Gold prospectors dig for victory amid a cloud of uncertainty

There may have been Cheltenham Gold Cups that have been harder to be certain about, but surely none has had a cloudier aspect than the one waiting for us a week tomorrow. The Champion Hurdle and the Champion Chase have an air of inevitability about them, but the Timico-sponsored Gold Cup is anybody's race, which is slightly worrying and rather exciting at the same time.

The likes of Kauto Star and Denman come along once in a generation, and it is hard to escape the notion that since their hold on the title was broken by Imperial Commander and then by Long Run, the Gold Cup has undergone a form of interregnum, the record books full of place-holder names as we wait for the new king to arise from the mob.

This is not necessarily through any lack of quality in the winners. Synchronised never got a chance, Coneygree has been plagued by injury, Don Cossack never ran again, while Bobs Worth and Lord Windermere made the most of their big chance but could neither build on it or sustain it. Sizing John's reputation is still on the potter's wheel, still being moulded.