The Paddy Power Gold Cup meeting kicks off at Cheltenham

The National Hunt season really gets going at Prestbury Park as Ballyfitz heads the Gold Cup market

Ballyfitz and Tranquil Sea currently head the betting for Cheltenham Paddy Power Gold Cup in a race which always takes a huge deal of winning. Often run like a five furlong sprint from the tape, this year's frantic renewal should be no different. It's 7/1 the field with most uk online bookmakers. An interesting runner at 18/1 is Tartak, a top novice chaser from last year, currently trading at 22.00 with Betfair.

Friday's action from Cheltenham includes the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase, a race completely dominated by Irish trainer Enda Bolger. There's no Spot Thedifference in this year's race, but Bolger and owner McManus still have the likely winner in Garde Champetre. Formerly a hugely expensive hurdling prospect, Garde Champetre is currently a short priced 1.72 favourite for the 3M 7F event.

Later in the afternoon, Ashkazar, a crack hurdler for David Pipe, heads a smart looking field in Steel Plate and Sections Novices Chase. David Johnson's horse is trading at 3.50.