Who will strike gold at Cheltenham?

In the most eagerly anticipated clash of modern times, Kauto Star can confirm himself a truly outstanding chaser by beating his stablemate, Denman, to retain the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup (3.30).

It is rare when a race is built up as a two-horse contest for those horses to end up fighting out the finish, but in this case Kauto Star and Denman do look the real deal. Both have outstanding win records — a hallmark of great horses — and both have already tasted success at the Festival, Kauto Star winning this 12 months ago, when Denman stormed home in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase.

There is little doubt that Kauto Star holds the superior form at this stage, but Denman, unbeaten in eight starts over fences, has never been seriously challenged and remains open to plenty of improvement. The key difference between the pair may prove to be Kauto Star’s ability to quicken.

Unbeaten in six starts last year, when signing off with an authoritative defeat of Exotic Dancer in this race, Kauto Star has had a slightly lighter campaign this time around. He looked rusty when narrowly beaten by Monet’s Garden on his reappearance at Aintree, although in fairness it was still top-class form as he was conceding a stone to the winner.

Kauto Star again failed to impress everyone when beating Exotic Dancer by just half a length in the Betfair Million at Haydock, but the really soft ground there would have blunted his speed, while he hit the front much earlier than ideal when putting in a brilliant leap five out.

His past two starts have seen Kauto Star return to his breathtaking best. He put in a flawless exhibition of jumping when powering clear of his rivals to land a second King George at Christmas and was again brilliant when trouncing Monet’s Garden at Ascot last time, despite hanging slightly left on the run-in. He returned from Ascot with pus in a foot, which was quickly sorted out, and Paul Nicholls, his trainer, reports him to be in rude health.

The ground yesterday was predominantly good to soft and, with only light rain forecast overnight, conditions should not be too testing. Kauto Star has jumped better than ever this season — there has been no repeat of the last-fence lapses of concentration that gave his supporters a fright last term — and given luck in running, he can complete a remarkable double for Clive Smith, his owner, to follow the brilliant display of Master Minded yesterday.

Denman, a relentless galloper, is a worthy opponent. He put up a terrific weight-carrying display in the Hennessy at Newbury in November, defying top weight in emphatic fashion, and has barely broken sweat in two subsequent starts, making most of the running in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown before completing his preparation with a bloodless win at Newbury. The only blemish on an otherwise flawless career came when runner-up to Nicanor over hurdles here two years ago and Denman is sure to make this a real test for his stablemate.

On ratings, Exotic Dancer is a genuine threat to the big two. However, he has finished behind Kauto Star on all five meetings and did not appear to be closing the gap when a tired third in the King George. On the plus side, he has a terrific record at this track, having never been out of the first three in seven attempts.

Anyone looking for a big-priced outsider who could sneak into the frame should consider Knowhere. Already twice a winner at Cheltenham this season, the form of his latest six-length defeat of Our Vic was given a boost when the runner-up landed the Ryanair Chase yesterday. He may have been slightly flattered there, as Our Vic’s stamina gave out in the closing stages, but it was still a smart performance, with Neptune Collonges five lengths back in third, and he is the each-way value at 33-1 with Coral and totesport.

Another who would welcome any softening of the ground is Halcon Genelardais. He has been given a break since failing by just a head to concede 21lb to the useful Miko De Beauchene in the Welsh National at Chepstow. That form gives him place claims, but he has yet to show his best in two tries at this track.

Franchoek, who is a similar type to last year’s winner, Katchit, will be hard to beat in the JCB Triumph Hurdle (2.15), while Theatre Girl will appreciate this stiffer test of stamina and can reverse recent form with Chomba Womba in the inaugural David Nicholson Mares Hurdle (12.30).

Mendo was a good winner under similar conditions here in November and rates good value at 22-1 with the sponsors for the Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (1.40), while Aigle D’Or recovered well from a last-flight mistake to win in good style from the useful Hold Em in January and can take the Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle (1.05).

Sir Alex Ferguson has already enjoyed plenty of success as an owner and could be celebrating a first Cheltenham success with What A Friend, who tackles the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (2.50). He stayed on strongly in the closing stages to snatch third behind Aigle D’Or here last time and promises to be well suited by this step up in trip.

The best bet of the day is Eagle’s Pass, who is available at a massive 40-1 with Ladbrokes for the Vincent O’Brien County Handicap Hurdle (5.20). He showed that he is suited by the hustle and bustle of a big field when third in the Galway Hurdle last August and subsequently showed improved form back on the Flat. Given a break over the winter, he comes here fresher than most and will have been sharpened up by a recent pipe-opener on the allweather at Dundalk, where he was not beaten far behind Harchibald. Still relatively unexposed, he can spring a surprise.