The Betway ambassador runs through the final day of the Festival and offers his top tips, including his view of the Gold Cup.
13:30 TRIUMPH HURDLE
Sir Gino’s late defection is a real shame, though I would have been keen to oppose the long-time ante-post favourite even if his yard had not been under a cloud. Majborough / actually ran to a higher level on his first start for Willie Mullins than Sir Gino did at Kempton on his debut for Nicky Henderson and if he can make a similar level of improvement from run one to two he should be very hard to beat. Storm Heart didn’t enjoy the run of the race when third there and I think both horses can turn the tables on the winner Kargese. The unbeaten Salver isn’t out of it either.
14:10 COUNTY HANDICAP HURDLE
Competitive as ever, and my two against the field are Absurde / and Magical Zoe / . The Ebor winner must be feared after an encouraging fourth at the Dublin racing festival and can turn things around with King of Kingsfield, who was one place in front of him there. Magical Zoey was only overhauled late in a valuable handicap at the same fixture and is worth another chance back at the scene of her fine second in the 2023 mares novice hurdle.
14:50 ALBERT BARTLETT NOVICES’ HURDLE
Readin Tommy Wrong looks the pick of the Mullins contingent and looks sure to go well but while he hasn’t achieved as much I like Gidleigh Park / each way here. Harry Fry has a bit of previous in this race and will already be feeling good about swerving Ballyburn in Wednesday’s opener to come here instead. His imposing youngster did well to get himself out of a hole here last time and is surely capable of more than he has shown to date.
15:30 GOLD CUP
Opposition to last year’s brilliant winner Galopin Des Champs / has been falling away in recent days and everything points to him retaining his crown. His performance in the Savills Chase was just about as good as it gets and it was a case of ‘job done’ in the Irish Gold Cup last time. Old rival Fastorslow was given a rather negative ride that day and should make more of a race of it this time at least but it is hard to see the form being reversed. I can’t see anything else getting in amongst the big two.
16:10 FOXHUNTERS CHALLENGE CUP
Ferns Lock is a very classy type but is he too classy for a marathon trip in testing ground? I would love to see him win for top man David Christie but the ultra-tough IT’S ON THE LINE / might just be too strong up the hill. He was clearly keeping a bit back for himself at Naas, picking up again when Billaway came to him after the last.
16:50 MARES’ CHASE
DINOBLUE / is the outstanding candidate but I’m a little wary about taking a short price about her over this trip. Allegorie De Vassy and Limerick Lace are both coming into this on the crest of a wave and should provide the market leader with a stiff examination.
17:30 MARTIN PIPE HANDICAP HURDLE
Quai De Bourbon has been all the talk in the run up to the festival and could easily be a handicap blot but WATERFORD WHISPERS / is definitely ahead of his mark in my book and is worth supporting against him. Henry de Bromhead’s promising gelding has come forward with every start and probably should have won at Leopardstown last time. His Fairyhouse victim Answer To Kayf has done very well in the interim and has place prospects.
