Does the 2010 Gold Cup betting revolve around one horse? If Kauto Star retains the majority of his form this season will he record his third win in the race?

Is that how you see the blue ribbon of steeplechasing panning out this season or do you think that the Paul Nicholls’ ten year old has got his work cut out fending off the youngsters? Has his narrowest of victories over Imperial Commander on his reappearance at Haydock made you even more convinced of a Kauto Star Gold Cup treble or are you now scrambling through the ante-post market looking for a viable alternative to the Champion?

What about the other gold cup runners? Now Denman has won his second Hennessy can he regain the Gold Cup? Will Cooldine blossom from Novice champ to Gold Cup king? Will Imperial Commander see out the trip as impressively at Cheltenham as he did at Haydock?

Or is there something else lurking in the depths of the ante-post market that will spring up to become Kauto’s biggest challenger?

Let us know your gold cup tips for the Cheltenham Gold Cup 2010.

Winner of the Queen Mother Champion Chase in 2008 and 2009, Paul Nicholls’ Master Minded remains favourite in the cheltenham betting lists to record a hat-trick of wins in 2010 despite suffering defeat on his seasonal reappearance in the Connaught Chase at Cheltenham.

No horse has achieved a hat-trick of wins in the Champion Chase since Badsworth Boy in 1983-85 and there will surely be plenty of people looking to oppose the current champion after his reappearance where he appeared to hang to his right and finished in close proximity to two horses rated 20lb+ inferior to him.

If Master Minded is not your ante-post selection for the 2010 Queen Mother then the race appears wide open for any number of potential new champions. Second season chasers Forpadytheplasterer and Kalahari King must come into the equation as must established stars such as Well Chief and possibly even former champ Voy Por Ustedes who could return to the minimum distance if it appears there is a chink in Master Minded’s armour.

Twist Magic’s excellent performance in winning the Tingle Creek has seen his price for the Queen Mother evaporate but surely he has shown his dislike for Cheltenham on anough occasions to be seen as eminently opposable at single figure odds? What do you think?

A fascinating run-up to the race looks certain – let us know who your cheltenham tips for the Queen Mother Champion Chase 2010.