 The 30th running of the Gold Cup, which took place on soft ground on 14 March 1957, looked to be a very open race with Kerstin and Pointsman being made the 6/1 joint favourites and Linwell, ridden as usual by Scudamore starting at 100/9.The other leading contenders in the thirteen-runner field were E.S.B., Sir Ken (a three-time winner of the Champion Hurdle), Gay Donald and Rose Park (King George VI Chase).Scudamore restrained Linwell towards the rear of the field as Rose Park set the pace before moving up to join the leaders approaching the straight.