Gold Cup Day is one of my favourite days in the racing calendar. It is made even more special this year with Galopin Des Champs bidding for a famous hat-trick in the race. I certainly couldn’t put you off as he has looked better than ever this season and was awesome at the Dublin Racing Festival. If he jumps round immortality could await.

Not just the Gold Cup to look forward to though as the Triumph looks a belter with East India Dock and the well touted Lulamba going head to head and the Albert Bartlett sees The Big Westerner put his reputation on the line.

We also get to see the big gamble unfold in the Martin Pipe with Kopeck De Mee so there really is something for everyone. There is plenty of value around on Day 4 of the Cheltenham Festival so I have looked over each of the 7 races in detail again and hopefully found some more winners to cap off what has been a brilliant week! The Cheltenham Festival always delivers.

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Quick Cheltenham Day 4 tips

Win Singles

• Gold Cup: INOTHEWAYURTHINKIN – 7/1 with bet365
• JCB Triumph Hurdle: LULAMBA – 2.65/1 with SBK
• County Handicap Hurdle: LARK IN THE MORNING – 9/2 with Betfred
• The Liberthine Mares’ Chase: BRIDES HILL – 11/2 with talkSPORT BET
• Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle: THE BIG WESTERNER – 9/2 with Paddy Power
• Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle: BALLYBOW – 9/1 with Sky Bet
• Hunters’ Chase: RYEHILL – 9/1 with Betfair
• Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle: KOPECK DE MEE – 5/2 with bet365
• Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle: TAPONTHEGO – 11.5/1 with SBK

Win Double

• Lulamba
• Kopeck De Mee

Go for the win double at 11.25/1 with bet365

Each way Double

• Lark In The Mornin
• The Big Westerner

Take the each way double 26.5/1 with Betfred

Top 5 favourites & odds for Gold Cup Friday Grade 1 races

Triumph Hurdle	Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle	Gold Cup
East India Dock 2/1	The Big Westerner 6.4/1	Galopin Des Champs 11/2
Hello Neighbour 9/4	Wendigo 11/2	Banbridge 9/2
Lulamba 5/2	Jet Blue 7/1	Inothewayurthinkin 7/1
Lady Vega Allen 14/1	Wingmen 15/2	Montys Star 14/1
Gibbs Island 18.5/1	Jasmin De Vaux 11/1	Corbetts Cross 18/1

Cheltenham Gold Cup tips

Galopin Des Champs probably only needs to jump round to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup again and make it a famous three in a row. He has been the horse of a lifetime for trainer Willie Mullins and has arguably looked better than ever this season slamming the opposition to win the Irish Gold Cup again at the Dublin Racing Festival last month. He has it all and granted usual luck in-running should cement his name in the history books. Obviously at the price it is hard to recommend getting stuck into him and I have to admit I do think I’ve found an interesting angle in now.

Ante-post I like Monty’s Star for the race and while I do think he will run well and hopefully hit the frame I can’t help but be drawn into INOTHEWAYURTHINKIN now he has been supplemented for the race. This horse has shaped well in defeat most notably when fourth behind Galopin Des Champs at Leopardstown last month. He was a place in front of Monty’s star on that occasion and that is how I can see the form playing out here. Gavin Cromwell could easily bring out further improvement in the horse and if he jumps well he might be the one to give the favourite most to think about.

Banbridge is obviously second favourite off the back of King George glory and he does have the ground in favour but I’m not convinced he’ll see out this extra distance as strong. If he does he will finish second but I have my doubts and he is short enough. If you don’t want to back my selection each way then there is also the option to cover him without the favourite for which he is an 11/4 chance. For this to win he’d have to finish in front of everything else (but if he does win outright you still win the bet too).

6 INOTHEWAYURTHINKIN

• Trainer: Gavin Cromwell
• Jockey: Mark Walsh
• Form: 11434-223911-754
• Age: 7yo
• Weight: 11-10

Inothewayurthinkin to win the Gold Cup 7/1 with bet365

Triumph Hurdle tips

There has been an awful lot of chat regarding the Triumph so I’m looking forward to it finally getting settled on Friday afternoon. East India Dock has gone 3-3 over hurdles and has looked impressive doing so. I just worry he hasn’t been taken out of his comfort zone though and he’ll definitely have to fight if he is to come out on top here. I much prefer LULAMBA who has the scope to go on improving for a long time yet and there was a lot to like about his Ascot win as he still looked quite raw. He should come forward for the experience and I know the yard think he is something a bit special. If he settles and gets into a decent rhythm I’d be confident he will be the one finishing strongest.

It is not just a two horse race though as Hello Neighbour impressed winning at the Dublin Racing Festival. He is clearly quite a tricky customer but has plenty of ability and if improving again shouldn’t be overlooked. He needs to be delivered perfectly though and that is no guarantee here. Gibbs Island was well backed to win at Haydock and the runner-up Give It To Me Oj has won stylishly since so at bigger odds he could improve and get competitive.

Mondo Man also takes his chance having bumped into Lulamba at Ascot and then disappointed at Kempton. I do feel he is a lot better than he has shown so far though and this bigger field might help him settle so don’t give up on him. He is a massive price but if he does things right this time he could have the ability to play a part.

7 LULAMBA

• Trainer: Nicky Henderson
• Jockey: Nico de Boinville
• Form: 1
• Age: 4yo
• Weight: 11-2

Lulamba to win the Ryanair Chase at 2.65/1 with SBK

County Handicap Hurdle tips

They are backing Kargese quite heavily for this but she was turned over at a very short price at Ascot and just pulled her chance away. I guess the angle is this big field will help her settle but I don’t think she is the most genuine and I’d still worry she will pull Townend’s arms out and struggle to see it out as well as some. At the prices I’m happy to go against and have backed LARK IN THE MORNIN for Joseph O’Brien. This 5yo was an impressive winner of the Boodles at the Cheltenham Festival last year and has only been seen twice since. He was fifth in the Swinton where the ground was probably too quick and then needed the run when seventh on return at Leopardstown. He will be spot on for this now and remains unexposed so could improve again.

With 16 heading to post there are obviously quite a few each way players. Valgrand was another horse I looked closely at for the Skelton’s. He came out particularly well on the trends and they have probably had this race in mind for a long time. He didn’t fire at Kempton but I do expect him to bounce back here and go close. Mclaurey in the McManus silks won with a bit up his sleeve at the Dublin Racing Festival and is another one you could see getting involved. He is being backed so the 7/1 could come under pressure.

Absurde cut through the pack to win this under a superb ride last year and must be feared back over hurdles. He was last seen finishing an excellent fifth in the Melbourne Cup only beaten 2 lengths so that tells you about the class of the horse. He is 8lb higher this time around but will have his supporters again. Ethical Diamond would have been strongly considered but the handicapper has been harsh and a mark of 143 doesn’t give him much to play with at all albeit he is still unexposed.

13 LARK IN THE MORNIN

• Trainer: Joseph O’Brien
• Jockey: JJ Slevin
• Form: 1-4-26315-7
• Age: 5yo
• Weight: 10-8

Lark in the Mornin to win the County Handicap Hurdle at 9/2 with Betfred

Mares’ Chase tips

Something is telling me to oppose Dinoblue so after much deliberation I have managed to do so. She beat Allegorie De Vassy at Naas but I just don’t think she is as good at Cheltenham with a record of 0/3. She is burdened with a Grade 1 penalty and at a skinny price could be worth taking on. BRIDES HILL is tough and likeable and I don’t think she has done much wrong this season despite getting beat twice. She bumped into Telepathique at Huntingdon and I rate that mare quite highly. They will have her cherry ripe for today and at an each way price she looks much better value.

Allegorie De Vassy is hard to fancy unless getting a soft lead. She was thrashed by Brides Hill at Punchestown last year and also was only fourth in this behind Limerick Lace 12 months ago. The latter is definitely capable but she’d probably want softer ground to spring the upset this time around. Shecouldbeanything has been highly tried the last twice but could run better than her price suggests at least. I feel like this is a lot more open than the betting is suggesting so just tread carefully if you’re contemplating backing this favourite.

2 BRIDES HILL

• Trainer: Gavin Cromwell
• Jockey: Keith Donoghue
• Form: 138662PU2113B1PU3-F3221PUF-1111-32
• Age: 8yo
• Weight: 11-5

Brides Hill to win the Mares’ Chase at 11/2 with talkSPORT BET

Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle tips

I can’t have been the only one that has been impressed by THE BIG WESTERNER. I’m a bit annoyed at myself as I liked The Yellow Clay strongly for this race but the plans changed and he went for the Turners. He obviously ran a massive race only just touched off by The New Lion but it meant I didn’t back The Big Westerner ante-post. She is still around 9/2 which I see as a decent enough price. She is obviously unbeaten having won both starts to date and I loved the way she asserted at Limerick. Put away since she has untapped potential and could be the one to beat getting 7lb from the boys.

Given the nature of the race I’m keen to back one at a bigger price and BALLYBOW catches the eye for Gordon Elliott. This son of Flemensfirth relished stepping up in trip winning gamely at Clonmel last month. He still has lots to learn but is going the right way now and should be suited by this test. Wendigo chased home The New Lion before winning easily at Wetherby. He looks a nice staying type so should run his race. Wingmen is also interesting having bumped into Final Demand at the DRF. He gives the impression he has more to offer.

It is a big field so there are plenty you could give a chance to. It’s interesting to see the French horse Jet Blue come for the race. He was impressive over C&D in December and looks to have bundles of stamina so freshened up since will likely have his supporters. Mullins hope seems to be Jasmin De Vaux who obviously won the Champion Bumper last year but he has yet to convince with his jumping. If it does all click then he’d be a huge player.

20 THE BIG WESTERNER

• Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
• Jockey: Darragh O’Keeffe
• Form: 11
• Age: 6yo
• Weight: 11-0

The Big Westerner to win the Albert Bartlett at 9/2 with Paddy Power

2 BALLYBOW

• Trainer: Gordon Elliott
• Jockey: Sam Ewing
• Form: 115211
• Age: 6yo
• Weight: 11-7

Ballybow to win the Albert Bartlett at 9/1 with Sky Bet

Hunters’ Chase tips

The Hunters’ Chase is probably one of my least favourite races at the Cheltenham Festival so I rarely have a strong opinion in this. I did think RYEHILL looks a big price though as visually he has been quite impressive and he did finish second to the favourite for this race Angels Dawn in a point in December. He really caught the eye slamming Ontheropes by 12 lengths at Naas and if his jumping holds up he has potential to do a fair bit better yet. This faster ground poses a different question but I think it does for many in the race.

Angels Dawn would be my idea of the most likely winner but I’m not telling you a great deal there as he has been backed into favouritism now. Its On The Line clearly has the ability to win this but he often hits a flat spot and is a hard horse to watch through a race as can often look beat before trying to run on again. He is around 5/1 but I’d want a bit bigger If I was to be tempted in again (backed him last year). Shearer has been progressing well but this is definitely a different ballgame as it will be his toughest ask yet.

17 RYEHILL

• Trainer: R O’Sullivan
• Jockey: Mr LP Shanahan
• Form: 221-21214-1
• Age: 8yo
• Weight: 12-0

Ryehill to win the Hunters’ Chase at 9/1 with Betfair

Martin Pipe tips

The Martin Pipe is one of the biggest punting races of the year and there is a fascinating runner this year in the shape of KOPECK DE MEE for Willie Mullins. He is yet to run on these shores but looked impressive winning at Auteuil and has subsequently been snapped up by JP McManus. He had multiple entries in the handicaps but has opted to come for this race and a mark of just 136 could easily underestimate him. He has been one of the talking horses of the whole Festival so the bookmakers have cut his price accordingly but there is a chance he could go off even shorter than 11/4.

I like to have one at a bigger price each way in this too and TAPONTHEGO looks worth including for Henry de Bromhead. He impressed beating Mclaurey by 9 lengths in a maiden hurdle at Tipperary and has been fairly highly tried since. He wasn’t at his best behind William Munny at Punchestown but this step back up in trip is ideal and now handicapping he might have gone under the radar slightly. Plenty of dangers and I guess the obvious one is Wodhooh having beaten Joyeuse at this track when last seen. That rival won by 8 lengths at Newbury before finishing midfield behind Lossiemouth in the Mares earlier in the week. She would have been targeted at this and will definitely have her supporters.

East India Express is lightly raced and has won his last two so could go well at a bigger price. He has been freshened up and has plenty in his favour. I did think Doyen Quest might be a bit of value to hit the frame at around 50/1 for Dan Skelton. He doesn’t look to have much in hand off his mark but I have a suspicion he could improve again for first-time cheekpieces so perhaps worth considering at a silly price.

8 KOPECK DE MEE

• Trainer: Willie Mullins
• Jockey: AP Kelly
• Form: 132-1
• Age: 5yo
• Weight: 11-3

Kopeck De Mee to win the Martin Pipe Hurdle at 5/2 with bet365

9 TAPONTHEGO

• Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
• Jockey: MP O’Connor
• Form: 21233
• Age: 6yo
• Weight: 11-2

Taponthego to win the Martin Pipe Hurdle at 11.5/1 with SBK

Cheltenham Gold Cup Day Race Schedule

TIME	RACE	DISTANCE	TYPE
13:20	The JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1)	2m	Hurdle
14:00	The William Hill County Handicap Hurdle Race (Premier Handicap)	2m	Hurdle
14:40	The Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Steeple Chase (Grade 2)	2m 4f	Chase
15:20	The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle Race (Grade 1)	3m	Hurdle
16:00	The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Steeple Chase (Grade 1)	3m 2f	Chase
16:40	The St. James’s Place Festival Hunters Chase	3m 2f	Chase
17:20	Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (0-145)	2m 4f	Hurdle

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