After the thrilling Betfair Chase on Saturday it seems that the main two contenders for the Cheltenham Gold Cup are last season’s first two home, Kauto Star and Exotic Dancer. Kauto Star held off a late challenge from Exotic Dancer with Beef Or Salmon way back in third.

Katuo Star is now 2/1 from 5/2 with Sporting Bet but the biggest market mover was Exotic Dancer who is 7/1 from 10/1 with Paddy Power.

The biggest threat to their dominance seems to be Denman, the current second favourite for the Gold Cup and he should be making his seasonal debut at Newbury on Saturday in the Hennessey Gold Cup. When the final declarations have been made check back for the best bets in the race and for Cheltenham with market moves in mind.

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Last season’s Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Kauto Star will face six rivals as he bids to repeat last year’s Betfair Chase win at Haydock, the first leg of the Betfair Million.

Kauto Star is likely to win the race but is only around even money so isn’t really a betting proposition considering last month’s slightly lackluster reappearance. He should be all the better for that outing but if you fancy him consider backing him for either the King George at 6/4 with Sporting Bet, which takes place at Kempton on Boxing Day or for the Gold Cup at 5/2 with Sporting Bet as he still may have more improvement to come this season in terms of fitness.

My Way De Solzen is a 11/4 second favourite for the Betfair Chase with Totesport and can be backed generally at 8/1 for the Cheltenham Gold Cup. This is likely to prove the easier race of the two so consider backing him for this race rather than the Gold Cup itself.

Cheltenham Gold Cup second and third, Exotic Dancer and Turpin Green both re oppose Kauto Star but there is no reason to think they will reverse the form. The best trade of the weekend could be to back Exotic Dancer for the Gold Cup before the Betfair Chase as he is currently 10/1 for the big race with Paddy Power and William Hill and should improve greatly for his seasonal reappearance as he did last season. A good run here should see him shortened by at least a couple of points.

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Last year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, Kauto Star, could face My Way De Solzen and Cheltenham Gold Cup runner up Exotic Dancer in Saturday’s Betfair Chase at Haydock.

Paul Nicholls’ stable star is likely to be a warm order for the race despite the fact that regular pilot, Ruby Walsh, is on the sidelines following his injury on Saturday.

Later in the week when the full declarations have been made we will give you the best information on what to back for the race and more importantly, what to back for the Cheltenham Gold Cup with post race market moves in mind.

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Current Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite Kauto Star suffered defeat on his first start of the season, his first defeat since falling in the 2006 Champion Chase. Monet’s Garden beat last year’s Gold Cup winner by 1 1/2 length but the winner was in receipt of a full 14 lbs which means Kauto Star emerges as by far the best horse in the race.

Kauto Star was expected to come on for the run but didn’t travel as smoothly as usual and had to be pushed along at half way to keep up with his rivals. It is far too early to be writing him off and it will be interesting to see how he travels in his next outing.

Kauto Star remains the favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup and is a stand out price of 5/2 with Sportingbet.

The winner deserves plenty of credit as the trainer suggested he would not only improve for this outing but probably the next one as well. He has already proved himself an Aintree specialist with three wins at the course and is one to consider for the Grand National Festival rather than the Cheltenham Festival.

Last year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup runner up, Exotic Dancer, completely failed to run his race finishing 20 lengths behind the favourite. He has always needed his seasonal reappearance and much better can be expected next time out. He remains very much a challenger for Kauto Star’s crown and it should be noted that Paddy Power go 10/1 about him improving on last season’s second.

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