2012 Bet365 Gold Cup Betting Tips and Bonus Part One

 We've got a cracking field of 20, many coming directly out of the Grand National at Aintree, to tackle the latest iteration of the Bet365 Gold Cup. The longer distance chase isn't quite the testing encounter that the National is but it remains a serious kingmaker with a hefty purse up for grabs at the business-end of the season.

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A number of talented contenders are set to contest this one with Tidal Bay going in as the top weight, representing the Paul Nicholls yard. Winless this season, the eleven-year-old son of Flemensfirth faces a tricky handicap here but will be under the confident guidance of Daryl Jacob.

Punters will find Tidal Bay trading in the neighbourhood of 8/1.

Le Beau Bai is currently listed as the betting choice and he's nicely weighted – a full stone lower than Tidal Bay. Unraced at Cheltenham this season and only on track once in 2012, he looks to have been pointed towards this one for a while. Earlier in December he put together a great run, disposing of two larger fields (one of 20 and one of 14) at Chepstow. He delivered at a 10/1 price tag each time.

His loss in February came over heavy going and you probably want to toss that one out.

6/1 remains a bit lean for a betting favourite facing off against 19 others but he is certainly in the reckoning.

One horse certain to take a substantial sum is West End Rocker, who drew a lot of attention going into the Grand National before falling relatively early. He came out of the race fine and, since he went down at one of the first fences, he's still fresh and ready to go. Alan King knows this is a talented horse but, having a look at his recent record, he just seems a bit unlucky.

He is a co-second choice with Galaxy Rock, both listed at 7/1, and I expect him to take a lot of money on Saturday.