The Gold Cup is the highlight of the world famous Cheltenham Festival, and is one of the biggest events in the racing calendar.
Whether you're a seasoned punter, or just fancy a casual flutter, punters all across the country will be throwing their money behind a chosen contender on Friday afternoon.
While the field of runners and riders isn't quite as large as the Grand National, picking a horse can still be a tricky business.
If you don't fancy backing a horse to simply win the race, though, then each-way betting is a decent option.
Where does your horse need to finish?
One of the reasons each-way bets are so popular is due to the fact you're not actually betting on your horse to win outright.
Each-way betting means you're betting on it to finish among the top handful of places, the specific number of which are determined by the bookmakers.
For the Gold Cup, Paddy Power and William Hill are paying out on four places. It's five with SkyBet, while The Pools is paying out on four places.
What is an each-way bet?
If you bet to win outright, then you're effectively going for all or nothing. You either win or lose.
But if you bet, say, £1 each-way, you're now making two bets with the bookie. It's one bet that the horse will finish first and another that it will finish in the determined number of places that the bookie pays out on.
As a result, the total bet would cost you £2.
So, if your horse is priced at 12/1 and you back it to win outright, then you will get £12 in winnings, along with your £1 stake.
But if backed each way, you'll get £12 returns plus your £1 stake and, in addition, if the bookies offer 1/4 the odds for a place, then you'll get another £3 plus your £1 stake.
If your horse finishes placed but doesn't win, you'll just get your £3 returns and your £1 stake back.
Three to follow each-way
Minella Indo 6/1
Last year's winner Minella Indo is once again heavily-fancied by the bookies. Ridden by Robbie Power, he has been showing steady improvement all season, and many a tipster is expecting a successful defence.
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
Jockey: Robbie Power
A Plus Tard 5/2
Last year's runner-up put in one of the best performances of the season at the Betfair Chase last November. Once again ridden by Rachael Blackmore.
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
Jockey: Rachael Blackmore
Galvin 7/2
The Scottish-owned contender doesn't carry the normal physical template of a staying chaser but, neither does his high-achieving stablemate Tiger Roll. The soft ground could well give him the stamina test he requires.
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Jockey: Davy Russell
