MANCHESTER, England, January 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

A total of 34 horses have been entered for this year's Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup and last year's winner Long Run heads the market at 11/4 with the sponsors.

The sponsors will also be going non-runner, no bet on the race from Thursday morning onwards which will be of interest to those who fancy Grands Crus who has been given an entry in the Gold Cup as well as the RSA Chase at the Festival for which he is the 5/2 favourite.

David Pipe has hinted that his novice could line up for the Gold Cup and he has been quoted at 8/1 by Betfred to emulate Captain Christy who was the last rookie to win the race in 1974.

"Long Run and Kauto Star currently head the market for the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup after their epic tussles in both the Betfair Chase and King George this season but Grands Crus is an extremely interesting entry and punters can now back David Pipe's novice safe in the knowledge that they will get their money back should the horse take up an alternative entry at the Festival," said Betfred spokesman George Primarolo.

Kauto Star is the 4/1 second-favourite with Betfred despite lowering the colours of Long Run on two separate occasions so far this season. Lexus Chase winner Synchronised is next in the market at 10/1 with Captain Chris a 16/1 shot.

Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup - sponsors bet: 11/4 Long Run, 4 Kauto Star, 8 Grands Crus, 10 Synchronised, 16 Captain Chris, 20 Time For Rupert, 25 Diamond Harry, Jessies Dream, Quel Esprit, Quito de la Roque, The Minack, Weird Al, 33 Albertas Run, Finians Rainbow, 40 Bostons Angel, Burton Port, Junior, Medermit, Midnight Chase, What A Friend, 50 Apt Approach, Carruthers, Little Josh, 66 China Rock, Magnanimity, Poquelin, Tidal Bay, The Giant Bolster, The Midnight Club, Wayward Prince, 100 Hey Big Spender, Mon Mome, 150 Halley, Knockara Beau.

Non runner, no bet - ¼ 1-2-3

SOURCE Betfred