Bobs Worth the one to Beat In Gold Cup

The Cheltenham Gold Cup is the feature race of the UK ad Ireland's National Hunt calendar and Friday's renewal of the race sees Bobs Worth bid to become the first back-to-back winner of the Grade One contest since Best Mate in 2004.

The Nicky Henderson trained reigning champion romped to a seven length success 12 months ago, after which he was immediately installed as the 4/1 favourite to follow up with another victory in this year's race. The nine-year-old's price has contracted ever since, particularly after he won the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown in December and following the news that the horse that finished runner up in last year's Gold Cup, Sir Des Champs, and long-time second favourite to land the £284,0000 first prize, was ruled out for the season.

However, Bobs Worth did prove that he is not unbeatable when he could only finish sixth on his seasonal reappearance in the Betfair Chase in November. Ahead of the Seven Barrows stable star that day were eventual winner Cue Card, who has also been ruled out of a Gold Cup bid due to injury and Silviniaco Conti, who finished third in the Haydock race before going on to win the King George Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day and it is the Paul Nicholls runner who bookmakers rate as the biggest danger to Bobs Worth at odds of 3/1.

Silviniaco Conti looked a real danger in last year's Gold Cup when he fell three fences from home and his victory in the King George showed he possess the ability to win a major Grade One event. However, the eight-year-old has never won at Cheltenham and compared to Bobs Worth, who is a perfect five from five at Prestbury Park, there's no doubting that the favourite tag is fully justified.

Last Instalment has emerged as Ireland's leading fancy to end an eight year wait for Gold Cup glory after War of Attrition was the last runner from the Emerald Isle to win the race for Mouse Morris and owner, Michael O'Leary. The same owner runs Last Instalment, who won the Irish Hennessy back in Feburary, since which, his odds to win the Cheltenham feature have collapsed from 40/1 in to the current price of 7/1. Brian O'Connell has been booked to ride the Philip Fenton trained nine-year-old and whilst he'll need to improve again, his record of five wins from six starts over fences suggest he rates a huge danger.

Michael O'Leary also runs First Lieutenant who is trained by Mouse Morris but the 10/1 shot is held on form with Last Instlament, who has emerged victorious by nine lengths and six lengths respectively on the two occasions that the pair have met.

Winner of the English Hennessy, Triolo D'Alene, has been subject to plenty of support since Nicky Henderson announced that he would be double handed in the race and the seven-year-old is now a best price of 12/1 having been available at odds of 25/1 just a couple of weeks ago before the announcement that champion jockey, AP McCoy, would take the ride on the young horse who arguably has a very bright future and even though this year's race may have come too soon, he has a bright future in the sport.

The Giant Bolster is another who has come in for support and the David Bridgewater trained runner can be backed at 16/1 and with a record of three wins over fences at Cheltenham, he cannot be ruled given his love for the Gloucestershire track.

On His Own (20/1) is the sole Willie Mullins entry as the County Carlow handler looks to end his search for a Gold Cup win but with the Grand National thought to be the horse's main target Friday's race may just be beyond him. The same can be said for the other Irish Raider, Lyreen Legend, from the Dessie Hughes stable and with no win in seven, the seven-year old's chances are reflected in his odds of 40/1.

Overall, Bobs Worth sets the clearly standard on last year's win and the fact that his never tasted defeat in five previous runs at Cheltenham. He'll make plenty of appeal to the big hitters at 13/8 but those looking for a bit more value will be clinging on to the hope that he can be beaten as they look to take on the Nicky Henderson runner with bigger priced alternatives.

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