The Cheltenham Gold Cup is widely regarded as the pinnacle of National Hunt racing. Held on the fourth and final day of the Festival meeting, the best thoroughbreds in horse racing will do battle for the most lucrative non-handicap prize in Great Britain.
Only the strongest horses aged five and over are allowed to enter and this is usually the race that attracts most betting attention. The showpiece race at the Cheltenham Festival, racing followers will be expecting another competitive affair at the 2021 meeting.
Native River got the better of Might Bite after an intense fight to claim victory in 2018 and the Colin Tizzard runner is prominent in the betting ahead of this year’s Festival. Can he win back-to-back Cheltenham Gold Cups? Only time will tell.
According to the history books, the first race known as the Cheltenham Gold Cup took place in July 1819 – however, that was a flat race. The first Gold Cup as a jumps race was held in March 1924 and it has been a regular on the National Hunt calendar ever since, missing only two years due to adverse weather conditions.
Golden Miller is the most successful horse in the history of the race, winning a record five Gold Cups in a row from 1932 to 1936. In addition, he was victorious in the Grand National at Aintree in 1934 – making him one of the greatest National Hunt competitors of all-time.
Paul Nicholls has trained four Gold Cup winners and Clan Des Obeaux will fly the flag for his stable this year. Although not worthy of the same legendary status as Kauto Star or Denman just yet, the 2018 King George VI Chase winner could flourish at the 2021 Festival.
A win for Nicholls will see him move level with Tom Dreaper for Cheltenham Gold Cup wins. Dreaper was lucky enough to train the great Arkle, a three-time winner, as well as Prince Regent and Fort Leney. He remains the most successful trainer in Gold Cup history.
Presenting Percy is the 3/1 ante post favourite ahead of the 2021 Cheltenham Festival but a disrupted preparation may hinder his chances of Gold Cup glory. Trained by Pat Kelly, he has yet to run over fences this season and that may tempt punters to look elsewhere.
Clan Des Obeaux is available at 4/1 and he ticks all the right boxes to win a Gold Cup. He was very strong at Kempton Park on Boxing Day, beating Native River and Thistlecrack – both of whom are entered for March’s Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Kemboy is a 9/1 chance to give Willie Mullins a first win in the race. One of the best trainers in horse racing, Mullins has a string of second placed runners on his resume but that first Gold Cup win continues to elude him. Will 2021 be his year?
Latest Cheltenham Gold Cup 2021 Betting Odds:
Without a doubt, the Gold Cup is the highlight of the Cheltenham Festival and horse racing followers will be hoping for an exciting renewal in 2021. Keep an eye on 888sport’s horse racing tips and odds ahead of March’s showpiece National Hunt meeting – previews on all of the biggest races will be available at the 888sport blog.
Punters will be looking at the latest Gold Cup betting information ahead of March’s big race and 888sport is definitely the place to be for all things Cheltenham Festival. With in-depth race previews on the four major race events, bettors will not be left wanting for Festival content in 2021.