Farmer Jack - going for the Gold Cup.

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Two horses that have been matched at 999-1 on Betfair will now go into Friday's Cheltenham Gold Cup with realistic winning chances after Farmer Jack was supplemented for the race.

Farmer Jack was backed and laid at the maximum price of 1000 (999-1) on Betfair when the market first opened after last year's Festival - hardly surprising given that he only beat one of the 13 finishers home in the Mildmay of Flete. Bets were also struck at 990, and all prices down from 800.

But his rapid progression since, culminating in a six-length win off a mark of 152 in the Racing Post Chase at Kempton last month, has seen him traded at a low of 14.5 on Betfair's ante-post market. His last-traded price for the race on the betting exchange was 25.

However, he is not the only 1000 Betfair-traded horse to have strong claims for the race.

Kicking King drifted to that massive price after he was effectively ruled out of the race following a dirty scope a fortnight ago, only for his condition to improve so much that he is now back on course and a 9.4 chance on Betfair.

A total of £220 has been matched on the King George winner at odds greater than 500 on Betfair.

"With news that Farmer Jack is now an intended runner, it is now only about a 5-1 chance that next Friday's Gold Cup winner will have been matched at 1000 on Betfair," said spokesman Tony Calvin.