Later today the Cheltenham 2009 Gold Cup will be run. Here's our guide to the Gold Cup Runners and Best Odds
Air Force One
Had his excuses when well beaten behind Kauto Star in the King George and must be taken seriously judged on his Hennessy second. There is still a suspicion he lacks the class at this level.
Albertas Run - 16/1 Betfred
Winner of the RSA Chase last year and a fine second to Kauto Star in the King George at Christmas. Disappointed when well beaten at Kempton last time on easy ground but, granted drier conditions, he could be an each-way shout.
Barbers Shop - 11/1 888Sport
Narrowly beaten at last year's Festival and a creditable second behind Imperial Commander in the Paddy Power. A winner at Sandown since, he is plainly progressive but has been off the track since December. Very inexperienced compared to his rivals and hard to view as a potential winner.
Cerium - 2000/1 Coral
Former high-class chaser, on the decline now and out of his depth.
Denman - 5/1 Ladbrokes
Hugely impressive winner last year but his owners' negative vibes do not inspire confidence. His Kempton defeat behind Madison Du Berlais was also a huge letdown. Bound to have improved for the run, but even Paul Nicholls admits it has been an uphill battle to get him back to his best.
Exotic Dancer - 9/1 888Sports
Absolutely loves Cheltenham but was beaten out of sight in last year's Gold Cup. Showed his Lexus Chase rivals a clean pair of heels at Christmas and should be thereabouts on better ground.
Halcon Genelardais - 66/1 888Sport
A respectable fourth last year but will need a deluge to have any chance of a similar result this time.
Kauto Star - 9/4Ladbrokes
The obvious choice on the book after bouncing back from unseating his rider at Haydock to land a third King George victory at Christmas. Prone to the odd mishap, he was run off his feet by stablemate Denman last year but Paul Nicholls has campaigned him sparsely in response this term. Although virtually a certainty for a place, he has a welter of statistics against him as no horse has reclaimed the crown after being dethroned.
Knowhere - 100/1 VCBet
Off the track since an unplaced run in the Hennessy and does not look good enough for this.
Madison Du Berlais - 10/1 Paddypower
Acts on almost any type of ground and incredibly game, a quality well demonstrated by his Hennessy win. A surprise victory over Denman last time propelled him into the Gold Cup reckoning - but that was against a horse who was clearly not on his game.
Miko De Beauchene - 10/1 Ladbrokes
Enjoyed some high-profile success last year but out of form since and is another who would need a bog to be in the reckoning.
My Will - 100/1 Stan James
Twice a course winner but too slow for this.
Neptune Collonges - 6/1 bet365
The youngest of Paul Nicholls' three big guns and a fast-finishing third in the race last year. This grey caught the eye as he powered up the hill to nearly edge out Kauto Star for second before going on to score a sterling victory at Punchestown. Slipped up on his seasonal bow but put those demons to bed with a superlative fencing display in the Irish Hennessy. This progressive individual still has relatively few miles on the clock and his time has come after a trouble-free preparation.
Roll Along - 66/1 Stan James
Last year's RSA Chase second but has not matched that achievement since and is dropped in at the deep end.
Snoopy Loopy - 100/1 Ladbrokes
A slightly fortunate winner when Kauto Star unshipped at Haydock. Pulled up on his latest start and looks to have had enough for this term.
Star De Mohaison - 25/1 Stan James
Looked set for stardom after wins at Cheltenham and Aintree three years ago but injury robbed him of his Gold Cup chance and he has yet to return to his best. Should have run on the opening day and little chance on this delayed outing.
Summary
Paul Nicholls looks set to dominate again with young pretender NEPTUNE COLLONGES ready to live up to his long-held promise and trump his older stablemates. If he gets round, it is hard to envisage Kauto Star finishing out of the places, while Jonjo O'Neill's pair of Albertas Run and Exotic Dancer both hold sound outside chances at a course around which they both thrive. It will be fascinating to see how Denman performs, but he makes limited appeal with so much still to prove.
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