The clock is ticking down to 15:20pm on Friday 19th March and shortly after we will know whether the 2010 Gold Cup has been a one or a two horse race or maybe we will all be sat in shock as a new Champion is crowned Cheltenham Gold Cup hero.

Kauto Star needs no introduction, he bids this year to take the title for the third time. All things considered no matter how great Denman is, it is going to take a very special horse to rob him of the title he won last last year and in 2007.

He has done everything right in the build up to this race, he perhaps wasn't as sharp as some would have liked in the Betfair Chase only narrowly taking the win from Imperial Commander but a win is a win. From there he went to the King George at Kempton at Christmas and wiped the floor with the competition.

Denman on the other hand caused a major upset at Newbury in the Aon Chase when a fall cost him the race. He had been leading up until that point so lets just put that down to life and relish the fact that we are going to witness one of the best chasers we have ever seen go into battle to reclaim the crown that won in 2008 and was taken from him by the favourite last year.

Imperial Commander should be there for a place, this nine year old narrowly last out to Kauto in the Betfair Chase but did not get it together in the King George where he had to settle for fifth slot. He generally likes Cheltenham and deserves a chance to redeem himself on Gold Cup Day.

Tricky Trickster won the Aon Chase, he is a solid jumper and is reported to be in great shape ahead of this race, no match for the big two perhaps but has all the makings of one who could be in the following batch.

Age Trend: Range: 7 - 9yo.

Trainer Trend: PF Nicholls has trained three winners in the last eight years. Miss HC Knight won this race three times with Best Mate (twice in the last seven years).

Favourite Trend: The favourite has won this five times in the last eight years. the top three in the betting has accounted for every winner in the last eight years.