It’s Day 4 and the culmination of a brilliant week of top-class racing, with the Gold Cup up for grabs. It is the race every trainer, jockey and owner wants to win and a contest that always produces a great spectacle. The Cheltenham Festival starts to draw to a close for another year after a week of spectacular racing.
Going Solo
1.30 JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1)
A competitive first race with a few runners all in with a chance. Goshen looks set to start as the favourite, whilst Allmankind also has a chance. However, the selection is SOLO for Paul Nicholls after his latest performance saw him win comfortably in a Grade 2 at Kempton on his British debut and first run for the new yard. A Wave Of The Sea looks a strong each-way chance.
Willie Mullins set to dominate
2.10 Randox Health County Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)
Willie Mullins has the three market leaders in this race, and it is sure to be a competitive event between the stable mates. Saint Roi and Ciel De Neige are both owned by JP McManus who has had a great festival so far, but ARAMON can take this under the ride of Paul Townend. A Grade 1 winning novice last season, who ran well behind Honeysuckle (winner on Wednesday) with improvement likely. Mohaayed who won this in 2018 looks a good each-way chance after a recent wind operation.
Thyme for a Philp Hobbs win
2.50pm Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
THYME HILL arrives boasting leading bumper form for trainer Philip Hobbs and is unbeaten over hurdles this season. He looks perfect for this type of race and can win a big field contest with Richard Johnson on board. Latest Exhibition is set to go well too, whilst Lieutenant Rocco looks a good each-way bet at a big price.
The Cheltenham Gold Cup
3.30pm Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup (Grade 1)
AL BOUM PHOTO won this last year and has enjoyed the exact same preparation coming into this contest, winning well at Tramore last time out. He looks like going into the Gold Cup as favourite for Willie Mullins and can make it back to back wins; but there are others in with a chance. Delta Work goes for the Gordon Elliott yard and is a strong stayer on the upgrade, whilst Nicky Henderson sends out Santini who won a Grade 2 contest at Cheltenham in January. At a bigger price, Kemboy can go well but needs to jump better than in previous contests.
Billaway, all the way
4.10pm St James’s Place Foxhunter Chase
Another hugely competitive race and a big field with many looking to scoop a festival win. Minella Rocco and Shantou Flyer have won at this track before, and despite both now being 10 years old, they can each have a big say in this one. Staker Wallace has been attracting support in the markets, as he is still lightly raced and might have plenty more to come. However, preference is for BILLAWAY for the Willie Mullins yard who beat Staker Wallace last time out and is a progressive hunter chaser. Veteran, Don Poli, could also run a big race on softer ground.
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