*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
Triumph Hurdle (13:30) – Vauban
The Irish trained juveniles at the top of the market have all shown a high level of form so far but its VAUBAN I think possesses the most class. A Listed winner on the flat in France he was beaten half a length on his hurdles debut by market rival Pied Piper before winning the Grade 1 Spring Juvenile Hurdle last time out.
The acceleration he showed that day despite racing a little free in the early part of the race showed his raw brilliance and I think with two starts no under his belt he will take another step forward here again.
County Hurdle (14:10) – West Cork
Trainer Dan Skelton has won this race three times in the past six years and looks to have laid one out for the race in second season hurdler WEST CORK. A high class novice season was followed by a spell on the sidelines after which he landed the Greatwood Hurdle here at Cheltenham defying a 631 day absence in the process.
A subsequent run at Ascot in December when finishing fifth to Tritonic in Grade 3 company may have come too soon for him but meant his mark remained on 141. He’s been kept fresh for the race since and looks like a horse that could have plenty in hand back at a track that suits and for a trainer who has farmed this race in recent years.
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Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle (14:50) – Ginto
A real clash between the UK and Ireland at the top of the market with prolific winners Hillcrest representing the Henry Daly stable and Gordon Elliottt’s unbeaten Ginto flying the flag for Ireland. Whilst Hillcrest boasts a compelling profile which includes a victory here at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day, his win at Haydock last time on heavy ground may just have knocked the stuffing out of a horse that has had a busy campaign to date.
As a result I’ll side with an equally likeable horse in GINTO who I think has been crying out for this trip. He’s tactically versatile having shown he can tough it out from the front last time and this big long striding horse can gallop his rivals into submission today.
Cheltenham Gold Cup (15:30) – A Plus Tard
A wide open Gold Cup in which the lack of an obvious pacesetter in the race throws a spanner in the works for the strong staying former National Hunt Chase winner Galvin and last year’s title holder Minella Indo. The forecast emphasis on finishing speed may then play into the hands of last year’s runner up A PLUS TARD who we know has enough boot to have put Chacun Pour Soi to the sword over two miles in his younger days, before proving he can also travel with the fluency required for this staying trip.
The stable’s horses were under a cloud when he was beaten by Galvin in the Lexus Chase at Christmas with things not necessarily going his way on the day. But if the A Plus Tard that bounded around Haydock to annihilate Royal Pagaille by 22 lengths in the Betfair Chase turns up I think he’s got a good chance of going one better this year.
St James’ Place Festival Hunter Chase (16:10) – Bob And Co
Well fancied last year for this race and travelling well when tipping up three out under David Maxwell, BOB AND CO can make amends this year for his popular owner-jockey.
Exuberant in his early days, the Paul Nicolls-trained contender has really matured and settled to make him a fairly tractable proposition now and with a light campaign this season, presumably with this race in mind, I fancy him to hand popular amateur Maxwell a first Festival winner.
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Mrs Paddy Power Mares Chase (16:50) – Elimay
Elimay and the fellow Gordon Elliott trained Colreevy provided one of the finishes of the week in this race last year with Elimay conceding a last gasp defeat to her tough stablemate.
This season she lost little in defeat behind rival Mount Ida in Grade 3 company at Fairyhouse putting in a costly jumping error but a straightforward dominant win at Naas since will have put her back on track for another crack at going one better this time round.
Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle (17:30) – Hollow Games
Gordon Elliott loves to target the race named after his great mentor Martin Pipe and he fields a really strong challenge again this year in a bid to get on the roll of honour for the third time.
With a strong fancy for Ginto in the Albert Bartlett, the form of HOLLOW GAMES who finished behind that rival at Naas in January can be seen in a positive light and his subsequent run at the Dublin Racing Festival when a close up third in Grade 1 company does little to temper enthusiasm. His mark looks fair here for what is his handicap debut. He’s an improving horse and I fancy him to land the last race under Jordan Gainford.
Cheltenham Day 4 tips from Gina Bryce
- Triumph Hurdle (13:30) – Vauban
- County Hurdle (14:10) – West Cork
- Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle (14:50) – Ginto
- Cheltenham Gold Cup (15:30) – A Plus Tard
- St James’ Place Festival Hunter Chase (16:10) – Bob And Co
- Mrs Paddy Power Mares Chase (16:50) – Elimay
- Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle (17:30) – Hollow Games
*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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