Friday 15th March 2024
Author: Jordan Yates (jordan_yates_)
Cheltenham Festival Day 4 Preview
1.30: JCB Triumph Hurdle: The opener on the final day is the Grade 1 Triumph Hurdle which is contested over two miles. I’m trying my hand with two each-way fancies here, the first of which is Kargese for Willie Mullins and Danny Mullins, she was a Grade 1 winner last time out at the Dublin Racing Festival and looks a smart mare. She gets the three-pound allowance of most here also and can go well. The other one I like is Nurburgring for Joseph O’Brien and JJ Slevin. He’s a smart and progressive horse, a winner of a Grade 3 this term and was placed in Grade 2 company last time out when just three-quarters of a length behind the winner. I think he’s got a solid profile and can also give his running. Selections: Kargese – 6/1 (Each-Way) & Nurburgring – 6/1 (Each-Way)
2.10: BetMGM County Handicap Hurdle: The second race of the afternoon is the County Hurdle which is handicap action over two miles and a furlong. The first of two that I’m with here is King Of Kingsfield for Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy. He looks very solid here, he’s been placed in two Grade 1s this season behind Ballyburn and Farren Glory and I think he’s a serious player within handicap company. My other pick here is Bialystok for Willie Mullins and Danny Mullins. He’s run well in competitive handicaps in the past but was brought down last time out at the Dubin Racing Festival, as a result, he comes into this race off what looks like a competitive mark and if turning up in the same kind of form we saw him in at Punchestown last April he can go close. Selections: King Of Kingsfield – 5/1 (Each-Way) & Bialystok – 16/1 (Each-Way)
2.50: Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle: We’re back into Grade 1 company at 2.50 with the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle taking centre-stage over three miles. I like the chances of Reading Tommy Wrong here for the team of Willie Mullins and Paul Townend. He gives the impression that staying is what he’s all about and was last seen tasting Grade 1 success when getting the better of stablemate Ile Atlantique in the Lawlor’s Of Naas back in January, which made it four wins in a row under rules for him. I think there’s more to come from him and if he continues his current rate of progression he could prove tough to beat here. Selection: Reading Tommy Wrong – 15/8 (Win)
3.30: Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase: The feature race of the meetings is upon us at 3.30 on Friday which is the Cheltenham Gold Cup a Grade 1 affair that’s contested over a distance of three miles and two furlongs. I think this is all about last year’s winner Galopin Des Champs who’s another for the formidable team of Willie Mullins and Paul Townend. He’s looked back to his brilliant best in his last two starts when winning back-to-back Grade 1s in the Savills Chase and the Irish Gold Cup most recently, avenging his defeats to Fastorslow in the process. He sets the standard here and I believe it will take a serious performance to prevent him from retaining his crown. Selection: Galopin Des Champs – 11/10 (Win)
4.10: St. James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase: It’s not over yet and at 4.10 we have the Hunters’ Chase which is set to be ridden over a distance of three miles and two and a half furlongs. I’m with It’s On The Line here for Emmet Mullins and Derek O’Connor. He comes into the race in fine form and he’s never actually been out of the first three in any of his races to date. He beat Billaway when last seen at Naas back in February on heavy going and he’s likely got more to offer. I find it hard to envisage him not being involved at the business end of things. Selection: It’s On The Line – 7/4 (Win)
4.50: Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase: The penultimate race of the meeting is the Mares’ Chase that’s a Grade 2 affair over two miles and four and a half furlongs. I’m going to take a chance on Allegorie De Vassy here for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend. Sporting the Ricci silks she was second in the race last year and despite not always being the most reliable of sorts she’s clearly a very talented mare, as we saw on her most recent appearance when comfortably beating the smart Riviere D’etel in a Listed race at Naas. She’s a bit of a forgotten horse here and if she turns up on a going day she could put in a big effort. Selection: Allegorie De Vassy – 5/1 (Each-Way)
5.30: Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle: Signing us for another year at Cheltenham is the 5.30 which is the Martin Pipe which is a handicap hurdle for conditional jockeys over two miles and four and a half furlongs. I’ve sided with Better Days Ahead here for Gordon Elliott and Danny Gilligan. He’s an unexposed type who’s been tried in graded company this term and didn’t disgrace himself finishing just over five lengths behind Supreme winner Slade Steel. I think this kind of distance is what he wants and he’s also won over further, the yard know how to win Cheltenham handicaps and I think they have another very live chance with this runner. Selection: Better Days Ahead – 10/1 (Each-Way)
