Friday is the fourth and last day of this year’s Cheltenham Festival with bookies having a more successful day than the steamrolling Willie Mullins and the rest of Ireland did on the opening two days.
Mullins Mob-Handed In The Triumph
The late defection of warm ante post favourite Sir Gino means those from across The Irish Sea are more likely to land the opening G1 Triumph Hurdle and Bunting chanced to hit the bullseye for team Mullins in the opener.
He made eye-catching late progress when finishing fourth in The Spring Juvenile Hurdle at The Dublin Racing Festival (the first, second, third and sixth re-opposing today) and, despite jockey bookings suggestions saying otherwise, he can improve to reward each way support under Sean O’Keefe.
Another I will have to chuck a few quid on is Salvator Mundi, who was second to the beforementioned Sir Gino and snapped up by connections quickly thereafter. He has apparently set tongues wagging on the Closutton gallops and is a fascinating runner on his debut under rules on these shores.
The Skeltons love targeting the Cheltenham handicaps and after the earlier successes in the week L’Eau Du Sud has been very popular to go one better than second in last month’s Betfair Hurdle at Newbury.
Kinsgfield The King of The County
I was a backer of Gin Coco (2.10) in this race 12 months ago and would be loathe to desert the Harry Fry trained gelding now, racing from a pound higher mark. He had the re-opposing Favior beat when comfortably scoring at Ascot earlier in the season and, despite disappointing last time out at Doncaster, has been freshened up for a spring campaign.
The main bet in the race would be King of Kingsfield (2.10) who was second to subsequent Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner Slade Steel earlier in the season and was done for speed by Ballyburn last time out at The Dublin Racing Festival. Stablemate Pied Piper keeps the weights down nicely and he looks potentially chucked in from 10’12. Jack Kennedy opts to partner over Pied Piper, Samui and Media Naranja.
A Bit of Fry and Johnny
I’ve been a long admirer of Gidleigh Park since he landed a gamble on hurdles debut and followed-up at both Newbury and Cheltenham thereafter. He was switched to the longer race having previously been ear-marked for the Gallaghers’ Novice Hurdle – and a good job too as he wasn’t beating Ballyburn! He looks a proper chaser in the making for connections and must go close for the team of Harry Fry and Johnny Burke.
Soft Ground The Key for Venetia’s
I can’t leave L’Homme Presse (3.30) go unbacked in The Cheltenham Gold Cup given just how good he jumps a fence. There are certain horses who stick with you, and he was one after scoring at the festival in The Brown Advisory 12 months ago.
He will absolutely love the conditions and shouldn’t have any issues with the three and a quarter miles trip. He was found wanting for a turn of foot last time out at Ascot but was previously emphatic in his defeat of Protketorat at Lingfield and can reward each way support under regular partner Charlie Deutsch.
Wade Into Sine Nomine
I still have no idea how Billaway won The Cheltenham Foxhunters in 2022 when coming from an absolute different parish under Patrick Mullins. The 12yo is sure to be popular, despite his fall in the corresponding race 12 months ago, however I’m going to take a chance on Sine Nomine (4.10) at a double figure price under John Dawson. The mare sauntered home last time out at Wetherby and is a tremendous jumper of a fence. She will love the forecast testing ground.
I will not be punting on the Mares’ Novice Chase but Dinoblue looks the class act for those having a bet.
The Whispers Are Right!
The Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle is more affectionately known as ‘the boys race’ amongst trainers with many up-and-coming pilots getting the chance to ride on the big stage. He isn’t a big price but plainly put I think Waterford Whispers is likely a stone better animal than we saw of him when finishing second in the green and g old in the finale, and he can land the spoils for Henry de Bromhead and Mikey O’Connor.
Selections
1.30 Cheltenham – Bunting/Salvator Mundi
2.10 Cheltenham – King of Kingsfield/Gin Coco
2.50 Cheltenham – Gidleigh Park
3.30 Cheltenham – L’Homme Presse
4.10 Cheltenham – Sine Nomie
4.50 Cheltenham – *No Bet)
5.30 Cheltenham – Waterford Whispers
Be Lucky
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