It’s day four of the Cheltenham Festival where the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup takes centre stage and Galopin Des Champs bids to defend his crown.
Willie Mullins has proved the man to follow for punters across both sides of the Irish Sea, and the Closutton maestro will be hoping that he can land his fourth Gold Cup inside just six years.
Among today’s rivals will be last year’s runner up, Bravemansgame. Paul Nicholls’ star has had a disappointing season so far though the stable did saddle a 25/1 winner yesterday courtesy of the Sir Alex Ferguson-owned Monmiral.
Scotland’s hopes will rest with Grand National winner, Corach Rambler. Lucinda Russell’s ten-year-old obliged in the Ultima Chase at the Festival in both 2022 and 2023 though he will need a career best in order to be competitive in this line up..
The card commences with the JCB Triumph Hurdle (1.30),and following the defection of leading ante-post fancy, Sir Gino, the race has been blown wide open. That said, Willie Mullins predictably dominates the top of the market with no fewer than seven runners scheduled to take their chances in the race.
We’ll be bringing you all of the latest stories from the track and getting you all of the best tips in the business courtesy of our very own, Garry Owen, in our LIVE blog.
12:22Ian Brindle
Excitement building at Prestbury Park
It’s true that the crowds have been lower this year than has been the case but with just over an hour to go – the punters are pouring through the gate and we are looking forward to our first race at 13:30.
12:12Ian Brindle
DJ surprise for racegoers
We may have seen royalty and football managers but in the Centaur today, Craig David has just been playing a DJ set…
Not sure how many of the racegoers are fans of the UK Garage sensation but maybe someone should have told him that this Festival is only over four days rather than seven.
12:05Ian Brindle
Mullins has strong hand in the Triumph
Our first race is due at 13:30 and is the JCB Triumph Hurdle.
Ireland has a phenomenal record in the race with 14 previous winners and Willie Mullins saddles seven runners in today’s renewal.
Our Garry Owen believes that this will be another prize that can go his way.
He said: “KARGESE can keep Willie Mullins’ bandwagon rolling in the Triumph Hurdle. The filly earned a transfer to Team Closutton by routing Terra Bella in a Grade 3 at Auteuil. That looked a wise decision when she was second to Kala Conti in a Leopardstown Grade 2. The bay improved again when cosily defeating Storm Heart in Grade 1 company back there.
“There is plenty more to come form this smart type who can see off some promising rivals.”
11:59Ian Brindle
Further non-runners announced…
Standby your beds and add these to your lists folks…
14:10 Hansard
17:30 Teddy Blue
11:21Ian Brindle
All to play for in battle for Festival honours
It’s still all to play for in the jockey and trainer standings at Cheltenham for the 2024 Festival.
Harry Skelton and Paul Townend are currently tied as top jockeys with four winners a piece.
Rachael Blackmore and amateur rider, Derek O’Connor have both landed two prizes.
Willie Mullins has saddled six successes so far with Dan Skelton best of the Brits with four.
The Irish lead the Prestbury Cup by 12-8.
Sir Alex Ferguson has had a great Festival as an owner though it’s the evergreen JP McManus that is top of the tree with three victories so far, three seconds and two thirds.
11:14Garry Owen
Presse On for glory
L’HOMME PRESSE (15:30) can blow his rivals away in the Gold Cup on Day 4 of the Cheltenham Festival.
Venetia Williams’ horse showed a liking for this track when landing the Dipper Chase in 2022.
He stayed upwardly mobile over 2m 4f when crushing Mister Coffey in a Grade 1 at Sandown.
The gelding then stayed thee miles well when caning Ahoy Senor in the Brown Advisory here.
He was feeling the effects of that run when beaten by his old rival in the Mildmay at Aintree.
The gelding hit back when defying a huge weight on his return in the Rehearsal at Newcastle.
However, he was quickly sidelined after unseating at the last in the King George at Kempton.
The bay looked as good as ever when brushing aside Protektorat on his comeback at Lingfield.
He then warmed-up nicely for today when giving Pic D’orhy most problems in the Ascot Chase.
The nine-year-old is ideal for the demands of the Blue Riband so he can score at a decent price.
11:09Ian Brindle
Latest Betting
Galopin Des Champs remains a very hot favourite to land back-to-back renewals… do shop around for the best prices and TAKE A PRICE!!!
Hewick was declared a non-runner yesterday so there will be no lucky seven for the pinstickers!
| Galopin Des Champs | EVS f |
| Fastorslow | 7 |
| Gerri Colombe | 7 |
| L’Homme Presse | 12 |
| Corach Rambler | 14 |
| Bravemansgame | 22 |
| Jungle Boogie | 22 |
| Nassalam | 22 |
| Gentlemansgame | 25 |
| Monkfish | 25 |
| The Real Whacker | 40 |
10:58Key Event
Gold Cup line-up
15:20 Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup 3m 2f
1 Bravemansgame Paul Nicholls / Harry Cobden
2 Corach Rambler Lucinda Russell / Derek Fox
3 Fastorslow Martin Brassil / J J Slevin
4 Galopin Des Champs Willie Mullins / Paul Townend
5 Gentlemansgame Mouse Morris / D J O’ Keeffe
6 Gerri Colombe Gordon Elliott / Jack Kennedy
7 Hewick NON RUNNER
8 Jungle Boogie Henry De Bromhead / Rachael Blackmore
9 L’Homme Presse Venetia Williams / Charlie Deutsch
10 Monkfish Willie Mullins / Mr Patrick Mullins
11 Nassalam Gary Moore / Niall Houlihan
12 The Real Whacker Patrick Neville / Sam Twiston-Davies
11 RUN
10:48Ian Brindle
Today’s non-runners
13:30 8 Peking Opera, 11 Sir Gino
14:10 4 Encanto Bruno, 11 Aucunrisque, 12 Gin Coco, 17 Parramount, 23 Rare Middleton
14:50 1 Butcher Hollow, 12 Shanagh Bob
15:30 7 Hewick
16:50 4 Brides Hill
17:30 20 Thanksforthehelp
10:46Ian Brindle
Heavy back in the going description
Some 9mm of rain during the course of Thursday and overnight has eased the ground to soft – heavy in places on the chase course and heavy all over on the hurdles track.
More rain could hit during today’s session so make sure you are looking for horses that have an aptitude for performing when there’s plenty of give underfoot.
10:42Ian Brindle
Day four menu
It’s day four and what a tremendous day of sport is in prospect – here is our running order…
13.30 JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1) 4YO only,
14:10 BetMGM County Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap)
14:50 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (Registered As The Spa Novices’ Hurdle)
15:30 BOODLES CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP CHASE (Grade 1)
16:10 St. James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase
16:50 Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase (Registered As The Liberthine Mares’ Chase) (Grade 2)
17:30 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (Class 2)
08:31Gavin Berry
Boogie can dance home
Two-time winner Rachael Blackmmore, speaking to Betfair, says she reckons the ground will suit her 25/1 Gold Cup shot Jungle Boogie.
He ran well for a long way in the Hilly Way Chase at Cork in December on his first run for Henry. That two-mile trip was shorter than ideal for him, but he stuck to his task well to finish fourth behind El Fabiolo. He showed a great attitude last time at Tramore on New Year’s Day in the Savills Chase over two miles and seven furlongs, he rallied well after he was headed by Classic Getaway to get back up and win by a length. He is 10-years-old now, but he is very lightly raced, he has raced just five times under all codes. He has been in good form at home, the soft ground will suit him and I hope that he can run a big race.
08:11Key Event
Good morning
Hello and welcome to the final day of what has been a thrilling meeting. Will Cheltenham save the best til last?