Gold Cup Trends - Age 7-9

In the last 10 Cheltenham Gold Cup races 9 have been won by horses aged between 7-9 years. It has been proven over and over again that horses of this age generally reach their peak, which is required for such a tough race. Last year's winner Kauto Star was a prime example of this at the age of 9.

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 10 winners of the Gold Cup have won at least 6 other major races previously.

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 Kauto Star won the Gold Cup in 2007, continuing to prove this trend is important.

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, 7 of the last 10 winners have had a starting price of 15/2 or shorter. Last year's winner Kauto Star was odds on favourite at the start of race.

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 10 Gold Cup's, 8 have been won by jockeys who have won at the festival previously. Last year's winning jockey Ruby Walsh had won at Cheltenham many times in the past.