THE final day of The Cheltenham Festival 2024 sees the running of the 100th Cheltenham Gold Cup and we have a fascinating renewal worthy of the Blue Riband race of The Festival. Unfortunately Shishkin is not in the field for Unibet Ambassador Nicky Henderson, and he would have been my selection after his run in the King George VI when looking sure to win after stumbling after the second last ahead of winning at Newbury.
The favourite Galopin Des Champs Unibet Evens was brilliant last year and after two recent wins at Leopardstown at Grade 1 level he comes here in strong form for the Willie Mullins team. Regarding the runners who will chase him home then L’Homme Presse and Corach Rambler look strong each way plays.
Enjoy whether at Cheltenham or watching #athome on ITV Racing or Racing TV.
See you at Cheltenham.
Cheers,
The Wine Tipster
1.30 Cheltenham – JCB Triumph Hurdle Grade 1 (2m)
Salver has been high on the shortlist for this with the proviso he got soft ground, and he’s most certainly got that. Impressive from the word go this season, defying a huge drift in the market on debut at Warwick, winning the Finale in deep ground at Chepstow (Harsh in fourth ran a good race to finish fourth in the Boodles) and doing more than enough at Haydock to think he’s a threat in this. Whereas others have speed, Salver has stamina, and he can put that attribute to good use today.
2.10 Cheltenham – The County Handicap Hurdle (2m 1f)
Faivoir (nap) last year’s winner cannot be discounted for the inform Dan Skelton team. Falvoir ran last weekend in the Imperial Cup, when In truth, he looked all over the winner at the last, only to be picked up by the ultra-tough Go Dante (Unibet Greatwood sixth) in the shadow of the post. He comes here in top form and only 2lb higher than last year. He looks terrific each-way material.
3.30 Cheltenham – Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase Grade 1 (3m 2½f)
L’Homme Presse like Corach Rambler has a strong chance of rewarding each way players in a Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup where Galopin Des Champs can follow up on his 2023 success. L’Homme Presse had his first start of the season at Lingfield in January in the Fleur De Lys Chase when not far off his best when beating Protektorat (winner of the Ryanair Chase on Thursday) and then over an unsuitably short distance at Ascot he couldn’t keep up with Pic d’Orhy going right-handed. The key impression though is when he won the Brown Advisory in 2022 jumping and travelling well throughout when powering up the hill.
Corach Rambler will appreciate the rain coming again to slow things up and he still represents excellent each-way value. Quite simply, he’s a horse that doesn’t come alive until the spring, as ablely demonstrated by two wins in the Ultima and a Grand National. It is easy enough to say that it is “only” handicap form, but it is top-class handicap form that ties in closely with second-favourite Fastorslow, and his price looks too big to ignore. Given a break after his staying-on third behind Royal Pagaille in their big chase at Haydock in November, he can show his true colours today.
4.50 Cheltenham – Mares’ Chase Grade 2 (2m 4f)
Brides Hill jumps and travels well, and that’s never a bad thing when looking for the winner of the Mares’ Chase. She also impressed with her attitude when seeing off Queen Jane at Fairyhouse two starts ago, and barely came off the bridle to win the Lady Protectress at Huntingdon last time, not needing to be at her best. Unlike favourite Dinoblue she’s a guaranteed stayer, and looks a great each-way play in a race that can be narrowed down to a handful pretty quickly.
5.30 Cheltenham – Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle (2m 4½f)
Teddy Blue is developing ideas of his own, that much is certain, but there’s been signs on his last two starts that Teddy Blue is on the way back to form and might find this big competitive handicap hurdle just the ticket. In the Lanzarote at Kempton he was travelling well and faded late on to finish sixth, and following that shaped every bit as well when fourth to Mothill at Ascot last time out. He had to wait for a gap to appear but stayed on well once that appeared and wasn’t beaten far. Teddy Blue looks like he is hitting peak form at the right time and if in the right mood can get in the mix at a big price.
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