Vegas Country

As the tapes go up to start the first race at the Cheltenham Festival a loud roar can be heard all round the race course. The pent up frustration at having to wait so long for the beginning of this, the most exciting jump racing festival in the world, gives way to the biggest cheer you will experience at any race course in the land. The Cheltenham Roar is traditional, and it seems that it gets louder every year and there is little doubt that the Cheltenham Festival 2011 will maintain the tradition.

Five days of top class jump racing lie ahead, with each day featuring something very special and coming to a climax with the Cheltenham Gold Cup which is just about the most prestigious National Hunt race on the calendar. The Gold Cup is just about the most analysed race too, and there is always considerable speculation regarding the potential winner.

This year is no different. The race was won by Kuato Star in 2007 and by Denman in 2008. Denman and Kuato star are stable mates and are both trained by Paul Nichols. Then in 2009 Kuato Star won the race again and in doing so made history, Several horses have won successive cups, bet never before has a horse lost the title and subsequently regained it.

As a result in 2010 there was much speculation regarding whether Kuato star would win again, or whether Denman would become the second horse to regain the title. All the talk was about these two horses and many punters unwisely dismissed the rest of the field.

The outcome was very different from the speculation. Denman fell four fences from home and Kuato Star flagged towards the finish coming a relatively poor second to Imperial Commander.

Many favour Kuato Star as the 2011 Champion, but perhaps it is time for a new champion to emerge. There are 34 entries for this year’s race, and several of these have in them what it takes. If you only bet on one race this year, then this is the one to bet on.