Horseracing latest: Cheltenham Festival - Day 4

There have been some magnificent Gold Cup winners in recent times, not least Best Mate, who managed to carry off racing's Blue Riband three times between 2002 and 2004. This time however, the winner of the Gold Cup will know that they have truly delivered as the sport's two superstars, Kauto Star and Denman, duel for the honour of being the best jumps horse in the world.

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Many will compare this title fight to boxers Muhammad Ali v Joe Frazier, as reigning champion Kauto Star is the flashier of the two, while Denman just likes to bulldoze his opposition into the turf.

Every facet has been analysed, and virtually no pundit in the land wants to split them. Money talks however, and punters make Kauto 1.7 in a match bet with his younger rival, who trades at 2.1

For what it is worth, I think Denman is over-rated. Kauto Star has consistently beaten the best in the land off level weights, and his only defeat this season was a weight-carrying performance against horses that were true Grade 1 class. Even then, Kauto managed to beat Exotic Dancer, who is the third favourite for the Gold Cup at 14/1.

Denman's victory in the Lexus Chase was against Mossbank and The Listener – two horses that couldn't win the Ryanair Chase yesterday. He then went on to beat Regal Heights in the Aon Chase at Newbury, a horse who subsequently was pulled up in the Racing Post Plate yesterday. Some point to the fact that Denman won by 20 lengths. Big Deal.

Some punters will tell you that betting odds-on is not for them. You give me 1.7 about world 100m record holder Asafa Powell against Tom Cruise over any distance and I'd bite your arm off. It's all about percentages, and Kauto Star looks great value to see off his younger rival.

Kauto Star should win the Gold Cup, but sport is unscripted theatre, and some punters may be forgiven for thinking that as all the attention has been on the front two, something could well have snuck under the radar at a big price. Horses such as Turpin Green, Take The Stand, Sir Rembrandt, Truckers Tavern and Harbour Pilot have all made the frame in the Gold Cup at massive prices in the last eight years. 

Irish raider Afistfullofdollars may well fit that profile having never been out of the first three in his 12 career runs and currently at 4/1 for a place he looks value.

The big betting heat of the day is the Coral Cup in which County Zen looks to have much the best prospects of victory. He really should have been favourite before Leg Spinner defected, and the bookmakers have shortened him up to joint favouritism now. At 7/1 he looks a decent wager after his third in the Ladbroke Trophy.

Verdict: 1pt Afistfullofdollars @ 4.4 or bigger; 5pts Kauto Star @ 11/10; 1pt County Zen @ 7/1

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