The jewel in the crown of the Cheltenham Festival – the Gold Cup – starts this afternoon at 3.20. And, unsurprisingly, today is also one of the biggest betting days of the year, with both bookies and punters hoping to recoup their losses – or improve on their winnings. We asked some of our experts who they will be putting their money on.
Peter Oborne, The Spectator’s associate editor:
Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh is the combination to follow at this festival, on which basis I will be backing On His Own at decent odds of around 20-1.
Robin Oakley, writer of The Turf column:
I am going for Triolo D’Alene.
Alysen Miller, producer of CNN’s racing programme, Winning Post:
On paper Bobs Worth is the one to beat. But I personally wouldn’t rule out Silviniaco Conti; he was very unlucky to fall in this race last year when travelling well and he takes his victory in the King George into this year’s race. A popular each way will be The Giant Bolster, who has been known to sneak a place at good odds.
Freddy Gray, The Spectator’s managing editor, who writes The Speculator column:
I’m going for Last Instalment to win. The Last shall be first.
Personally, I’ve gone each way on On His Own – though now Ruby Walsh has sadly had to give up his ride due to a broken arm, it’ll be interesting to see how he goes with Paul Townend on board. And I’ve also put some on Teaforthree, for the very logical (?) reason that I’ve won money on him before.
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