Cheltenham Festival: Gold Cup early look

Punting on the Cheltenham Gold Cup on March 14 is like looking at one of those posters that is made up of thousands of dots. You look really hard, and then suddenly, the picture becomes clear and it is impossible to miss the image that has appeared. Cast your eye down the list of possible runners for March's big race and it is impossible to see any other animals other than Denman or Kauto Star carrying off Prestbury Park's Blue Riband. The bookmakers think so too. Paul Nicholls's fearsome duo take up around 75 per cent of the betting book at best prices. Would anyone really complain at the idea that the opposition has around a 25 per cent chance of winning this race, given the startling performances that these two have put in this season? Kauto Star has had his critics this season, but at Kempton on Boxing Day, you simply had to admire the majesty of his display when sweeping aside Our Vic by 11 lengths, and the formerly second-best chaser in the land, Exotic Dancer. Unlike last season's King George, where Kauto blundered horribly through the last fence, he sailed over the final obstacle with imperious ease. Anyone interested in the official ratings may have noticed that the handicapper put him up to a career-best 180 after that performance - a figure only Moscow Flyer has held since Desert Orchid was in his pomp. Kauto Star is so good at the moment, and at 6/5 with Sportingbet, there is nothing to dissuade punters from having their maximum bet on the eight-year-old superstar. Stablemate Denman put in a flashy performance in the Lexus Chase when routing the likes of The Listener and Mossbank, two days after Kauto's brilliant Christmas cracker, but there is a sneaking suspicion that the Irish test was not so difficult. Exotic Dancer and Our Vic's chances were put firmly in the shadow at Kempton on Boxing Day and it is five times now that Exotic Dancer has trailed behind Kauto's brilliance. With dour stayers such as Turpin Green, Take the Stand, Sir Rembrant, Harbour Pilot and Truckers Tavern all gritting their teeth and making the place money, it can often be worth scouring lower down the lists in search of some big-priced each-way thievery. Turpin Green is 66/1 with VCbet to go two places better than last year, but punters may also like to back Nicky Richards charge at just over 9/1 on Betfair to win the Gold Cup without Denman and Kauto Star. Some may fancy a wild punt on 2004 winner Kicking King. Tom Taafe's ten-year-old made a satisfactory comeback in heavy going at Gowran Park behind the useful Nickname and the romantics will be keen on the 14/1 on offer with Ladbrokes. At 66/1 though with Betfred, Knowhere looks the each-way longshot. He beat Our Vic by six lengths in the Letherby and Christopher Chase at Cheltenham and perhaps crucially for a race scheduled for mid-March, he has won on good going on more than one occasion. He is a decent jumper and could be just the sort to make the frame is what looks a tricky contest at this stage. Verdict: 5pts Kauto Star @ 6/5 (Sportingbet); 1pt each/way Knowhere @ 66/1 (Betfred) Click here for an early look at Cheltenham's Champion Hurdle 2008 betting market Click here for an early look at Cheltenham's Queen Mother Champion Chase 2008 betting market