Cheltenham Gold Cup Trends
When choosing your bets for the Cheltenham Gold Cup it is important you look into the Cheltenham Gold Cup trends before making your selections. The reason why it is so important is because horse that have won this prestigious race will normally have a number of attributes similar to other Cheltenham Gold Cup winners. By selecting horses that show these 'trends' you are more likely to win money from your bets on this famous three and a quarter mile course. The following Cheltenham Gold Cup trends are what you should look for in horses you wish to bet on:
- Horses aged between 7-9 years old
- Horses that have won at least 6 jump races in their career
- Horses that have won races at Cheltenham before
- A starting price of 15/2 or less
- Horses ridden by a jockey who has won at Cheltenham
Cheltenham Gold Cup Trends Explained:
Cheltenham Gold Cup Trends - Age 7-9
In the last 11 Cheltenham Gold Cup races 11 have been won by horses aged between 7-9 years. The last winner outside this age bracket was Cool Dawn (10) in 1998.It has been proven over and over again that horses of this age generally in their prime, which is required for an endurance race like the Gold cup. Last year's winner Imperial Commander was a great example of this, at the age of 9 years old.
Cheltenham Gold Cup Trends - Won 6 jump races
Although most Gold Cup winners are usually lightly raced, they will normally have won at least 6 National Hunt jump races before taking the big prize. The money and prestige on offer from the Gold Cup means that certain horses are trained just for this event, but will need to have had the experience of winning before to do well. The stats show that the last 12 winners of the Gold Cup have won at least 6 other major races previously.
Cheltenham Gold Cup Trends - Won at Cheltenham before
Cheltenham's undulating course has baffled even the most seasoned horses in the past. Many get caught out by the sprint uphill at the finish or the testing final fences. Horses that have won at Cheltenham in the past generally perform better in the Gold Cup. Last year's winner Imperial Commander has an emphatic record at Cheltenham, having won the Ryanair Chase and Paddy Power Gold Cup amongst other wins on this course.
Cheltenham Gold Cup Trends - Odds shorter than 15/2
The high profile nature of the Cheltenham Gold Cup means that every horses potential has been closely studied and analysed. Therefore the betting markets are a very good indicator of the potential winner. In recent times, 9 of the last 12 winners have had a starting price of 15/2 or shorter. Last year's winner Imperial Commander just made it inside this price at 7/1 SP.
Cheltenham Gold Cup Trends - Jockey won at Cheltenham before
The nature of the course at Cheltenham requires a skilled jockey with previous experience of winning at Cheltenham. Although the jumps are not the most challenging, the course is tough and unforgiving. Timing is critical and this plays into the hands of jockeys that have won before. In the last 12 Gold Cup's, 10 have been won by jockeys who have won at Cheltenham before, with Paddy Brennan being no exception. He rode Imperial Commander to victory in 2010, but had won at Cheltenham in the Grade 1 World Hurdle in 2007.
Now that the Cheltenham Gold Cup trends have been established, it is now possible to narrow down a potential winner. Check our Cheltenham Gold Cup Tips page to see who we have made as our picks for the big race. If you are planning on having a wager on this year's Cheltenham Gold Cup then have a look through our Cheltenham Gold Cup free bets page. Here you will be able to get extra money, by clicking the links through to bookmakers with special offers.