Wipe away those tears. It may be the fourth and last day of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival, but we have seven more thrilling contests to watch and get involved in before the curtain falls. Then we can start checking out the 2025 Ante Post Festival markets. Research never sleeps !!! Some have been waiting all week for day 4 and the blue riband event of the whole Festival, the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Will Willie Mullins and the Irish raiders, that include Galopin Des Champs, finish with a flourish?
Embed from Getty ImagesTriumph Hurdle (13:30)
The season’s championship contest for juvenile hurdlers and some famous equine names have won this before going on to bigger and better things, including this year’s Mares’ Hurdle winner Lossiemouth. Tiger Roll won this ten years ago 2014. the first of his five Festival wins plus his back-to-back Grand National victories. Sadly Nicky Henderson, who tops the trainer’s honours for this event, won’t be gunning for his eighth success this year now. His well-fancied runner Sir Gino is now an absentee which leaves Willie Mullins in full control of the contest.
Will Wily Willie Work Wonders Again?
Willie Mullins’ runners filled the first four places in the Triumph last year and he sends out 7 of the 13 in the 2024 line-up. It’s amazing that the Irish went 10 years without winning the event earlier this millennium (2003-2012), as they’ve won 8 of the last 11 (Mullins with 3 of the last 4 winners). The legendary Irish trainer who celebrated 100 Festival winners earlier this week, also trained the first four home in the Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown last month. It’s usually a good prep for the Triumph and all those who finished in the first 4 (plus Ethical Diamond (6th) & Highwind (8th), another couple of Mullins runners), are here at Cheltenham.
Less than 2 ½ lengths separated the first four home at Leopardstown that day (1st: Kargese, 2nd: Storm Heart, 3rd: Majborough, 4th: Bunting) and all will have high hopes of a Festival win. One I’d probably discount at first glance is Majborough, who’s not been active enough this season for my liking, with only that Leopardstown run under his belt. Bunting may have finished 4th in the Spring Juvenile, but he wasn’t too far away and I’m not sure why he’s double the price of the top-3. He could be worth an each-way punt at the prices. I’d probably side with Storm Heart if I had to pick a winner though. Paul Townend retains the ride on him and he could just be too good for Kargese this time.
Pick: Storm Heart (E/W option: Bunting)
Check here for the latest Triumph Hurdle prices
Embed from Getty ImagesCounty Hurdle (14:10)
The County Hurdle is one of the most competitive and toughest handicaps of the 4-day Festival. So it’s surprising, that either Willie Mullins or Dan Skelton have won 8 of the previous 9 runnings. Both trainers are in-form and have been flying the flag for Ireland and GB respectively this week. Dan Skelton sends out L’Eau Du Sud and Faivoir. The market fancies L’Eau Du Sud of the two, but if I had to choose one of them, I’d go with Faivoir, who sprang a surprise when winning this event last year. He may have good course form, but his age lets him down for me (9-years-old) in a race where novice-types have tended to excel.
Is She Going To Zenta Out A Message?
Willie Mullins once again goes with the mob-handed approach. He had 7 in the Friday opener and he goes with 5 in this second race of the day. The bookies have priced up Absurde as his best chance in the race. However, the combination of a lack of previous Cheltenham form and the fact he hasn’t won over the 15-17 furlongs range means he’s not for me. I much prefer Zenta and Risk Belle of wily Willie’s crew. Zenta was an impressive 3rd in last year’s Triumph Hurdle behind Lossiemouth. Risk Belle also produced a good performance during the 2023 Cheltenham Festival when finishing 3rd in the Fred Winter.
A non-Mullins/Skelton horse that interests me in the line-up is Magical Zoe. She’s been placed first or second in 7 of her 8 starts over 16/17 furlong trips. The only time she raced over further, 2m 4f, she finished 5th. She produced an eye-catching display on her Cheltenham debut last year too, when second in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.
Pick: Zenta (E/W option: Magical Zoe)
Check here for the latest County Hurdle prices
Embed from Getty ImagesAlbert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (14:50)
Raced over 3 miles, the Albert Bartlett is the longest novices’ hurdle at the Festival and tests the stamina of the immature hurdlers. It’s been a stepping stone for future success, with the 2018, 2019 and 2020 Stayers’ Hurdle winners all competing in the race the year before. Worryingly for Readin Tommy Wrong who heads the market, there hasn’t been a winning favourite since At Fishers Cross in 2013. There’s also only been one winner under 10/1 during that time (Monkfish in 2020). It doesn’t seem to have fazed Paul Townend though, who takes the ride on Readin Tommy Wrong, rather than any of the other four Willie Mullins options in the race.
Second favourite Gidleigh Park, like Readin Tommy Wrong, is also unbeaten this season. However, the pair have not raced over further than 2 mile 4 furlongs this season, which is a little concerning, Recent winners have tended to have some previous form over or around the 3 mile mark.
Will Dancing City Get The Irish Jigging?
A few on the shortlist include Dancing City, Chigorin and Search For Glory. Dancing City is another one of the Willie Mullins’ clan. He is top-rated in the race following his February win at Leopardstown over 2m 6 ½ furlongs. While he hasn’t raced over 3 miles yet, it definitely looked like stepping up further would suit. This might come too soon for Chigorin who with only two hurdle runs is very inexperienced, but his win over 2 mile 7 in heavy going at Fairyhouse in December was impressive. Don’t be too surprised to see him arriving late on the scene in the hands of the Cheltenham Queen, Rachael Blackmore.
Search For Glory returns for another crack at the Albert Bartlett. It wasn’t the most inspiring Cheltenham debut twelve months ago. The Gordon Elliott runner was always struggling after an early mistake and would pull up before the last. He’s progressed over the course of this season though and is well versed over 3 miles, winning both of his most recent runs over that trip.
Pick: Dancing City (E/W option: Search For Glory)
Check here for the latest Albert Bartlett prices
Embed from Getty ImagesCheltenham Gold Cup (15:30)
And so we reach the flagship event of the whole Festival, the Cheltenham Gold Cup. With Shishkin and Hewick both pulling out earlier this week, just 11 remain in search of glory. The Irish have held a stranglehold on the race recently with five successive wins. Willie Mullins celebrating three of those, including last year’s winner Galopin Des Champs, who has a terrific Cheltenham pedigree. The Gold Cup winner last year, the ‘Martin Pipe’ victor in 2021. He was also romping clear when dramatically falling at the last in the ‘Golden Miller’ in 2022.
Galopin To Glory Again?
Fastorslow will have his admirers, having twice beaten Galopin Des Champs at Punchestown in the last 12 months. However Galopin Des Champs would avenge those losses when comfortably beating Martin Brassil’s beast in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown at the start of February. Fastorslow is also yet to taste Cheltenham Festival glory having finished second on both his previous Prestbury Park visits. Gerri Colombe has never finished out of the first two in seven previous chase runs. Though was well and truly beaten (23 lengths) by Galopin Des Champs in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown in December.
We haven’t had a 10-year-old plus winner of the contest since Cool Dawn in 1998, so Corach Rambler, Jungle Boogie & Monkfish will find it tough going. Venetia Williams gave L’Homme Presse her final prep run on February 17th and winners have tended to need a longer break before having a crack at the big one. Gentlemansgame is making his Cheltenham debut, which is asking a lot of Mouse Morris’ 8-year-old. 2022 King George VI Chase winner, Bravemansgame, has been the runner-up on three occasions this season (Charlie Hall, Betfair Chase & King George VI) and he may have to settle for a supporting role once again, but I can see him making the frame.
Pick: Galopin Des Champs (E/W option: Bravemansgame)
Check here for the latest Gold Cup prices
Embed from Getty ImagesFestival Hunters’ Chase (16:10)
We’re back over the same fences and distance as the big one, but this time the amateur riders get their chance to shine. Premier Magic, ridden and trained by Bradley Gibbs, returns to defend his title. A feat that Pacha Du Polder, On The Fringe & Salsify have all achieved in the past 11 years. Its On The Line looks to gain revenge and reverse the placings from last year, but I’m sticking with Premier for back-to-back wins.
Premier Magic Looks To Repeat
Premier Magic, at 11-years-old, is still in the prime age bracket to give another good account of himself, as 10 and 11 year olds have dominated the race of winning the past nine editions. The Gibbs’ star also returned to Cheltenham two months following his Festival Hunters success and again showed his liking for the track when romping to a 17 length victory.
Of those others in the ‘perfect’ age bracket (Time Leader, D’Jango & From The Heart), none seem to be good enough on the official ratings, although Time Leader is the best option of the three. Billaway & Quintin’s Man are both course and distance winners and could be worthy of place claims. Willie Mullins’ Billaway loves the race. He’s been second twice (2020 & 2021) and the winner once (2022), but unfortunately fell in last year’s renewal. He’s had a good season since and if you can trust him to get round, he could be there or thereabouts again.
Pick: Premier Magic (E/W option: Billaway)
Check here for the latest Festival Hunters’ Chase prices
Embed from Getty ImagesMrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase (16:50)
The Mares’ Chase over 2 miles 4 1/2 furlongs is the newest race at the Cheltenham Festival with only three previous runnings. It replaced the Centenary Novices’ Handicap Chase on the schedule in 2021. All three previous winners have hailed from Ireland (Willie Mullins twice and Colm Murphy) and the Emerald Isle look to hold all the aces once again.
Will The Irish Dominance Continue?
Limerick Lace (G.Cromwell), Dinoblue (W.Mullins) & Allegorie De Vassy (W.Mullins) are the fancied three. Limerick Lace may fall short a tad on the ratings. Though we’ve only had three previous winners, all were rated 150+ and Limerick is on 147. Though she does seem to be on the rise and i prefer her to Dinoblue, who hasn’t raced over 2 miles 4 furlongs since April 2022. Limerick Lace is well schooled over the trip with five runs over 20 furlongs since the start of 2023, and some impressive runs at that. Allegorie De Vassy has more grounding over today’s distance than Limerick Lace, but again is not as knowledgeable as Dinoblue.
One further down the bookies boards who maybe in with a squeak is Marsh Wren. Stuart Edmunds’s horse is a consistent sort who has been aimed at this distance or just beyond for the past year, finishing in the top-2 in all those starts, all of which were raced in soft or heavy going.
Pick: Dinoblue (E/W option: Marsh Wren)
Check here for the latest Mares’ Chase prices
Embed from Getty ImagesMartin Pipe Hurdle (17:30)
And so to the last race at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival and we all hope it’s the ‘lucky’ last. The Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle is restricted to apprentice (conditional) jockeys and another big field lines up. While still in its infancy (it was first run in 2009), the race has thrown up some top quality winners, the most recent being Galopin Des Champs, and we know how he’s turned out. Willie Mullins has used the contest as a good prep race for some of his future Festival stars.
Are There Better Days Ahead?
Weight seems an important factor with all 15 previous winners having carried 11 stone 1 or more. If using that as a judgement call, it rules out a fair number, including the favourite Waterford Whispers. We’ve also not had a winner aged over 7 before, so of those in the top dozen in the betting, Answer To Kayf, No Ordinary Joe & Jay Jay Reilly may struggle.
A couple that catch my eye here are Better Days Ahead and Sonigino. Both have had previous Cheltenham run-outs and while not giving amazing performances, it would come in handy for today’s race. Gordon Elliott’s Better Days Ahead has also some good form over this trip and beyond this season. Sonigino’s victory at Aintree over 2 mile 4 furlongs in heavy going in December was a strong piece of work and Nicholls will be hoping it’s third time lucky for his 7-year-old at Cheltenham. Monmiral’s heroics in the Pertemps yesterday finally got the Ditcheat handler off the mark at this year’s Festival, which will have been a huge relief.
Pick: Better Days Ahead (E/W option Sonigino)
Check here for the latest Martin Pipe Hurdle prices
The first five races are shown live on ITV, with the 16:50 & 17:30 shown live on Racing TV
And for the final time, Good Luck All
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