Key Betting Questions That Need Answering Before the 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup

The dawn of the New Year brings the imminent arrival of the Cheltenham Festival. As ever, Cheltenham is the jewel in the crown of the horse racing calendar, and the Gold Cup is the golden ticket for trainers, owners, jockeys and spectators. The excitement brings attention, and the attention encourages questions, many of which need answering before the blue-ribboned event in March.

While it appears as if Al Boum Photo is the clear favourite, there’s no doubt that pundits and fans are looking to other horses to take the finishing line up the gruelling Cheltenham hill. With that in mind, here is a selection of factors to consider before placing your final bet.

Should You Look Past Al Boum Photo?

After winning back-to-back Gold Cups, Al Boum Photo declared that he was one of the greatest stayers ever, and the legendary Cheltenham gelding is set to make it three in a row if he wins this year. According to the bookmakers, ABP has a 22% chance of taking the glory, with the next closest rivals – Minella Indo and Santini – having a 9% percentage. A triumphant return to form at Tramore, winning by 19 lengths, only strengthens the Irish-French horse’s claim to victory, and of all the Cheltenham results possible this year, punters would be shocked if he didn’t manage to pull it out of the bag for the third time.

Is Last Year’s Form Any Good?  

It’s hard to question the reigning champion, particularly as he has overcome pretty much every obstacle in his glittering career. Still, if there is one area pundits feel Al Boum Photo is weak, it’s in the 2020 Gold Cup form. The analysis shows that the only horse who competed in the 2020 edition to have won since last March, barring Al Boum Photo, is Bristol De Mai. BDM won at Haydock in the Betfair Chase. However, he is a track specialist having won the race two times previously and was considered somewhat of an outsider compared to Lostintranslation and Clan des Obeaux. As a result, the form isn’t solid, which is a fly in the ointment since the first four were separated by a length and a half in 2020. That leaves plenty of room for improvement.

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Are There Any More Pre-Gold Cup Clues?

Although the best horse on the day wins, there are feature races that seem to throw up hints at who will be victorious in the Gold Cup. With that in mind, it’s well worth keeping an eye on the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham on January 30 as it will feature Gold Entry participant, Champ, and a strong field that includes Native River, Bristol De Mai, Lake View Lad and The Conditional. Santini is due to appear at the Newbury Denman Chase in mid-February, while the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown could be very informative, too.

The only way to reveal all is to tune-in on Cheltenham Gold Cup day as that is when the questions will finally stop. Roll on March!

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