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Cheltenham Festival - bookies braced for Gold Cup frenzy: Kauto or Denman - find out who we are tipping
As the biggest betting week of the year reaches a climax, Britain's bookmakers are braced for the eagerly-anticipated third totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup showdown between Kauto Star and Denman today.
It is a race that could trigger nationwide betting turnover in excess of 40million.
Click here to find out who we are tipping for all today's races, including the big one
"The Gold Cup is second only to the Grand National when it comes to betting turnover, and the presence of two great champions in Kauto Star and Denman, ridden by two champion jockeys, means this year's renewal will be the biggest Gold Cup ever as far as we're concerned," said Coral's David Stevens.
It is an intriguing contest that has racing enthusiasts running for the formbook and spouting statistics.
Only Golden Miller, Cottage Rake, Arkle and Best Mate have ever won the Cheltenham Gold Cup three times, and all did it in consecutive seasons.
Kauto Star has already created his own unique piece of history by becoming the first horse to reclaim the prize 12 months ago, and another win for Ruby Walsh's mount would add yet more lustre to his legacy.
In between it was Denman's turn to win the prize, and the 2008 winner is now ridden by Walsh's friend and rival, the champion jockey Tony McCoy.
It is the two best horses - both trained by Paul Nicholls - and the two best jockeys fighting it out for the ultimate prize.
Having kept Kauto Star fresh since winning a fourth King George VI Chase in spectacular fashion at Kempton in December, Nicholls is feeling bullish again.
"It is impossible to say he is better than ever as it was such a wonderful performance at Kempton," said Nicholls.
"When he is fit he is lethal and there is nothing I can say to put anyone off him."
Denman's last appearance before Cheltenham did not go to plan as he left McCoy on the floor in the Aon Chase at Newbury last month.
"Denman did a very good piece of work at the weekend. The more you do and the more you drill him the better he gets," added Nicholls.
One of the few viable alternatives to the big two is Imperial Commander.
Nigel Twiston-Davies' nine-year-old only went down by a nose to Kauto Star in the Betfair Chase at Haydock in November, and returns to a course where he has won four times over fences after disappointing in Kempton's King George VI Chase.
"He's in really good nick and I'm very happy with him. He got within a whisker of beating Kauto Star at Haydock. I couldn't be happier and I'm really looking forward to it," the Naunton handler said.
But for most, this afternoon's battle will be a two-horse race.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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