Cheltenham Gold Cup 2016 Betting Tips and Predictions

February 24, 2016 Thatsbettingtips Staff Cheltenham, Cheltenham Day 4, Gold Cup

Cheltenham Festival 2016 Gold Cup betting tips and predictions for the feature race of the whole meeting on Fridat 18^th March 2016.

The Blue Riband, the highlight of the week comes on the final day of the meeting on the Friday and this has all the hallmarks of a classic renewal, but who will win the 2016 Cheltenham Gold Cup?

Cheltenham Gold Cup Tips 2016

It's tight at the top of the market with Don Cossack and Vautour heading the betting. Cossack has proved himself at the top level and would have gone very close in the King George but for falling. He is 5/7 in Grade 1's right handed but only 1/6 in Grade 1's left handed including two defeats at Cheltenham so he makes limited appeal to me at the prices for my Cheltenham day 4 tips.

Vautour comes alive at Cheltenham in March, his JLT win from last season will live long in the memory but there is a huge difference between that contest and this over an extra six furlongs. He proved his stamina to a degree over three miles at Christmas with an agonising defeat in the King George and he is yet to finish outside the front two in his career but this is going to test his stamina more than ever before and doubts have to remain about its suitability.

Cue Card was the one to pick Vautour up in the King George and has plundered prizes at this meeting in the past. A flat three miles really plays to his high cruising speed and accurate jumping but whether he possesses the requisite stamina to get up the hill at the end of three and a quarter miles is a big question mark.

Djakadam was favourite for the race until he made a soft error on trials day in January. It certainly is far from the ideal prep for the defending runner up to come here off the back of a fall but given his performance in the contest last year and the fact he is still a lightly raced seven-year-old he certainly should not be discounted.

Don Poli very much fits the mould of a traditional Gold Cup winner, he is not flashy, does nothing quickly but he digs deep off the bridle and comes in boasting a perfect 2/2 record at the Cheltenham Festival. He was niggled along a fair way out in the RSA last year but he was back on the snaff turning for home and the further they went the better he looked. He may well get outpaced again but with suspect stayers in front of him up the hill he will have plenty to aim at to bring the best out of him, he could be the each-way bet for the 2016 Gold Cup.

Smad Place was an impressive winner of both the Hennessy and the Cotswold Chase this season and has looked a much improved type when able to get out in front and dominate. That is going to be far more difficult here but he has progressed enough to be given at least some each way consideration.

Overall it looks like one of the best renewals in history if they all line up. For my Cheltenham Gold Cup tip, preference is for Don Poli who fits the mould needed to win this race and who looks better the further he goes which is more than could be said for a couple ahead of him in the market with doubts about their stamina.

Cheltenham 2016 Gold Cup Betting Tip

Don Poli (each-way) – 6/1 with William Hill.

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