Over the course of the Cheltenham Gold Cup the horses and riders must face a total of 22 fences and clearing them can prove to be particularly tricky in the heat of the moment. The Cheltenham Gold Cup has roots dating back to before even the Grand National came to public attention. Betting on the Cheltenham Gold Cup is always a popular event and with national coverage you do not even have to go to get involved with the excitement.

There are twelve horses running in the event this year, with each required to be over 5 years of age. Last year's winner Kauto Star is back again and still the bookies favourite with odds currently offered of 7/4 for another win. Kauto Star would have been a good bet in both 2007 and 2009, though 2008's winner Denman is also in the running this year with odds of 6/1 available. Kauto Star is in fact the first horse ever to regain the cup after losing it. It is also interesting that Denman and Kauto Star are actually trained by the same man; Paul Nicholls. For him the 2010 Cheltenham Gold Cup seems to be a sure fire win whichever way the coin falls.

Hopefully things will be made slightly more interesting by the third favourite horse, Cooldine. Odds of 7/1 place it just behind Denman in terms of bookie confidence and there is always the chance of an upset rewriting the history books once more in 2010. If you are a slightly more extravagant gambler you could go for the less likely horses, with the appropriately named Niche Market currently running with odds of 33/1.