Cheltenham Gold Cup chasers as Arkle, Best Mate, Golden Miller, Kauto Star and Mill House. The Gold Cup is the most valuable non-handicap chase in Britain, and in 2014 it offered a total prize fund of £550,000. The first horse race known as the Cheltenham Gold Cup took place in July 1819. It was a flat race, and it was contested over 3 miles on Cleeve Hill, which overlooks the present venue. The inaugural winner, Spectre, won a prize of 100 guineas for his owner Mr Bodenham. The Cheltenham Gold Cup was first run as a jumps race on 12 March 1924. The
Exotic Dancer (horse) Exotic Dancer (horse) Exotic Dancer (29 March 2000 – 2 April 2009) was a French-bred National Hunt racehorse, who was trained by Jonjo O'Neill. He had a famous rivalry with Kauto Star but never beat him. In April 2005, Exotic Dancer finished seventh in the World Hurdle at Cheltenham and as a 50/1 outsider finished third in the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle at Aintree. In December 2005 he had his first win in a novice chase at Cheltenham. Exotic Dancer had a successful 2006/07 season with three victories at Cheltenham, in the Paddy Power Gold Cup, Boylesports.com Gold Cup and