Betting without the big two in Gold Cup

Alan Magee

Published at Feb 16, 2012, 7:43

Quel Esprit, 9/2 without two in the Gold Cup betting
© Healy Racing Photos

Paddy Power have opened a market on the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup without the big two, Long Run and Kauto Star, and make course specialist Midnight Chase their 7/2 favourite.

Midnight Chase has already won five times at Prestbury Park including the Grade 2 Argento Chase last month.

Paddy Power bet: 7-2 Midnight Chase, 4 Grands Crus, 9-2 Quel Esprit, 11-2 Synchronised, Weird Al, 8 Burton Port, 10 Captain Chris, 12 What A Friend, 16 Diamond Harry, Tidal Bay, Time For Rupert, The Giant Bolster, 20 Carruthers, 25 China Rock, Medermit, Poquelin, 33 bar.

Power’s also rate the chances of all four 'big' defending champions - Hurricane Fly, Sizing Europe, Big Buck’s and Long Run - managing to do so again at this year’s Cheltenham Festival as an 18-1 chance, while it is a 16-1 shout that none do so.

How many of the big four champions will retain their Cheltenham crowns,

Paddy Power bet: 11-8 exactly two, 5-2 exactly one, 11-4 exactly three, 16-1 none, 18-1 all four.

About Alan Magee

Alan has worked in the racing industry for well over 30 years including with the Sporting Life, Turform and Irish Racing Services. He took up his current role as Irish Racing Team Leader with the Press Association in 2013. He has a keen interest in most sports and plays golf.

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