War Of The Wolds Just Nine Weeks Away As Gold Cup Entries Announced!

The anticipated War of the Wolds showdown between Kauto Star and Denman took another step forward today, when entries for Cheltenham’s Gold Cup were announced.

In nine weeks’ time the definitive rematch between the Ditcheat duo will take place – as the two stars go head-to-head for Chasing’s Blue Riband at the home of National Hunt Racing.

William Hill make Kauto Star their 11-8 favourite for the Gold Cup, with stablemate Denman a 2-1 chance to reclaim the crown he first won in 2008.

Imperial Commander will bid to overcome his William Hill King George disappointment and notch-up his sixth Prestbury Park win in the Gold Cup. Hills make Imperial Commander their 7-2 favourite in the market without Paul Nicholls’ big guns, and 16-1 in the outright betting.

Kate Miller, spokeswoman for William Hill, said: ‘’Forget Arkle vs Mill House. This will be the greatest showdown Jumps racing has ever seen. Kauto Star and Denman are two leviathans of the game and all arguments will be settled once and for all when they clash in the War of the Wolds on Gold Cup day.’’

Hills have also opened a number of special bets on the Gold Cup. Amongst them, handicap match-bets between Kauto Star and Denman, and 4-1 that Racing is granted a grandstand finish with the pair being upsides at the last fence.

Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup: 11-8 Kauto Star, 2-1 Denman, 16-1 Imperial Commander, 20-1 Cooldine, 25-1 What A Friend, 40-1 Madison du Berlais, Money Trix, Notre Pere, 50-1 Carruthers, Glencove Marina, Tricky Trickster, 66-1 Air Force One, Albertas Run, Aran Concerto, Casey Jones, Cloudy Lane, In Compliance, Rare Bob, Schindlers Hunt, 100-1 Calgary Bay, My Will, Mon Mome, Roll Along, Taranis, Trabolgan, 250-1 Cerium, Mr Pointment ALL QUOTED (EW 1/4 1,2,3)

Gold Cup without Kauto Star & Denman: 7-2 Imperial Commander, 5-1 What A Friend, 6-1 Cooldine, 8-1 Money Trix, 10-1 Notre Pere, 12-1 Carruthers, Glencove Marina, Madison Du Berlais Tricky Trickster, 14-1 Albertas Run, Rare Bob, Schindlers Hunt, 16-1 Air Force One, Aran Concerto, Casey Jones, Cloudy Lane, In Compliance, 25-1 Calgary Bay, Mon Mome, My Will, Roll Along, Taranis, Trabolgan, 100-1 Cerium, Mr Pointment (EW 1/4 1,2,3)
WAR OF THE WOLDS – DENMAN VS KAUTO SPECIAL BETS

Handicaps

Scratch: 11/10 Denman vs 4/6 Kauto Star
+2 5/6 Denman (+2) vs 5/6 Kauto Star (-)
+4 4/6 Denman(+4) vs 11/10 Kauto Star (-)
+6 1/2 Denman(+6) vs 6/4 Kauto Star (-)
+8 2/5 Denman(+8) vs 7/4 Kauto Star (-)
+10 1/3 Denman(+10) vs 9/4 Kauto Star (-)

4/1 The pair to be upsides at the last (in the air together)
6/1 Denman to make all and win

9/2 Denman to lead after the last and not win
13/2 Kauto Star to lead after the last and not win

16/1 Kauto Star to win by last year’s winning distance of 13 lengths
2/1 Kauto Star to win by less than 13 lengths
6/1 Kauto Star to win by more than 13 lengths