2010 CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL FRIDAY TIPS PART TWO

Now that we've covered the three undercard races on the penultimate day of the 2010 Cheltenham Festival, we're now set to tackle the big one- the 2010 Cheltenham Gold Cup. What a race this is going to be. 

Living legend Kauto Star is set for his next major accomplishmen after capturing the hearts of a nation once again in the King George, winning by an unsurmountable 36 lengths. This is a once-in-a-lifetime horse and now that Big Buck's has broken the duck for the bankers, it looks like punters from all four corners of the globe will be piling bets onto Paul Nicholls' superstar. Denman will likely see plenty of action as well and I predict the Kauto/Denman forecast to be the wager of the day. 
 

Imperial Commander almost got the better of Kauto late last year, and some still contend that the race should have been considered a dead-heat. I'm not sure if he can replicate that form again here, so the 7/1 price is too short for me against the quality on offer here. I also think Cooldine is underpriced. 

If there's anyone who's going to make a statement here it's Tricky Trickster. Another delegate from Paul Nicholls yard, he's taking a big step up in class here and the one thing I've always admired about this jumper (who I put in my tentofollow) is his energy in the final moment of a race. I like the 16/1 and I'm interested in a place bet on him and I can see his tote price being high. 
 

Carruthers isn't capable of winning this one so his 50/1 price is really just smoke and mirrors. Grand National winner Mon Mome is set to run here and trades at 150/1. That was is up to you, but a surprise third or fourth place would still pay quite well. My Will is also here at 100/1 and I just don't think he can handle the quality. Cerium and Mr Pointment are at 500/1 and if you're feeling cheeky why not place them both underneath Kauto in a forecast?

Kauto Star all the way here in the 3:20, with Denman second and Tricky Trickster completing your trifecta. 

I am all over Baby Run in the 4:00 Foxhunters Chase, I made money on him in his last run at Warwick and he looked like he had a lot more gas in the tank that day. He's 5/1 and looking quite sharp. 
 

In the 4:40 Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle, we have another field that looks a bit tough to clarify at the moment. It's a tricky puzzle with favourite Ashkazar not really inspiring any confidence from me. Jonjo O'Neill's 20/1 improver Born Again looks set to make a statement here and is 24312 in his debut season on hurdles- a very good each-way shout. C'est Ca at 10/1 is an okay bet for the win-only. 
 

In the final race of the Cheltenham Festival, the 5:15 Grand Annual Chase, I'm backing Tataniano and the very talented Tartak here. Tartak in particular has been lining up against the likes of Kauto Star and Kalahari King this year and acquitted himself fairly well under the circumstances. With the right trip, he's very dangerous at 12/1. I think Tataniano is a justifiable favourite and 7/1 price belies confidence in a jumper who hasn't finished outside the top 2 all season long.