Cheltenham. It’s the biggest Festival of the year, where punters on both sides of the Irish Sea make the pilgrimage to the heart of the Cotswolds, in the shadow of Cleeve Hill, for four days of unrivalled racing pleasure. Day Four sees the return of the king, Galopin Des Champs. He looks destined for a third win in the race, can he do it?
Big Race View
Starting with the first of three Grade One’s on day four and there are three very fancied runners. But I’m voting for East India Dock, who has been ultra-impressive in three wins this season, including two at Cheltenham at double figure margins. The latter was considered a “bad” performance by James Owen, yet he trounced the field by 10L. He has the beating of the other two, considering Lulamba’s form from Ascot has been decimated and Hello Neighbour has never looked that impressive. East India Dock has and bids for that coveted Cheltenham hat-trick.
Blue Lemons also looks one to side with for the future and could put up a big performance here. Transferred from the flat well to win by 3L at Gowran Park on hurdles debut. Interestingly bred by Blue Point and speed will be key in this race, and he should have plenty.
Big Race Bet: Triumph Hurdle (Grade One) – East India Dock @ 9/4 (William Hill), Blue Lemons e/w @ 12/1 (General)
Excellent at Each-way
The Albert Bartlett is such a tricky novice hurdle to predict at Cheltenham. Nine of the last 10 winners have been at double-figure prices, so each-way picks often win. Jax Junior gets my vote in this contest at an each-way angle. He won two novice hurdles at Doncaster and Ascot by double digits before just losing at Huntingdon to Califet En Vol in the Listed Sidney Banks. The runner-up has won subsequently and looked as though he wanted more trip that day. Not a bad contender.
Excellent Each-way bet: Albert Bartlett Novice’s Hurdle (Grade One) – Jax Junior e/w @ 33/1 (William Hill)
Handy Handicap Guide
The final race of the Cheltenham Festival is one full of plot jobs. None more obvious than Kopeck De Mee for Mullins and JP. But another plot job that must be considered is Wodhooh. She blitzed the field over course and distance in December on her only start this season. The form from that race has seen the second, third and fourth placed horses all win subsequently. It’s amazing that she is unbeaten, but she’s showed no signs of weakness and looks to only get better.
No Questions Asked may benefit from a good run from Jax Junior in the Albert Bartlett, but he passed him in the Listed Sidney Banks before scoring by 2L against a good horse in John Barbour at Ludlow. He remains on the same handicap mark and can deliver another big performance for the Pauling team.
Minella Sixo has had a busy old season. Finished third in a Grade Two and second in a Grade Three. He fell when making some progress in a Pertemps qualifier at Haydock which is why we see him back down in trip. He placed over this trip on the Old Course back in October behind Potters Charm and will enjoy this ground. Plus the Elliott team will be desperate for a winner at Cheltenham.
Handy Handicap Bets: Martin Pipe Conditional Jockey’s Handicap Hurdle – Wodhooh @ 5/1 (William Hill), No Questions Asked e/w @ 14/1 (William Hill, Unibet, Boylesports), Minella Sixo e/w @ 25/1 (William Hill, BetVictor, Boylesports)
Selections:
13:20 – Triumph Hurdle (Grade One) – EAST INDIA DOCK @ 9/4 (William Hill), Blue Lemons e/w @ 12/1 (General)
14:00 – County Handicap Hurdle (Premier H’cap) – McLaurey @ 7/1 (Unibet), Ndaawi e/w @ 20/1 (Unibet), Cracking Rhapsody e/w @ 50/1 (Unibet)
14:40 – Mares Chase (Grade Two) – Dinoblue @ 11/10 (General)
15:20 – Albert Bartlett Novice’s Hurdle (Grade One) – The Big Westerner @ 5/1 (William Hill, BetVictor), JAX JUNIOR E/W @ 33/1 (William Hill)
16:00 – CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP (GRADE ONE) – GALOPIN DES CHAMPS @ 4/7 (William Hill, BetVictor, Betfred)
16:40 – Hunters’ Chase – Angels Dawn @ 100/30 (BetVictor), Bardenstown Lad e/w @ 40/1 (William Hill, BetVictor)
17:20 – Martin Pipe Conditional Jockey’s Handicap Hurdle – Wodhooh @ 5/1 (William Hill), No Questions Asked e/w @ 14/1 (William Hill, Unibet, Boylesports), Minella Sixo e/w @ 25/1 (William Hill, BetVictor, Boylesports)
Best of Luck!
