2013 Cheltenham Gold Cup

It's almost upon us the blue ribbon of steeplechasing the Cheltenham Gold Cup the highlight of day 4 of the extravaganza which is the greatest show on turf the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Bobs Worth is a worthy favourite with his formidable record of 4/4 around Cheltenham and if bringing his A game to the table tomorrow he is the one to beat thou there is a nagging doubt that has hasn't run since his impressive win in the the Hennessy back at the beginning of December while his main rivals have all had recent warm ups with Sir Des Champs from the red hot Willie Mullins stable steadily being bought to the boil after three runs this season which has resulted in a improved performance every time with his most recent run being when taking the Irish Hennessy at Leopardstown and with two previous wins at the Festival he looks like Willie Mullins best chance yet of saddling a Gold Cup winner.
2011 winner Long Run is back after finishing 3rd last year and on his most recent outing he won a gruelling King George snatching victory from the jaws of defeat from Captain Chris of who he will renewal his rivalry with here and in first time cheek pieces he should make a bold effort to reclaim his crown.
Paul Nicholls for the 1st time since 2006 has no Kauto Star or Denman to rely on but in the shape of Silviniaco Conti he has a most progressive young chaser who despite lacking the experience around Cheltenham he has won all three of his starts this season most notably the Betfair Chase when defeating Long Run and and last years Gold Cup runner up The Giant Bolster who will bid to go one better than when runner up last year, but with Ruby Walsh in the saddle Paul Nicholls sole runner this year must have a good chance of giving the champion trainer his 5th success in the race.

It's a wide open renewal but with rain forecast it could become a real slog which would bring Long Runs stamina into play but the rain holds off then i believe it will be between Bobs Worth and Sir Des Champs with possibly Bobs Worth maintaining his unbeaten record around Cheltenham.