Experts' Best Bets: Cheltenham Festival Day 4 tips with Enda McElhinney
Content Editor at Free Super Tips, Alex was born in the shadow of Old Trafford and is an avid Man Utd fan. After graduating from university he combined his love of football, writing and betting to join FST and now closely follows goings-on in all of the top European leagues.
It’s the main event on Friday afternoon as the Cheltenham Gold Cup takes centre stage on the final afternoon of The Festival.
Galopin Des Champs stands on the precipice of an historic three-in-a-row in the feature race and we’ve got race-by-race tips from the Racing Post’s Enda McElhinney for all the day four action at Cheltenham.
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Back the winner of every race on day 4 below!
1.20 – JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1, 2m1f)
Experts’ Best Bet: East India Dock at 2/1
A fascinating start, with a plethora of unbeaten hurdlers going toe-to-toe. DRF winner Hello Neighbour isn’t overlooked in haste but smart Flat performer East India Dock has really taken to hurdling. He’s a perfect 3-3 so far and his form stacks up well. He’s won twice at Cheltenham this season already and can scamper up the hill for a first Festival success for trainer James Owen.
2.00 – William Hill County Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap, 2m1f)
Experts’ Best Bet: Kargese at 10/3
Willie Mullins and Dan Skelton have won nine of the last 10 renewals. Kargese could hand the Irishman another success. She was second in the Triumph Hurdle here last spring and also won two Grade 1s in Ireland. She was just tapped for race fitness at Ascot on her comeback in January, but the winner franked that form by placing in the Mares’ Hurdle here on Tuesday. A mark of 141 is manageable and Paul Townend abandons last year’s winner Absurde in her favour.
2.40 – Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase (2m4½)
Experts’ Best Bet: Allegorie De Vassy at 7/2
The Irish domination of this race should continue. Dinoblue is a strong favourite and deserves that accolade but is 0-3 at this Festival and there isn’t a lot between herself and stablemate Allegorie De Vassy. The latter was second in this two years and perhaps got it wrong tactically last year (fourth). A more aggressive ride from Paul Townend might turn around recent form with Dinoblue over this longer trip.
3.20 – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1, 3m)
Experts’ Best Bet: Derryhassen Paddy at 9/1
Plenty with chances but perhaps Derryhassen Paddy is being overlooked. He’s unbeaten in three starts, including two wins over hurdles, and he really did show a fine attitude to prevail last time at Windsor, where the tight track likely wasn’t ideal. There’s more to come and with Lucinda Russell on the board already this week, he can upset some leading contenders from top yards.
4.00 – Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1, 3m2½f)
Experts’ Best Bet: Galopin Des Champs at 8/15
A great chance for Galopin Des Champs to match the likes of Arkle and Best Mate by completing a Gold Cup treble. He’s shown himself to be the best in the business with his Leopardstown successes of late and it’s going to be hard for anything to stop him. Monty’s Star was behind him in Ireland last time but the extra distance could help him pick up a silver medal for the now thriving Henry De Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore team.
4.40 – St. James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase (3m2½f)
Experts’ Best Bet: Willitgoahead at 9/2
Lots of chances, including Shearer for Paul Nicholls, Ryehill for Ross O’Sullivan and Angels Dawn for Sam Curling but Willitgoahead might be one to provide some solace for Gordon Elliott – who has been the nearly-man for three days here. This lightly-raced sort scored at Thurles eight weeks ago in fine style on only his second start under Rules. He has the promise of more to come and can give his new trainer a welcome shot in the arm.
5.20 – Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (2m4f)
Experts’ Best Bet: Taponthego at 10/1
The claims of French import Kopeck De Mee are seemingly there for all to see on first start for Willie Mullins but he’s priced accordingly. East India Express has a big chance for Nicky Henderson but Taponthego can round off another fine Cheltenham Festival for Henry De Bromhead. He’s got some very appealing form in the book and his last time out Listed third at Punchestown was behind the Supreme Novices’ runner-up William Munny. An opening mark of 135 can be overcome.
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