Gold Cup Trends

The £350,000 Cheltenham Gold Cup is the most valuable non-handicap chase in Britain. The Gold Cup has been running since 1924, so with a wealth of history its easy to identify some key trends from the past winners.

What type of horse wins a Cheltenham Gold Cup?

The Gold Cup Runners must complete a course which is over three and a quarter miles long, on undulating ground with strong fences and a stiff up-hill finish.

Past winners have confirmed that the Gold Cup is a tough race which can only be won by a high class horse. The trends show how to identify high class horses which are able to cope with and excel under these conditions.

THE 2009 GOLD CUP WINNER - ACCORDING TO TRENDS

DENMAN

Aged 7-9 - ten out of the last eleven Gold Cup winners have been in this age group

Proven winner in the conditions having won around Cheltenham three times including one 17 runner race.

Sure to be under 15/2 in the betting!

the last ten winners had run between six and thirteen times over chases.

Back Denman at 5/4 with Sportingbet

RECENT GOLD CUP TRENDS

Lets take a look at the winners of the race over the last ten races to see the recent trends which can help us find the 2009 Gold Cup winner.

AGE TRENDS

To win a Cheltenham Gold Cup a horse needs to be at its prime. Staying chasers tend to reach their prime between seven and nine years old.

10/11 winners were aged 7-9 years old

Last year Denman won at 7 years old!

MARKET TRENDS

In recent years those at the head of the Cheltenham Gold Cup betting have faired well. A horse good enough to win the race is likely to have already shown enough potential to warrant it starting at single figure Gold Cup odds.

8/11 were priced at 15/2 and under in the Gold Cup betting

Last year Denman won at 9/4!

EXPERIENCE TRENDS

A Gold Cup winner doesn't need a huge amount of chasing experience. Maybe its because their trainers know they have a horse with the ability to win a Gold Cup and don't want to risk racing them too often. Many top class chasers are fairly lightly raced.

10/10 had raced between six and 13 times over fences before landing their Cheltenham Gold Cup odds.

Last year Denman won having raced 8 times over fences!

PREVIOUS CHELTENHAM FORM TRENDS

The big fields, the fast pace and the unique course can cause many horses problems. You can have more confidence backing a horse at the festival who has already shown that they can handle the conditions and this is a huge Gold Cup trend. Look for a runner that has either fnished first or second in a festival race or has proven course form.

8/11 had either won or finished runner up at the festival before winning the Gold Cup.

Last year Denman won having previously won the Sun Alliance Chase the year before!

GOLD CUP TRENDS TIPS

When studying the Gold Cup betting it pays to side with a horse at the peak of their career. We are looking for a 7 - 9 year old who has shown, with previous Cheltenham form, that they can run well on the course and can cope with the fast pace and large fields.

Back Denman at 5/4 with Sportingbet

For other ways to identify this years winner, check out all the Gold Cup Tips.