Cheltenham Gold Cup Odds: Check out the latest prices for the Cheltenham Festival showpiece
It's set to be one of the most competitive Cheltenham Gold Cup renewals in recent times, and we take a look at the latest odds for the Cheltenham Festival showpiece, which is off at 15:30 on Friday afternoon...
Gordon Elliott's Galvin has propelled to the head of the betting for the 2022 Cheltenham Gold Cup, as last year's National Hunt Chase winner will attempt to emulate the legendary Native River by winning the staying novice chase before returning later in his career to claim Gold Cup glory. Last seen beating A Plus Tard in a thrilling finish to the Grade 1 Savills Chase at Leopardstown, the eight-year-old is around the 100/30 favourite with the bookmakers and the progressive eight-year-old is sure to prove popular among punters heading to Prestbury Park.
A gallant runner-up in last season's Gold Cup, A Plus Tard kicked off this season with a sensational performance in the Betfair Chase at Haydock Park, as he scooted clear of a decent field, but defeat to Galvin at Leopardstown has seen Henry De Bromhead's star drift in recent times, and he's now a best-priced 4/1 to claim his second Cheltenham Festival success.
De Bromhead saddled the first two home in last season's Gold Cup, and the winner that day was Minella Indo, who will bid for back-to-back wins in the blue riband event on March 18, and he's next in the betting at 5/1. Unable to find his best form this season, the former Albert Bartlett winner showed signs of getting back to top form when finishing second in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown, and a return to his favourite track, the De Bromhead raider has to be a major player.
Dan Skelton's Protektorat will be the spearhead of the British challenge and having finished a fine second in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham in November off top weight, the progressive seven-year-old then bounded to an emphatic victory in the Grade 2 Many Clouds Chase at Aintree. Now available at 8/1 for the Gold Cup, Protektorat will need to improve again to play a part in proceedings here, but he's going the right way and has to be respected.
Dual winner of the race Al Boum Photo will be one of three Willie Mullins-trained runners, and the 2019 and 2020 champion, who finished third in last year's renewal, is sure to put up a bold bid for victory, and is a 12/1 chance. Joining him at those odds is his stablemate Tornado Flyer, who was a shock winner of the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day, and he will be aiming to show that Christmas success was no fluke. Asterion Forlonge (25/1) has had a disappointing campaign, with his jumping frailties seeing his chances hit the deck on two occasions, and he will need to jump better to stand a chance here.
Proven mudlark Royale Pagaille (11/1) would've enjoyed seeing the heavens open at Prestbury Park on Wednesday and the Venetia Williams-trained raider, who finished sixth last year, warmed up for this event with a fine win in the Peter Marsh Chase before finishing second in the Denman Chase at Newbury, but this is much tougher.
A winner of the Marsh Novices' Chase last season, Chantry House was last seen producing a gutsy display to win the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham, but Nicky Henderson's 18/1 chance will need to improve, while former runner-up Santini (50/1) and dour stayer Aye Right (66/1) will complete the line-up in what is a fascinating betting heat.