2009 PADDY POWER GOLD CUP BETTING TIPS

We're now just a few days away from one of the most widely-anticipated National Hunt fixtures of the year- the Paddy Power Gold Cup. This year's edition of the race looks a truly wide open one and we still have plenty of question marks over top of who, exactly, is going to line up officially for this one. 
Soft ground remains an issue for a number of the top horses involved and one of the ante-post favourites, Poquelin (10/1), could skip the race as he runs his best on a firmer surface. Early speculation indicated that Ruby Walsh will take the mount should he run. Another Paul Nicholls runner looks to be favouring a chance at softer going and that's Tatenen, who is currently trading at around 10/1 with Victor Chandler
One runner I have my eye on and seems to be progressing towards a start in the race, at least, is Tartak a six year-old bay gelding out of France who took the Grade 2 John Smith's Manifesto Novices Chase at the Grand National Festival last year. He's all over the map in various ante-post markets with prices as high as 25/1 with William Hill and Victor Chandler, and as low as 14/1 with Paddy Power. 
The odds for the race are being skewed a bit over at Paddy Power thanks to their announcement of The Mother of All Money Back Specials. I've been betting with Paddy for quite some time and I've never seen a special as good as this one, although their Money-Back Special for the Champions League Final was a close second. If ANY Paul Nicholls-trained runner wins the race Paddy Power is REFUNDING ALL LOSING WIN OR EACH-WAY BETS. Yeah. You heard right.
The favourite for the race, Chapoturgeon is a Paul Nicholls-owned grey gelding and is attracting across-the-board support, despite this effectively being his first run of the season. He rose in prominence when he took the Jewson Novices Handicap Chase at last year's Cheltenham Festival and could have really pushed it to be a successful early 2009 before falling in the John Smith's Manifesto Novices Chase when Tartak took the victory. You'll find Chapoturgeon at around 6/1 with William Hill.
Nigel Twiston-Davies will be entering his 9 year old Ballyfitz, a well-respected runner, and I expect him to attract a significant amount of attention. He was lightly raced in 2009 and I think that helps, I would prefer if he'd already had a go and came in off a victory this season, but I still think he could be a very strong contender. He was pulled up in the RSA Chase and I think Grade 1 may be a bit beyond him, but this is the Paddy Power Gold Cup and I think it's a winnable race for him. You can back Ballyfitz at 10/1 with Bet365.