have won three or more Gold Cups are rare indeed.

Best Mate is the most recent, in 2002, 2003 and 2004. Before him it was Arkle. Galopin Des Champs can join them if he wins today.

A field of nine will go to post for Friday's 16:00 race. Here are two to back in an attempt to deny Galopin Des Champs his slice of history.

NAP: Banbridge

It will be tough to beat Galopin Des Champs on ability.

He has won 13 of his 21 races for Willie Mullins and odds of 1-2 reflect his chance: he has a two in three chance of winning.

What is being underestimated are the chances of Banbridge being the one to capitalise if Galopin Des Champs missteps.

This horse has done something in the last 11 months that Galopin Des Champs surely could not. He has beaten the then-reigning Champion Chase winner over two miles.

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Stamina was the doubt hanging over Banbridge when he lined up in the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day.

That was his first run over three miles and Paul Townend rode him to make use of his speed. He was the only runner to come close to the pace-setting Il Est Francais and he got on top from the last to win.

The Gold Cup is a stiffer test than the King George. History shows us that, as plenty who have won at Kempton have failed to get home at Cheltenham.

But, at the same time, the sort of doughty stayers who used to win the Gold Cup as a matter of course are often found out for speed these days.

Banbridge is closer to the modern blueprint of a Gold Cup horse than people appreciate. If a horse is to beat Galopin Des Champs, it is likely to be him.

NB: The Real Whacker

This is a relatively small field by Gold Cup standards. Only nine will face the starter and there is no dedicated frontrunner.

Closest would be The Real Whacker, who can hang around long enough to take minor honours at huge odds.

This horse won the Brown Advisory, the novice equivalent of the Gold Cup, two years ago. He has not made an impact at the highest level yet but in his completed starts this year he has won the Charlie Hall and finished fourth in the King George.

Cheltenham is his happy place, he showed that with an exceptional round of jumping when he won the Brown Advisory.

If he is given free rein on the front, it is hard to see three going past The Real Whacker.

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Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation

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