The horse racing broadcaster offers up his best bets for Friday at Cheltenham and makes his selection for the feature race of the week, the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Read on for Richard Hoiles’ top tips for Cheltenham day four. And don’t forget, new customers can get a welcome bonus of up to £/€40 in free bets when you stake £/€10 with Betway.
Whether as a single or across a Cheltenham day four accumulator, here are the picks of the day from Richard Hoiles.
Friday was always likely to be the day that defined my punting week and highlighted both the perils and the opportunities of ante‑post betting.
Having been confident from an early stage that Narciso Has would be the answer to the Triumph, the news of his setback did not go down well. It also leaves the race with a very open look, with Willie Mullins now robbed of his standout horse and seemingly unleashing en masse his remaining hopes – most of whom have had one run in France and one in Ireland. Sorting them out looks quite problematic, but preference is just for PROACTIF / , who won at Auteuil in September and then beat Macho Man at Fairyhouse. Crucially, he looked to know his job well, whereas Selma De Vary appeared very keen and may need to be dropped out to get up the hill.
In the County Hurdle, it usually pays to follow Dan Skelton, though working out the pecking order can sometimes be tricky. This time Skelton has been forced to resort to Plan D, as three more obvious candidates fell by the wayside in the build‑up to the Festival – most notably Live Conti after an eye‑catching run at Windsor. Step forward SINNATRA / , who had the requisite fifth run to qualify when a long‑odds‑on favourite at Warwick and has the unusual profile of having had five starts but none in handicap company. Dan Skelton has queried whether Sinnatra is battle‑hardened enough for a race of this type, but he certainly has the potential to progress more than many in this field.
The Skeltons have a leading chance in the Mares’ Chase as well with the admirable PANIC ATTACK / , who has taken her form to new levels this season. She began by winning two major handicaps at Cheltenham and Newbury and then jumped immaculately when winning a Listed race. This represents a further step up in class, but this field should provide sterner opposition to Dinoblue than she has faced in the last two renewals. Panic Attack may not be finished in handicaps either, as she also holds an entry in the Grand National and a good run here could see her among the Aintree favourites.
15:20 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
The Albert Bartlett has seen THEDEVILUNO / steadily shorten in the market over the last few weeks since he was put up ante‑post after his win at Doncaster. He was unsuited by the steady pace when beaten by Doctor Steinberg at Navan, and while I was hoping the Doc would head for the Turners, the greater test of stamina here should allow Thedeviluno to turn the tables. Plenty of potential lurkers could improve for the step up in trip, but Thedeviluno may have a touch of class.
The feature race of the week sees a competitive renewal of the Gold Cup, whose market resembles a handicap rather than a Grade 1. A bunch finish in the King George sees three of the first four home line up again, with Gaelic Warrior flying the Mullins flag, Fact To File heading for the Ryanair, and sadly Galopin Des Champs retired after a setback. After gaining something of a bad‑boy image early in his career, he has arguably been the most consistent performer in major staying chases this season, but doubts remain about him getting up the hill.
The two that make most appeal are THE JUKEBOX MAN / and, at a bigger price, Spillane’s Tower / . The Jukebox Man was just touched off in the Albert Bartlett but deserved extra credit for pulling the King George out of the fire, having looked likely to finish no closer than third on landing after the last. Spillane’s Tower had his season disrupted last year through other JP McManus runners taking preference or the ground drying up. If the forecast Thursday rain arrives, conditions should be ideal. He should not be underestimated having won a falsely‑run Cotswold Chase quite snugly.
Grey Dawning was not seen to best effect that day, but his jumping has let him down late on several occasions, while Haiti Couleurs disappointed at Haydock and raises the question of whether he can dominate a Grade 1 field the same way he dictates handicaps. Last year’s Arkle winner, Jango Baie, needs to jump more fluently early on than in the King George, especially as this race is likely to be run at a stronger pace than Kempton. Another race that typifies the open nature of this year’s Festival and should provide a cracking contest.
16:40 Princess Royal Hunters’ Chase
The final two races come slightly after the Lord Mayor’s Show, but PANDA BOY / has won both his Hunter Chases having been a useful handicap chaser in his pomp, and could give John Gleeson a second Festival winner.
17:20 Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle
In the Martin Pipe, SA FUREUR / appeals as a speculative play, having twice been sent off favourite at the Festival in the past. Gordon Elliott targets this race and saddles four runners, with Wendrock also a plausible candidate at a decent price. He was winless in the first half of this year’s Festival, but the same was true last year until Wodhooh – favourite for the Mares’ on Thursday – won this very race.
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