We move onto the fourth and final day of the Cheltenham Festival, which features plenty of top-class action, including the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Wendigo set to race in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle. I’ve given my through-the-card selections for the card – it might not be much of a surprise to see who I’m backing in the Albert Bartlett, or the Gold Cup for that matter!
1:20pm – JCB Triumph Hurdle
EAST INDIA DOCK has looked a natural over hurdles this season, winning all three races comfortably, and he looks a solid favourite in the opener on Friday. His win over C&D last time out was ultra impressive, and he’s clear on Racing Post ratings. Lulamba and Hello Neighbour could be the main dangers, but I think East India Dock will have too much speed for his rivals and can remain unbeaten over hurdles.
TIP – EAST INDIA DOCK
2:00pm – William Hill County Handicap Hurdle
Nine of the last ten renewals have been won by either Willie Mullins (5 wins) or Dan Skelton (4 wins), so it could pay to focus on their runners. Kargese is a deserved favourite and is the choice of Paul Townend, but at the prices I’d sooner side with last year’s winner ABSURDE. He ran out a stylish winner of the race 12 months ago and still looks well treated despite an 8lbs rise. The ground won’t be an issue and despite Paul Townend jumping ship for his stablemate Kargese, he should still run a big race.
TIP – ABSURDE
2:40pm – Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase
This should really be a straight battle between stablemates DINOBLUE and Allegorie De Vassy, and it’s the former who gets my vote. She could only finish runner-up in the race last year but arrives here in good form, beating Allegorie De Vassy in a close finish at Naas over two miles last month. She meets that rival on 1lb better terms here as she steps back up in trip, but she should be able to confirm that form.
TIP – DINOBLUE
3:20pm – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
Of course it would be easy to tip up WENDIGO as he is our horse, but I actually do feel he has a huge chance of winning this. He fits plenty of the trends for recent winners, and the form of his runner-up effort in the Challow received a major boost on Wednesday with The New Lion winning on Wednesday. The step up in trip should suit and trainer Jamie Snowden has said he’s in fantastic form at home, so I’m hoping he can run a big race!
TIP – WENDIGO
4:00pm – Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup
This is GALOPIN DES CHAMPS race to lose. He is by far the best horse in the race, and this is arguably an easier renewal than the last two that he has won. He has already beaten a lot of his main rivals this season, and barring any mistakes he should be completing a hat-trick of successive Gold Cup wins, becoming just the second horse this century to win a trio of Gold Cups.
TIP – GALOPIN DES CHAMPS
4:40pm – St. James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase
The mare Angels Dawn should have a big chance in here and arguably looks the likeliest winner on paper, particularly with the useful mares’ allowance, but it’s worth noting that only three favourites have won in the past ten years. At a bigger price, MUSIC DRIVE could be a better angle in the race. Formerly with Gordon Elliott, He used to be a classy horse and previously races in Grade 1 and 2 company at Cheltenham. After over two years off and switching to Kelly Morgan’s yard, he’s returned with a couple of easy point-to-point wins, and hopefully comes here with a big chance.
TIP – MUSIC DRIVE
5:20pm – Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle
Gordon Elliott has an excellent record in this, winning three of the last eight renewals, including last year with the impressive Better Days Ahead. I’m hoping he can continue his good record with WODHOOH, who has been a revelation over hurdles. She’s won all six races over hurdles (awarded the race on hurdles debut) and the form of her C&D win in December has worked out extremely well, with the runner-up Joyeuse easily winning a Grade 3 next time out and the third-placed Take No Chances finishing third in the Grade 1 Mares’ Hurdle here on Tuesday. She should have a huge chance of winning – fingers crossed we sign off with another winner!
TIP – WODHOOH
DAY 4 TIPS
1:20PM – EAST INDIA DOCK
2:00PM – ABSURDE
2:40PM – DINOBLUE
3:20PM – WENDIGO
4:00PM – GALOPIN DES CHAMPS
4:40PM – MUSIC DRIVE
5:20PM – WODHOOH
Racing Club is set to have our first-ever Cheltenham Festival runner on Friday afternoon, as WENDIGO lines up in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle. A limited number of shares are still available – become an owner in a Cheltenham Festival runner for just £75 HERE.
