This tip has expired. Please check our free horse racing tips section of the website to find the most up to date.
3.30 Cheltenham Gold Cup
Friday 13 March | Age: 5yo+ | Prize: £625,000
The Cheltenham Gold Cup is the highlight of the Cheltenham Festival and the most prestigious race of the entire Jumps season. It takes place each year on the final day of the Cheltenham Festival in March.
THE big race of the week and the pinnacle of jumps racing for many is the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
It’s so hard to win and you don’t get many multiple winners of the race. Even the best staying chasers struggle to stay up the Cheltenham him after a pacy 3 miles 2 furlongs.
The top horses in the market can all have a case made for them.
Al Boum Photo is the previous winner, Delta Work is so consistent and classy as a chaser and is a previous festival winner and Santini has shaped like a solid staying chaser. They all have claims and I can write any of them off but there is only one boy I want to be with for this.
I think the 2020 Gold Cup is going to be won by PRESENTING PERCY, one year on from his disappointment as favourite for the race.
He was found to be lame that day and his prep was awful so I think we can write that off. His form this season has been better and he just hasn’t been finishing off his races.
I am hoping that is because he is being saved for the big day by connections. He is a huge price at 12-1 given his previous Cheltenham Festival exploits and he will hopefully be carrying my money to victory up the hill.
There might be money for him late on with emotional support from idiots like me so get on early. Betfair and Paddy are offering 4 places and are 12-1 so that will do nicely.
Go on Percy!!!
Recommended bet
- Presenting Percy ew 12-1 (Paddy Power)
In a wide-open Magners Gold Cup, SANTINI (3.30) can dig into his deep reservoir of stamina to ward off reigning champ Al Boum Photo.
The eight-year-old was narrowly denied in last year’s RSA Chase won by Topofthegame, and Santini jumped impeccably back at Cheltenham last time when landing the Cotswolds Chase.
Al Boum Photo has had his ideal prep for steeple-chasing’s blue riband, scoring with plenty in hand at Tramore on New Year’s Day, and seems certain to make a bold attempt to emulate Best Mate and win back-to-back renewals.
Delta Work bolsters Ireland’s formidable assault and he pinged back to his very best when landing the Savills Chase and Irish Gold Cup.
Kemboy is well held on that form and hasn’t impressed with his jumping.
Clan des Obeaux goes well fresh and was superb in landing the King George at Kempton. Paul Nicholls has been at pains to give him an easier build-up after only a fair fifth last year.
Recommended bet
- Santini 9-2 (Bet365)
I've changed my mind on this several time over the last few months. I originally was in the Al Boum Photo camp, as he won this race last year with no fuss whatsoever and he's been campaigned the same way this year, so he must have a great chance of retaining his crown.
But after thinking about it, I don't think the race he won last year was a vintage renewal and he could've been flattered by his win, as Kemboy departed very early on and when they both met again at Punchestown, Kemboy beat him by 2 lengths.
As for Kemboy, this season his jumping has let him down massively, and that's a big enough reason for me to not back him. He's been beat by Delta Work two times this season, and I can't see him reversing that form.
I then thought Delta Work was the horse for me, but he eventually got outstayed in the RSA last year and the Gold Cup is 2f longer than the RSA so I'm siding with SANTINI who will definitely see out the trip.
Months ago I thought he had no chance, and I thought his jumping was shocking, but I've since watched the Cotswold Chase back and his jumping was on point for 95% of the race.
He arrives at Cheltenham in good form, and will be nice and fresh for this race, and there's no doubting his stamina. If his jumping holds out then he's got a cracking chance.
Recommended bet
- Santini EW 9-2 (Bet365)
ITV Racing 4/1 Offer at Bet365
Back a winner at 4/1 or more and get a risk free bet on the next live ITV race (up to £50).
Only available to new and eligible customers. Bet restrictions and T&Cs apply.
Bet365 – £100 in Free Bet Credits
Simply open a new account, make you first deposit and Bet365 will match that deposit with up to £100 in bet credits.
Open Account Offer. Up to £100 in Bet Credits for new customers at bet365. Min deposit £5 and 1x settled bet requirement to release Bet Credits. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.
888Sport – Bet £10 Get 40
Use promo code: RACING to claim £40 in Free Bets at 888sport when you open a new account and place a first bet of £10.
New customers only – £10 deposit using promo code “RACING” – First bet must be placed on any market – Minimum stake £10 at odds of 1/2 (1.5) – Free bets credited upon qualifying bet settlement and expire after 7 days – Free bet stakes not included in returns – Deposit balance is available for withdrawal at any time. General deposit method & withdrawal restrictions apply & Full T&C’s apply.
Paddy Power – Bet £20 Get £5 for Each Race
Place a £/€20 sports bet on the first race at 13:30 (Supreme Novices' Hurdle) Tuesday, 10th of March. Get a £/€5 free bet for every other race on the card.
Place a single £20 (or £10 e/w) Sports bet on the first race Cheltenham
Tuesday 10th March and get a £5 free bet for each of the subsequent
races on the Card.. Deposits using Cards, ApplePay or PayPal only. Free
bets are only valid for the specified race and are awarded when the
qualifying bet has been settled. Free bet stakes not returned with
winnings. T&Cs Apply.
BetVictor – Bet £10 Get £50 + 50 Free Spins
Place your first bet of £10 or more at odds of evens (2.00) or greater and get £30 in Sports Free Bets, a £20 Casino Bonus + 50 Free Spins.
New Customers, register and place your first bet of £10 or more at odds of evens (2.00) or greater; excludes cashed out bets. Get £30 in Free Bets, plus a £20 Casino Bonus, wager 40x to withdraw winning 7 day expiry and 50 free spins on Scudamore’s Super stakes 3 day expiry. Offer Valid 10:00GMT Monday 2nd March 2020 until 23:59GMT Friday 13th March 2020. Credit/Debit Card deposits only. Geographical Restrictions and T&C's Apply. Please Gamble Responsibly.
Unibet – Bet £10 Get £50
Bet £10 on Cheltenham and get £50 worth of free bets (which includes a £10 Casino Bonus) at Unibet.
New customers only. 18+, BeGambleAware.org. Min deposit £10. £40 Racing Bonus. £10 Casino Bonus. Once your £10 qualifying Cheltenham bet is settled your £40 Racing bonus will then be triggered. Wagering requirements: Racing 1x, odds of 2.00 minimum (1/1) for each bet placed. £10 Casino Bonus, 35x. Only one bonus can be used at a time. Racing bonus must be wagered before using the Casino bonus, unless the Racing bonus has been forfeited. Bonus will expire after 7 days of opt-in.
Ladbrokes – Get £20 in Free bets when You Bet £5
Use promo code: 20FREE to claim £20 in Free Bets when you open a new account and bet £5 at Ladbrokes.
18+ Eligible UK+IRE players. Paypal & some deposit & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. No cashout, restrictions + T&Cs apply.
William Hill – Bet £5 Get £10
Bet £5 to claim a £10 Free Bets at William Hill when you open a new account and place a first bet.
New online customers only, min £5/€5 stake, win only, min odds 1/2, free bets paid as 2 X £5/€5, 30 day expiry, free bet/payment method/player/country restrictions apply. See full terms below.
SBK – Deposit £20 Get £20 Risk-Free
Grab a £20 risk-free bet on the brand new betting app from SBK. They'll give a £20 risk-free bet when you open a new account and deposit £20.
New customers only. Deposit £20 by card. Trustly or bank transfer only, for a refund of your first £20 of losses. T&Cs apply. 18+. BeGambleAware.org
Mansionbet – Up to £50 Welcome Bonus
New customers can claim up to £50 as a welcome bonus at Mansionbet.
New customers only. Min Deposit £10. Deposit & bonus amount must be wagered 6 times (min odds 4/5) prior to withdrawing bonus funds and any winnings. Wins from real money bets withdrawable at any time. Bonus on sports betting only. T&Cs apply.
William Hill Grand National Offers – Bet £10, Get £10
Grab your William Hill Grand National offer for 2024. The National Festival runs from Thursday, April 11 to Saturday, April 13. New sign-ups to the site can get a great William Hill Grand National bet offer to use during Aintree’s biggest meeting. Bet £10, Get £10 in bonuses as part of the William Hill Grand National promotion. 18+. Play Safe. […]
Bet365 Grand National Offers – Use Bonus Code ‘MFT365' 2024
The Aintree-based race brings jockeys, horses, and fans worldwide to Liverpool every April and has been a staple on the horse racing calendar for over 180 years. Over half a billion pounds worth of bets are placed on the Grand National, and Bet365 advertises itself as the world’s biggest sportsbook, so it’s a real case of worlds colliding—it can be […]
In December 2020 we sadly 
