2009 Cheltenham Gold Cup Runners

CHELTENHAM, UNITED KINGDOM - DECEMBER 10: Exotic Dancer ridden by Tony McCoy (4) jumps the fence on his way to winning the Cheltenham Novices Steeple Chase during the race meeting at Cheltenham Racecourse on December 10, 2005 in Cheltenham, England. (Photo by Tom Shaw/Getty Images)

The final field for the 2009 Cheltenham Gold Cup will be confirmed as the event approaches. Here are some of the likely Cheltenham Gold Cup runners that have already picked up important winners on Cheltenham Racecourse.

Exotic Dancer

Exotic Dancer was the runner-up in the 2007 Cheltenham Gold Cup, losing to Kauto Star by 2½ lengths in an entertaining race. The racehorse will be looking to 2009 to make amends and prove why he is such a highly rated racehorse over fences. At present Exotic Dancer has won 5 out of 11 steeplechase starts, losing out on a placed finish in only one race.

Exotic Dancer’s record at Cheltenham also suggests that this horse will be a serious threat at the 2009 Cheltenham Gold Cup. He has finished placed in 7 out of 8 starts at Cheltenham Racecourse with 4 wins. Long distance races are of no concern to Exotic Dancer either, and the 2009 Cheltenham Gold Cup runner has won 2 out 3 races over distances longer than 3 miles.

Cornish Rebel

Cornish Rebel’s 12th place finish at the 2007 Cheltenham Gold Cup did no honour to this racehorse’s class and ability to succeed at the highest levels of National Hunt racing. Cornish Rebel started his career with a short stint of hurdle racing where he achieved a better than 50% win record. His form was ably carried into steeplechases, and he has amassed an impressive record of 9 placed finished from 16 starts, including 4 wins.

Cornish Rebel has a good record at Cheltenham Racecourse, having achieved 2 wins and 2 third place finishes in 8 starts. Almost half of his placed finishes have been accomplished in races that ranged over 3 miles or longer. With this sort of stamina, the Cheltenham Gold Cup runner has a good chance of pushing for the title in 2009.

Back In Front

Back In Front is another hurdler turned chaser who has what it takes to make an impression at the 2009 Cheltenham Gold Cup. In his short steeplechase career Back In Front has a record of 1 out of 3 wins in his 6 races.

Crucially, three of Back In Front’s victories have come at Cheltenham Racecourse. The 2009 Cheltenham Gold Cup runner also has the necessary stamina to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup, having already won one race over 3 miles.

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