The third Gold Cup clash between Paul Nicholls's two brilliant chasers Kauto Star and Denman is the highlight of the Festival tomorrow.

The pair have won the last three Gold Cups between them.

Having won the 3m 2f Grade One feature in 2007, Kauto Star had an interrupted preparation the following year and finished runner-up to Denman.

Denman was a shadow of his former self for the majority of last season after a heart problem but his fine second in the race proved he was on the way back as Kauto Star regained the Gold Cup.

Victory in this season's Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury put Denman back in contention but 'the Tank' subsequently made sloppy jumping errors in the Aon Chase at the same track. The worry for Denman is the faster ground.

After the way he won a fourth King George VI Chase at Kempton by 36 lengths, it looks as though the speed horse, KAUTO STAR (3.20pm), will triumph.

Of the pretenders, last season's Ryanair Chase hero Imperial Commander ran Kauto Star to a nose at Haydock at the start of the season but despite the sounder surface, this extended 3m2f trip remains a question mark.

Last season's RSA Chase form doesn't look solid, so Cooldine is passed over. And with the favourite such a short price, stablemate Tricky Trickster, who won the Aon Chase, looks massive value at around 14-1.

BEST OF THE REST Simon Milham's C4 Cheltenham tips

1.30 Advisor; 2.05 Eradicate; 2.40 Tell Massini (nap); 4.00 Roulez Cool (*.b); 4.40 On Borrowed Wings; 5.15 Tataniano

EACH-WAY ALTERNATIVE

1.30 Westlin Winds; 2.05 Inventor; 2.40 The Betchworth Kid; 4.00 Robbers Glen