THE final day of the 2022 Cheltenham Festival, which has seen big crowds throughout, features the Blue Riband of The Festival with an excellent renewal of the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup. The weather forecast is for a beautiful dry day, and this will be fantastic fourth day of racing to conclude a brilliant Cheltenham Festival 2022.
Enjoy whether at Cheltenham or #athome watching on ITV Racing and Racing TV.
Cheers
The Wine Tipster
1.30 JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 1f
Doctor Parnassus for the Dan Skelton team is a genuine contender here, and by Friday the ground will have dried back to soft, good to soft, and that should be ideal. Looked tricky but talented on the Flat but hurdles seemed to have rekindled his interest. His two wins have been impressive at Ascot and Taunton respectively. He is a good jumper too and looks overlooked here.
Unibet 16/1 each way
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2.10 Cheltenham – McCoy Contractors County Handicap Hurdle 2m 1f
Colonel Mustard for the Lorna Fowler team was originally marked up in my Unibet Irish Handicappers piece at Unibet 16/1 and he’s on a very good-looking mark (could easily have been higher) given the company he’s been keeping in Graded company this year. Last time out he was third to Sir Gerhard at the Dublin Festival in a Grade 1, having finished runner-up to Jonbon on his previous start at Ascot in a Grade 2. The form is clear to see, he will relish the final climb for home in the race that looks the right opportunity.
Unibet 13/2 each way
First Street for Unibet Ambassador Nicky Henderson looked really progressive on handicap debut, when quickening away in good style at Kempton in January. He then finished third in the big Handicap Hurdle at Newbury last month behind Glory And Fortune and I Like To Move It when challenging late on from the last showing plenty of speed. I like the way also he was staying on and Cheltenham looks sure to suit this progressive type, who has won on soft and good going.
Unibet 18/1 each way
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2.50 Cheltenham – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 3m
Hillcrest (nap) has been tipped up in Unibet blog on several occasions and was featured in my Unibet Ante-Post piece. He was included in my Ten To Follow and after his last success over three miles at Haydock Henry Daly decided to head to the Albert Bartlett rather than the Ballymore.
Apart from one unlucky unseat when avoiding a faller on Festival Trials he has won his other four starts. Hillcrest is an enormous individual and there will not be a more striking individual in the parade ring at Cheltenham. He is such an exciting prospect, will he win the Albert Bartlett?
Unibet 100/30
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3.30 Cheltenham – Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (Grade 1) 3m 2½f
Galvin can follow up his National Hunt Chase success and take the Boodles Gold Cup in what is a high-class renewal. Given the expected ground conditions his stamina will come to the fore and he has the class too, which he showed in taking the Savills Chase at Leopardstown in December, beating A Plus Tard with a very noteworthy performance. Galvin hasn’t run since but goes well fresh and this eight-year-old is a very exciting individual who has conditions in his favour.
Unibet 11/4 win NRNB
Santini second in the 2020 Gold Cup is now with Polly Gundry and has shown plenty of enthusiasm on his two starts at Cheltenham for his new trainer. Last time out he was second to Chantry House on Festival Trials and he can get in the mix as an each way play.
Unibet 40/1 each way
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4.50 Cheltenham – Mares’ Chase (Grade 2) 2m 4f
Mount Ida must have a strong chance in the Mares’ Chase after her fantastic win in the Kim Muir last year by six and half lengths, after looking beaten at halfway. She has won both her starts this year over a very similar trip to the Mares’ Chase and particularly impressed last time out beating Elimay at Fairyhouse on New Year’s Day, when giving her 3lb. This eight-year-old has looked better than ever this season and as well as having loads of ability she goes well fresh.
Unibet 17/8 win
Unibet’s 15 To Go Free Bet Offer will be running on all ITV races all week.
