Three Days. 20 Races. 11 Winners. We have been on fire this week. A successful Cheltenham Festival deserves to end on a high, with the 100th Cheltenham Gold Cup in our sights. Plus, some tricky contests both pre and post-race. For the final time this Cheltenham, here’s who I am picking today.
NAP: Mares Chase (Grade Two) – Dinoblue @ 11/8 (Unibet)
It’s safe to say that the best two-miler chaser this season, bar the obvious, has been Dinoblue. Ever since her second in last year’s Grand Annual, she’s been ultra-consistent. She picked up two valuable handicaps at both Leopardstown and Punchestown, then was thrown into open company this season.
She paid back Willie Mullins’ confidence in her when she won Barberstown Castle Chase, then routing the field in the Paddy Rewards Club Chase over Christmas.
Dinoblue may have finished second to El Fabiolo at the Dublin Racing Festival, but she was six lengths in front of the Champion Chaser 2024, Captain Guinness. She faces a step up in trip, but she should answer the doubters much like Lossiemouth on Tuesday.
E/W BET: 100TH Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (GRADE ONE) – Bravemansgame @ 16/1 (BetVictor, Boylesports)
It’s a bit insulting last year’s Gold Cup second at this price. He hadn’t been his fluent self over fences early on this season but showed a better display and a fantastic rally to just edge second ahead of Allaho. We saw the true Bravemansgame that day and Paul Nicholls still believes this horse has it in him to win the Blue Riband race. He won’t mind the soft ground, but 16/1 is odds-on you should never associate with a Grade One winner, and last year’s second.
I also fancy a couple of small each-way stakes on both Gentlemansgame and Monkfish. Gentlemansgame beat Bravemansgame at Wetherby and hasn’t been seen since. Trainer Mouse Morris has said he’s been quite hard to train, but this race would’ve been the target for the season. 22/1 (BetVictor, BetUK).
Monkfish, anyone remember him? Originally thought he would be going to the Stayers’ Hurdle, Rich Ricci and co suddenly remembered he can jump a fence. He was one of the shortest-priced winners of the 2021 Festival, winning the Brown Advisory at 1/4. His odds were slashed for the Gold Cup the year after, but sadly he picked up an injury that rules him out until the end of last season. This horse has been destined to win a Gold Cup and could produce the comeback of all comebacks at 33/1 (William Hill).
Having said all of that, Galopin Des Champs wins his second Gold Cup at a canter. 11/10 (William Hill).
Handicap Best: County Handicap Hurdle (Premier) – L’Eau Du Sud @ 4/1 (General)
The king of the Cheltenham plot jobs made it two handicap wins with 25/1 outsider Monmiral winning the Pertemps. L’Eau Du Sud runs in the same colours and ran a blinder in the Betfair Hurdle last time out. He was six lengths of the next placed horse and goes up six pounds. A fair rise, but still puts him in great position on the weights. The British are also 5-2 up in the handicap races, which shows you how well they’ve been treated this week.
King Of Kingsfield comes into the race on a super boost. On his last start he finished behind the Supreme winner Slade Steel and the Gallagher winner Ballyburn. Some form line to come into handicapping for the first time. He’s on the same mark as last time out, which shows that he’ll have to prove he’s just as good as the other two today. He’s got a great chance at 11/2 (Unibet).
A big-priced shot could be Mr Freedom. Reading Sheena West’s comments, she is extremely bullish about his chances and the form backs it up. He’s finished in the top three of every race he’s completed since June 2023. Some record. Even with a five-pound penalty, he still looks well-treated and will not mind that ground. Small each-way stakes at 40/1 (General).
Selections:
13:30 – Triumph Hurdle (GRADE ONE) – Majborough @ 7/2 (Unibet, Betfred, Boylesports), Kargese e/w @ 6/1 (Boylesports), Salver e/w @ 10/1 (General)
14:10 – County Handicap Hurdle (Premier) – L’EAU DU SUD (HB) @ 4/1 (General), King Of Kingsfield e/w @ 11/2 (Unibet), Mr Freedom e/w @ 40/1 (General)
14:50 – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (GRADE ONE) – Dancing City @ 8/1 (Unibet, Betfred, Boylesports), Chigorin e/w @ 11/1 (General)
15:30 – 100TH CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP (GRADE ONE) – GALOPIN DES CHAMPS @ 11/10 (William Hill), BRAVEMANSGAME E/W @ 16/1 (BetVictor, Boylesports), Gentlemansgame e/w @ 22/1 (BetVictor, BetUK), Monkfish e/w @ 33/1 (William Hill)
16:10 – Hunter’s Chase – Premier Magic @ 6/1 (General), Billaway e/w @ 9/1 (Unibet), D’Jango e/w @ 66/1 (Unibet)
16:50 – Mares Chase (Grade Two) – DINOBLUE (NAP) @ 11/8 (Unibet), Allegorie De Vassy (R/F)
17:30 – Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle – Quai De Bourbon @ 7/2 (William Hill), Better Days Ahead e/w @ 9/1 (BetVictor, Unibet, Boylesports), Yeats Star e/w @ 18/1 (Unibet)
The very best of luck!
