So, we may have left off back at Day 1, but let's skip ahead to the big one. 2014 was the year of the upset, as the race billed as a two-horse affair was won after a stewards inquiry by a 25/1 shot, with neither of the aforementioned two horses managing to place. What of next year? The betting markets are strong already, with shrewd punters keen to have themselves in a good position for Cheltenham's biggest event from a long way out.
At the top of the market is Bobs Worth 10/1, bidding to reclaim his 2013 crown. The horse is a serious trier and one who won't give up coming up that Cheltenham hill, but his form this season in my eyes has not been as strong as that of last year, nor have his performances been as eye-catching. One theory I heard was that the 2013 race, run in tough conditions, was a grueling affair for Nicky Henderson's stable figurehead, and may have taken a lot out of him. Admittedly, he had to fight up that hill to get in front, a lot for any horse, and he hasn't looked the same animal this year, but I'm not sure if I would put his loss down to a tough run. I would have to say that I think that age has caught up with last year's Cheltenham hero and he's definitely not a bet for next year, based both on his age and this season's form.
Lord Windermere (14/1 888Sport) follows Bobs Worth in the betting. This year's Gold Cup winner was given the lowest Timeform rating since Master Smudge in 1980, in which time only Best Mate has managed to retain the Gold Cup, so I wouldn't be backing Lord Windermere to do so at those odds.
Silviniaco Conti was this year's second favourite after falling at the third last in 2013. He ran a good race most of the way this year but couldn't keep a hold on it coming up the hill after the last, with the trio of Lord Windermere, On His Own and The Giant Bolster all travelling at a much quicker pace in the tough closing stages.
So where does the value lie in the 2015 ante-post markets? Luckily, there are two horses at relatively attractive odds which may be worth a small bet for the 2015 showpiece...
Firstly, from the yard of Willie Mullins, Champagne Fever (14/1 Bet365). The front-running grey was unbeaten at Cheltenham until coming second by a head in this year's Arkle to outsider Western Warhorse, having won the Champion Bumper in 2012 and the Supreme in 2013, beating, among others, Jezki and My Tent Or Yours in the latter. He had the class to hold off strong novice competition last year and backed up the form this year when it was time to go chasing. His trainer's record for under cooking his chasers may be a small concern, but not something I'd worry much about.
So, what can we take from his run in the Arkle? He jumped fantastically throughout, and ran a huge race for us to come to the conclusion that he needs a longer trip to really excel, and we could see something special when he does. His breeding would only give positive signs and he looked very comfortable when winning on his chasing debut at Punchestown over 2m 4f. All the indicators are that the plan is Gold Cup next year, with Ruby already commenting on how he's looking forward to riding him in the King George next Christmas if all goes to plan. King George to Gold Cup is a fairly natural progression, and it looks like that's the direction in which he'll be aimed.
Secondly, the horse which grabs my attention is this year's RSA winner O'Faolains Boy (16/1 Bet365). I first considered him on Friday night when I began to look at the 2015 festival and he was available at 33/1, but unfortunately since then his price has plummeted down to 16's at best. I would think that what caught most people's attention rather than the actual run in the RSA may have been Barry Geraghty's comments post-race. He claimed that O'Faolains Boy hadn't jumped well, never really traveled and is a lot better than he showed in the RSA. Those were hugely negtive comments from any jockey straight after winning a race at the festival, and it just shows how highly Geraghty thinks of the horse and how much he feels he must be capable of.
He has always been held in very high regard by trainer Rebecca Curtis and if reports that he tore a shoe of during the race are to be believed, he has to be a serious prospect for the 2015 Gold Cup.
With still another year and another season to go until the roar goes up around Prestbury Park and Britain crowns its best staying chaser, it remains to be seen what will become of these horses and indeed many of the other contenders by next season. Who knows, maybe by the time Gold Cup day comes around, Champagne Fever and O'Faolains Boy could be 100/1, or worse, non-runners, but that is the risk we take in ante post betting. But the dream of backing one of them at 16/1, only for it to win at odds-on - surely that's worth the risk?
As mentioned, Bet365 are at the time of writing offering the best odds on both of the two Gold Cup contenders mentioned. If you're interested in signing up for an account and receiving a free matched bet to the same amount as your first bet, please do so by clicking the following link:
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