Cheltenham Day Four Preview

Cheltenham Preview Day 4

Friday

1.20 Triumph Hurdle

There’s some potential class acts here, including East India Dock and Lulamba, who are sitting at the top of the market. The first four in the market are all unbeaten, so it remains to be seen how good they really are. East India Dock deserves to be favourite for this, as he was useful on the flat while also impressing over obstacles, which included here in the trial race. That day, he scooted clear and all this season, his trainer, James Owen, has been in excellent form, in particular with juvenile horses. He’s the one to beat, while Lulamba shouldn’t be far away if all goes to plan for Nicky Henderson’s horse. At a big price is Mondo Man who was bought for €520 000, he could outrun his odds, but he’s yet to show his true promise so far.

2.00 County Hurdle

Patrick Mullins has always said that Ethical Diamond could be a dark horse in a handicap, he’s in this at 14/1 and definitely has a live each way chance. Valgrand was impressive in the early part of the season, and this could be the opportunity for the perfect revival. Willie Mullins has two, who are fancied at the top of the market with Kargese and Absurde. Both need respect, but it could be worth siding with Absurde, who won this very race last year.

2.40 Mares Chase 

JP Mc Manus colours in the winning enclosure again? I think so. Dinoblue has been competing against much higher-class horses all season and should be too good for this bunch also. At odds of even money, he’s hard to back unless you opt for a multiple bet, which is brave at this stage. Paul Townend’s mare, Allegorie De Vassy wasn’t far behind dinoblue recently as front-running tactics were adopted. It’d be interesting to see if that’s the case here, as a longer trip could suit. However, it should be a familiar sight, then yellow and green colours picking up more Cheltenham glory. 

3.20 Albert Bartlett Hurdle

There has been plenty of market support for the French-trained Jet Blue who has proved he can run well over this trip with stamina being assured. There has been plenty of talk in Cheltenham Preview Shows about The Big Westerner, who remains unbeaten with two fine performances under her belt. This mare is well in at the weights as she receives seven pound all round. Gordon Elliot hasn’t been able to claim a winner yet but Ballybow is a lively each-way player at attractive odds. He seems to be getting better with each run, while Wingmen needs respecting also, after his fine second at the Dublin Racing Festival 

4.00 Cheltenham Gold Cup

1. Ahoy Senor has shown in the past he is a fine horse. Capable of a bold show from the front, his jumping needs to be improved as it’s often let him down in the past. On his last two outings, he’s been pulled up, which would cause concern. However, the Lucinda Russell-trained horse has undergone wind surgery, so it could improve. Jockey: Derek Fox

2. Banbridge could be a proper player here if the ground is good. Joseph O’Brien knows how to win the big races at festivals, and this horse should not be underestimated. This trip could be a problem, but he has questions when stepping up to 3Miles at Kempton last time out in the King George. He mowed down the front running IL Est Francais so it’s clear he has no issue with this distance; there’s also stamina in his pedigree, so he could be the real danger to the favourite. JJ Slevin will be the Jockey

3. Corbett’s Cross has shown in the past, especially last year, where he bolted up in the National Hunt Chase. He’s regressed since with him running no sort of race last time out against an impressive Pic Dorhy. However, that was a much shorter distance, and I feel he can blossom over this extended trip. The jockey booking of Jack Kennedy catches the eye, while his trainer is one shrewd operator. Owned by Jp, he’s one that could go well at a price where he could run into the places. 

4. Galopin Des Champs is a short favourite, but he’s the class act here. When you look through the race card, he catches the eye as he should be far too good for these. A winner of two previous gold Cups, he knows how to win this race and considering the opposition he’s up against, this could be his easiest assignment so far in the prestigious race. The popular horse started off the season a bit iffy, but he’s gone on to dominate the heavyweight of National Hunt Racing. Deemed one of the bankers all week, it’s no surprise to see so many choosing him as the winner. On the flip side, we’ve seen this week Majborough, Constitution Hill, and Ballyburn all beaten while trading at odds on. Two of the mentioned are trained by Willie Mullins, and could this race be the hat trick in terms of “banker” blowout. Who knows? But I’ll be certainly taking him on.  Jockey: Paul Townend

5. Gentlemansgame catches the eye as he’s a beautiful-looking grey horse. Trained by Mouse Morris in Tipperary. He’s up against it here as his form looks patchy. At Christmas, he ran a fine race when finishing third behind Galopin Des Champs but was disappointing most recently when he finished third at this racecourse. He has experience of running in big races, as he ran in this last year but was pulled up when unfancied. It looks likely he will struggle once again. Jockey: Darragh O`Keefe

6. Inothewayurthinking is the latest addition to this nine-runner renewal. Winning the Kim Muir last year points that is capable of going the distance, and he is a definite each-way player. Supplemented recently enough for a whopping £25,000 shows connections are serious about his chances. He was running on well at the finish last time out but still finished 7 lengths behind Galopin Des Champs. Going up in distance is certainly a positive, and it would suggest this horse will be finishing strongly for the Gavin Cromwell team.  Jockey: Mark Walsh

7. Monty’s Star represents the winning connections of the 2021 Gold Cup winner, Minella Indo. His form has been largely consistent with a couple of seconds to his name. There is a stamina doubt around this horse, but can he win? Unlikely. Jockey: Rachel Blackmore

8. Royal Pagaille represents the famous pink colours of Rich Ricci, but he is surely of his depts here. A good horse in the past, but his best days are over, I’m afraid. Trained by Venetia Williams, who has done well in recent seasons with strong stayers. The outsider of the field in this, will surely struggle…. Jockey: Charlie Deutsch

9. The Real Whacker had a great time winning two years ago when he won a couple of decent races with front-running performances, but he has no doubt regressed in recent times. Pulled up in this race last year, it could be more or less the same outcome here with his best days behind him Unfortunately. Jockey: Brian Hughes

4.40 Foxhunters Chase

Fairly Famous has been the subject of serious market support in the past day. Trained and ridden by Gina Andrew’s, he could go well. It’s on the line is the most talented in this field and will be popular considering the connections involved. Trainer, Paul Nicholls has stated he only backed one horse ante post, and that is Shearer, who goes here with his daughter Olive, jocked up. A tricky race over three miles. It’d be foolish to back against him. It’s on the line who has questions to answer, but he should go well with top amateur, Derek O’Connor on board.

5.20 Martin Pipe Hurdle

The favourite in the lucky last? Kopeck De Mee was favourite for numerous races this time last week, but he goes here. Running on debut for Willie Mullins, a lot is expected as it appears he could be well in at the weights while also being ahead of the handicapper mark. This horse will carry a low weight due to him only having ran in France previously, and as a result, the British handicapper has given him some leeway. By his own standards, Gordon Elliot has had a below-par week, but he could finish strong just like he did last year. His mare, Wodhooh, has a perfect record as she’s 6 from 6, and there are little flaws to be seen. Galway jockey, Danny Gilligan takes the ride, which could be a memorable one for the youngster. Although Wodhooh has gone up the weights significantly, she definitely has a serious chance and could be the one to maintain her unbeaten run. The Skeltons need watching in big field handicaps, and they send Nurse Susan here, she won here in the past, and market signals should be monitored with each way value there for all to see. 

Day 4 Best bet: Corbett’s Cross (Each Way)

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