Cheltenham Gold Cup 2012 - Trial Races

The Gold Cup is quite simply the biggest race of the season as well as at the Cheltenham Festival and there is a tried and tested route for potential runners to take during the season. Gold Cup contenders tend to have two or three runs at the most before going to Cheltenham for the big race and punters are well advised to take note of the trial races before having a bet at the Festival in March.

Gold Cup Trial Races

Betfair Chase

The Betfair Chase is a great starting point for Gold Cup horses and is one that 2010 Gold Cup winner Imperial Commander has used for the past two seasons, the race at Haydock is a good chance for the runners to get a run in early in the season in November.

• 2011 Winner - Kauto Star

Hennessy Gold Cup

The Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury is one of the biggest handicap races of the season and is often an ideal preparation race for the Gold Cup, it is run each November and the big field always makes it a competitive race for punters to take advantage of. Denman has used the race to start his season for much of his career while Carruthers was the winner this season and was slashed in the Gold Cup Betting as a result.

• 2011 Winner - Carruthers

King George VI Chase

There is no doubt that the King George VI Chase is the most prestigious Gold Cup Trial race and falling at Christmas it is a massive race in its own right. Kauto Star has of course made the race his own winning it four times but he was dethroned by the younger Long Run this season who now goes straight to Cheltenham. The course at Kempton is a flat track so any horse that can win at Kempton and on the undulations at Cheltenham in the same season will always be considered the ultimate chaser.

• 2010 Winner - Long Run

Lexus Chase

The Lexus Chase is one of the big trial races in Ireland for the Cheltenham Gold Cup and it is run at Leopardstown each Christmas, there is always a good field for this one and always gives one or two Gold Cup clues. We have seen Pandorama claim the win for Noel Meade and he looks to be one to watch as we head towards the Festival in March.

• 2011 Winner -

Irish Hennessy Gold Cup

The Irish Hennessy Gold Cup is of course the equivalent of the Newbury version and offers the Irish contenders another chance to find their form before heading across the sea for the Cheltenham Gold Cup. The Irish Hennessy is run at Leopardstown in February and always attracts a good field as connections looks to get a good run into their horses.

• 2012 Winner -

Aon Chase

The Aon Chase is a vital Cheltenham Gold Cup Trial as it falls just a few short weeks before the big race in February, it is the last chance for those horses who need a tune up to get ready for the Festival. The Aon Chase is run at Newbury over 3 miles and has attracted some great fields over the years with perhaps Kauto Star in 2007 and Denman in 2008 the most famous winners of the race in recent times.

• 2012 Winner -