2009 Cheltenham Gold Cup RunnersKEMPTON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 28: Richard Johnson looks around for non-existant dangers as he brings Monkerhostin home to land The betfair.com Rendlesham Novices Hurdle Race run at Kempton Racecourse on February 28, 2004 in Kempton, England. (Photo by Julian Herbert/Getty Images)

With the final field for the 2009 Cheltenham Gold Cup yet to be confirmed Cheltenham Gold Cup odds are at their highest. Here are some more possible Cheltenham Gold Cup runners with experience of winning on Cheltenham’s challenging racecourse.

Monkerhostin

Monkerhostin is a French-bred racehorse with all the experience needed to make an impression on the 2009 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Monkerhostin is no stranger to Cheltenham Festival’s biggest event and managed a fourth place finish in the 2007 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Monkerhostin started his career with a string of wins over hurdles before moving to chases where he has achieved 4 wins from 23 starts with another 8 placed finishes.

What makes Monkerhostin a genuine contender for Cheltenham Gold Cup glory is his experience over longer courses, having run 8 races over 3 miles or more. Cheltenham Racecourse is without a doubt Monkerhostin’s favourite place to run, with 7 placed finishes in 10 starts including 2 wins.

Fundamentalist

Fundamentalist moved from a short but successful career over hurdles into steeplechases in the winter of 2004. Since then he has proved himself to be a more than capable chaser, winning 2 out of 12 starts with another 2 second place finishes.

Whilst recent form does not suggest that Fundamentalist has what it takes to win a Cheltenham Gold Cup, he does appear to have the ability to claim a placed finish. His record at Cheltenham Racecourse is excellent with 2 wins taken in 6 races at Prestbury Park. The 2009 Cheltenham Gold Cup runner’s record also shows that he has the stamina to handle longer races having claimed a win and a second placed finish over distances greater than 3 miles.

Kingscliff

Kingscliff is one of the 2009 Cheltenham Gold Cup runners that may come in under the radar. The horse looks to be a future champion, and was blooded in steeplechases without the benefit of a couple of seasons over hurdles. Kingscliff has an excellent record of 5 wins from 16 starts, including another 5 second place finishes.

Kingscliff has been run four times at Cheltenham Racecourse, and has won two of these races. More importantly, unlike many other racehorses in the Cheltenham Gold Cup field, Kingscliff has won over the 3 mile 2½ furlong distance run in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. This 2009 Cheltenham Gold Cup runner’s staying power is unquestionable as he has won all his races over distances greater than 3 miles.

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