This is the first time ever that we have had a race at the Cheltenham Festival with no British-trained runner in it. That’s amazing. I have gone round and round in my head between Galopin Des Champs and Bob Olinger and the market is even struggling to split them. It could come down to jumping and we know that Galopin Des Champs is a very good jumper.
He will make ground at the obstacles, but Bob Olinger is a very, very good horse and his ability to travel strongly through the race is assured. He just needs to improve his jumping a bit and the drying ground should help that. He might just get the better of Gallopin Des Champs in what will prove a fascinating contest.
Alaphilippe ran a hell of a race in the qualifier at Warwick on his seasonal debut. He is definitely a player based on run when sixth in the Grade One Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle last year. Sire du Berlais is a huge danger. Second in the Stayers’ Hurdle last year, he has won this race previously and, with Rob James taking 7lbs off his back, has to be of interest. It was a coin toss between the two and I just favour Fergal O’Brien’s runner, Alaphilippe.
Allaho looks too good for these and it’s left to Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup winner Conflated to be the biggest danger. Shan Blue was unlucky in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby and has hasn’t run since but has been targeted at this race since then.
Flooring Porter is the reigning champion and his trainer Gavin Cromwell is hitting form at the right time. The concern for Flooring Porter fans is how he reacts to the crowd as Cheltenham was behind closed doors last year. He is a little bit of a nutcase and, with this being the middle race, I worry that he may blow his top with the preliminaries.
For that reason, I am going for the lightly-raced Thyme Hill who was placed in a Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle and narrowly beaten by Champ in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot earlier this season, bouncing back from a poor seasonal debut at Auteuil. He has been kept fresh for this and could be the answer for an intriguing contest.
Trainer Alan King had his first winner at the Festival after a few years in the wilderness at Prestbury Park. He saddled 80 consecutive losers in that time at the four-day festival, until Edwardstone won the Arkle. The Glancing Queen had split L’Homme Presse and Oscar Elite (who was placed in a handicap chase on Tuesday) at Cheltenham and that is good form. Fusil Raffles would be of interest if the ground started drying out after Wednesday’s downpours.
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Grangee put up her best performance on decent ground when winning the a Punchestown Festival bumper when ridden by Patrick Mullins last season. Patrick is back on board and she looks interesting at a backable each-way price.
Noel Meade’s charge, School Boy Hours, won the Paddy Power Chase at Christmas and is probably one of the better treated Irish trained horses in this handicap chase. He’s 9lbs higher than when winning that competitive contest and that may be good enough for him to deliver again.
STILL NOT SURE WHO TO BACK? OUR CHELTENHAM QUIZ MAY HELP
Questions
Based on your answers we think your ideal horse for the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle is:
Flooring Porter
You’re clearly a football thoroughbread, but when it comes to your racing, we’d recommend that you keep things simple and play it safe with one of the favourites.
Klassical Dream
You’re clearly a football thoroughbread, but when it comes to your racing, we’d recommend that you keep things simple and play it safe with one of the favourites.
Thyme Hill
You’re clearly a football thoroughbread, but when it comes to your racing, we’d recommend that you keep things simple and play it safe with one of the favourites.
Champ
Your opinions on football are rock solid, but we get the impression that you won’t want to stick to the obvious names when it comes to racing. This horse has a real chance at a decent price.
Paisley Park
Your opinions on football are rock solid, but we get the impression that you won’t want to stick to the obvious names when it comes to racing. This horse has a real chance at a decent price.
Royal Kahala
There’s no questioning your opinions on football, and we get the impression that you’re looking for a bit of value with an outsider. This horse comes with a big price, but could make a real name for itself on the day.
Lisnagar Oscar
There’s no questioning your opinions on football, and we get the impression that you’re looking for a bit of value with an outsider. This horse comes with a big price, but could make a real name for itself on the day.
Home By The Lee
Throwing caution to the wind – we love it! When it comes to football and racing, we understand you’re looking for glory whatever the price. This horse is an outsider, but you believe in miracles, and miracles do happen.
Song For Someone
Throwing caution to the wind – we love it! When it comes to football and racing, we understand you’re looking for glory whatever the price. This horse is an outsider, but you believe in miracles, and miracles do happen.
Koshari
Throwing caution to the wind – we love it! When it comes to football and racing, we understand you’re looking for glory whatever the price. This horse is an outsider, but you believe in miracles, and miracles do happen.
Cheltenham Tips: Mick Fitzgerald’s Day 3 top picks for Thursday
Mick Fitzgerald's got you covered for St Patrick's Day at the Cheltenham Festival.
By Mick Fitzgerald / Cheltenham Festival, Horse Racing Tips / 1 year ago
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*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
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AND HERE’S THE REST OF YOUR TOP TIPS FOR DAY 4
Turners Novices’ Chase (1:30pm) – Bob Olinger
This is the first time ever that we have had a race at the Cheltenham Festival with no British-trained runner in it. That’s amazing. I have gone round and round in my head between Galopin Des Champs and Bob Olinger and the market is even struggling to split them. It could come down to jumping and we know that Galopin Des Champs is a very good jumper.
He will make ground at the obstacles, but Bob Olinger is a very, very good horse and his ability to travel strongly through the race is assured. He just needs to improve his jumping a bit and the drying ground should help that. He might just get the better of Gallopin Des Champs in what will prove a fascinating contest.
Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (2:10pm) – Alaphilippe
Alaphilippe ran a hell of a race in the qualifier at Warwick on his seasonal debut. He is definitely a player based on run when sixth in the Grade One Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle last year. Sire du Berlais is a huge danger. Second in the Stayers’ Hurdle last year, he has won this race previously and, with Rob James taking 7lbs off his back, has to be of interest. It was a coin toss between the two and I just favour Fergal O’Brien’s runner, Alaphilippe.
WELCOME TO PADDY POWER NEWS!
Ryanair Chase (2:50pm) – Allaho
Allaho looks too good for these and it’s left to Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup winner Conflated to be the biggest danger. Shan Blue was unlucky in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby and has hasn’t run since but has been targeted at this race since then.
Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (3:30pm) – Thyme Hill
Flooring Porter is the reigning champion and his trainer Gavin Cromwell is hitting form at the right time. The concern for Flooring Porter fans is how he reacts to the crowd as Cheltenham was behind closed doors last year. He is a little bit of a nutcase and, with this being the middle race, I worry that he may blow his top with the preliminaries.
For that reason, I am going for the lightly-raced Thyme Hill who was placed in a Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle and narrowly beaten by Champ in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot earlier this season, bouncing back from a poor seasonal debut at Auteuil. He has been kept fresh for this and could be the answer for an intriguing contest.
* CLICK HERE TO GET THE CHELTENHAM WINNERS FIRST WITH OUR LIVE FAST RESULTS
Plate Handicap Chase (4:10pm) – The Glancing Queen
Trainer Alan King had his first winner at the Festival after a few years in the wilderness at Prestbury Park. He saddled 80 consecutive losers in that time at the four-day festival, until Edwardstone won the Arkle. The Glancing Queen had split L’Homme Presse and Oscar Elite (who was placed in a handicap chase on Tuesday) at Cheltenham and that is good form. Fusil Raffles would be of interest if the ground started drying out after Wednesday’s downpours.
STUDY THE CHELTENHAM FORM IN STYLE
Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (4:50pm) – Grangee (each-way)
Grangee put up her best performance on decent ground when winning the a Punchestown Festival bumper when ridden by Patrick Mullins last season. Patrick is back on board and she looks interesting at a backable each-way price.
Kim Muir Challenge Cup (5:30pm) – School Boy Hours
Noel Meade’s charge, School Boy Hours, won the Paddy Power Chase at Christmas and is probably one of the better treated Irish trained horses in this handicap chase. He’s 9lbs higher than when winning that competitive contest and that may be good enough for him to deliver again.
Mick Fitzgerald’s Cheltenham tips
Turners Novices’ Chase (1:30pm) – Bob Olinger
Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (2:10pm) – Alaphilippe
Ryanair Chase (2:50pm) – Allaho
Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (3:30pm) – Thyme Hill
Plate Handicap Chase (4:10pm) – The Glancing Queen
Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (4:50pm) – Grangee (each-way)
Kim Muir Challenge Cup (5:30pm) – School Boy Hours
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
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STILL NOT SURE WHO TO BACK? OUR CHELTENHAM QUIZ MAY HELP
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