Cheltenham Day 4
It has been a fantastic three days of racing and a fantastic Gold Cup lies in store followed by the intriguing presence of Victoria Pendleton in the Foxhunter. Vautour arguably put in the performance of the day on Thursday when winning the Ryanair and his early majestic leaps suggested that the fears about his wellbeing were misplaced. Thistlecrack was nearly as impressive when landing the World Hurdle for Colin Tizzard and it will be interesting to see what route he takes next year as he has progressed with every run and the race would surely be his for the taking again next year but fences are tempting.
Limini took the new mares’ novices hurdle in style and Black Hercules was yet another Mullins horse that jumped and travelled before winning well. Mall Dini took the Pertemps although If In Doubt was one of the unluckiest horses of the festival when finishing third. Empire Of Dirt could also be called the winner a long way out when taking the Brown Plate. Cause of Causes was travelling like anything but the winner in the last but as he picked off horses it suddenly looked like he had just entered the race and he ended up winning with ease.
13:30 Triumph Hurdle
Always a tricky race and on good ground you need a horse that has some toe. Zubayr would be my first pick as he travelled so well at Kempton and he should come on for that. My second pick is Leoncavallo, he has not been seen since unseating at Cheltenham in December but he is a smart hurdler who has improved enormously since switching from the flat and 20-1 is a big price about him.
14:10 Vincent O’Brien
My first pick is Starchitect as his form last time out looks very solid and this better ground should see him in a better light. Superb Story has not been seen since his fine second to Old Guard here last time and he would be my second best.
14:50 Albert Bartlett
Like Ballyandy Barters Hill is a horse you would want to take to war with you and I think he will run a big race in the Albert Bartlett although the stable did report him to be stiff a couple of days ago. They wouldn’t run such a lovely prospect if he had not recovered. Long Dog should progress again and unexcitingly he is my second selection here.
1530: Gold Cup
I think and hope that Cue Card will stay the Gold Cup trip and win it for Colin Tizzard, he has had great belief in his horse and the horse has been a flagbearer for him at so many festivals already. Smad Place put in a serious performance when beating Many Clouds last time and if he can get jumping out in front I think he also has a chance.
1610 Foxhunter
Boringly I am going for On The Fringe to repeat last year’s victory with the excellent Nina Carberry onboard and adding in the classy Marito.
1650 Martin Pipe
I was convinced Flying Angel wanted better ground until his win last weekend in the Imperial Cup on desperate ground. If it has not taken too much out of him he will have a fantastic chance here as I still think he will be better on good ground. I am also putting in Nabucco as he has some rock solid form, you can forget his last run here and he is a huge price.
17:30 Grand Annual
One last throw of the dice at the traditional getting out stakes. Rock The World will love this ground and has won over the course and distance and Chris Pea Green has been lightly raced this campaign, he was running well in this race before he fell last year.
I hope you have a fantastic day and let us hope for a cracking Gold Cup. Best Tim.