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15th Mar 2012 | Cheltenham Festival

Gold Cup Tips: Knockara Beau

Crazier things have happened. Loves the track and could keep on for a place if kept away from the heat of battle.

My second selection for the Gold Cup (3.20 Cheltenham) might be enough to see me packed off to the funny farm but at 100/1 (William Hill) I think Knockara Beau has a chance to finish in the top three. Having to find 36lbs with Kauto Star on official ratings, I don’t hold out much hope of victory but he can certainly place.

Ruby Walsh has been making the running on Kauto Star this year to force Long Run into jumping errors, and that could see the Gold Cup run at a blistering gallop. Midnight Chase is an out and out front-runner, throw in Carruthers, China Rock and The Giant Bolster and there could be a tremendous pace.

Long Run is a class act but has looked below his best this season and I’m not tempted by the ‘second-tier’ horses in the betting either. Burton Port, Weird Al and Diamond Harry have all suffered from injuries in recent years and I’m not sure a blistering quick Gold Cup on good ground is what they want.

Apart from Kauto Star, this pretty much leaves the rank outsiders but they shouldn’t be written off just because of their price. Mon Mome finished third at 50/1 in 2010 as did Turpin Green at 40/1 in 2007.

The key with these horses is that connections know they can’t win a Gold Cup and therefore they are ridden more patiently with the aim of getting into the minor placings, where the prize money is still good.

Knockara Beau fits this exact profile. He was only beaten 13 lengths by Midnight Chase at Cheltenham in January - a race that Midnight Chase was allowed to dominate. That was the fourth time he has placed in nine visits to Cheltenham. He also flew home to finish fourth in the 2010 RSA Chase despite a scratchy round of jumping.

If his jockey rides the horse conservatively then he can roar up the hill as the battle weary favourites tire. At 100/1 (William Hill) he isn’t a forlorn each-way hope with ¼ odds for a top three finish.

*Best Odds Guaranteed – William Hill
Back Knockara Beau with William Hill as they are best price and offer Best Odds Guaranteed. If the starting price (SP) is bigger than the current price, you get paid at the bigger SP.

0.5pt Knockara Beau e/w 100/1 with William Hill
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Odds correct at time of publishing: 13:45 15th Mar, 2012 but subject to change

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