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The Cheltenham Gold Cup is less than a month away and one of the two biggest horse races on the British calendar will take place on Friday, March 15. Last year’s winner Native River will attempt to run to glory for a second straight year. Native River’s chances of winning back to back Cheltenham Gold Cups are promising, but he will have to outrun a host of top Grade 1 horses. Horse racing fans can find great up to the minute odds on the Cheltenham Festival with William Hill and never miss a race at Prestbury Park.

Cheltenham Gold Cup: Presenting Percy sportsbooks’ favourite

York Press:

It was recently announced that Native River would bypass the Denman Chase and head straight to the Gold Cup. Collin Tizzard’s nine-year-old horse last ran on Boxing Day finishing third at Kempton. Race fans can get a great betting bonus at Totolotek (offer only available for Poland) ahead of the big race day. Following his win at Cheltenham last year, Native River was unable to win his two follow-up races.

Tizzard’s decision to skip the Denman Cup could come back to haunt him. Native River is currently the third favourite, according to leading sportsbooks. Meanwhile, Native River’s rival Presenting Percy is the ante-post betting favourite. 

Cheltenham Gold Cup: Clan Des Obeaux looks exciting

York Press:

Kelly could be influenced to race Presenting Percy at the Bobbyjo Chase due to rival Clan Des Obeaux’s recent performance at Ascot. Clan Des Obeaux won the Denman Chase defeating a field featuring three other horses. Presenting Percy was withdrawn from the race due to the low number of horses entered.

Now with a win under his belt, Clan Des Obeaux could be primed to take the Cheltenham Gold Cup over his rivals. Paul Nicholls’ horse goes into the race as the second favourite. Clan Des Obeaux has won his last two races and is one of the hottest horses heading to Prestbury Park.

Cheltenham Gold Cup: Mite Bite aiming for win in 2019

York Press:

Mite Bite finished runner-up in 2018 and will attempt to do one better this year. The Nicky Henderson trained horse didn’t run well to end last season. He finished fifth at Haydock in November and seventh at Kempton on Boxing Day.

It was a disappointing finish following his second in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and first at Aintree in April. Henderson’s horse underwent veterinary examinations following his disappointment in December. Poor health could play a part in Mite Bite’s performance at Cheltenham.

Noel Meade’s Road to Respect is on course for the Cheltenham Gold Cup as well. The eight-year-old finished second at Leopardstown in early February. Road to Respect last won in November at Down Royal and will hope to do better than last year’s fourth place finish at the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

With the current way the top contenders have been up and down in recent races, this year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup may be far more open than previous editions.