Friday at Cheltenham always delivers excitement, and this year’s Gold Cup features Galopin Des Champs attempting another victory.
The final day of the meeting begins with the Triumph Hurdle, spotlighting four-year-olds and future stars like Sir Gino and Majborough.
The County Hurdle follows, known for its big-priced winners in the two-mile handicap while the afternoon’s second Grade 1, the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, showcases upcoming staying chasers.
The prestigious Cheltenham Gold Cup stands as the day’s highlight, before the Festival Hunters’ Chase, dubbed the ‘amateur Gold Cup,’ mirrors the Gold Cup’s distance for amateur jockeys.
The Mares’ Chase and the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle conclude the action-packed finale as the curtain comes down on the 2024 Cheltenham Festival.
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13:30 – JCB Triumph Hurdle (2m)
Sir Gino stands out as the top juvenile of the season across both the UK and Ireland.
Despite concerns surrounding the Henderson stable’s form, his triumph on Trials Day represents the season’s standout performance, both visually and on paper, making him the one to beat.
Decent each way chances are represented by Bunting for Willie Mullins and Paul Nicholls’ mount, Liari.
Pick: Sir Gino to win @ 2.50
Pick: Bunting E/W @ 17.00
14:10 – BetMGM County Handicap Hurdle (2m)
Favourite, King of Kingsfield, seems perfectly suited for this challenge and is expected to be a strong contender.
Gordon Elliott has long praised this horse’s speed, and the strategy of positioning him for a late sprint seems to be a winning formula, positioning him excellently to compete for the County Hurdle.
Meanwhile, Under Control could be on the brink of a big Cheltenham win and if conditions suit, the Nicky Henderson runner could offer each-way value.
Pick: King of Kingsfield to win @ 7.00
14:50 – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (3m)
While experience once dominated, recent years have seen victories from less seasoned contenders.
Last season, Captain Teague demonstrated his endurance by securing third place in the Champion Bumper and has since shown a keen aptitude for stamina.
Representing Paul Nicholls, he’s seen as a potential future Gold Cup contender and shouldn’t be overlooked in this race, particularly if conditions favour him.
However, favourites have a poor record in this race and Gidleigh Park has plenty of potential to cause an upset.
Pick: Captain Teague to win @ 9.00
Pick: Gidleigh Park E/W @ 9.00
15:30 – Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (3m2f)
Galopin Des Champs looks to be the one they all have to beat once more in the biggest race of the meeting, the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
He has Shishkin to deal with and a few other interesting British contenders, but is still in his prime and a repeat of last year’s performance, or his DRF romp, would surely see him become a two-time Gold Cup winner.
At a bigger price, L’Homme Presse has all the makings of a Gold Cup winner and must be respected.
Pick: Galopin Des Champs to win @ 2.25
Pick: L’Homme Presse E/W @ 13.00
16:10 – St. James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase (3m2f)
While several newcomers are capturing most of the market’s attention, Premier Magic, last year’s winner, seems to be undervalued again.
His victory at huge odds last season might lead some to dismiss it as luck, yet he clinched the win convincingly and has shown spirited performances in point-to-points this season.
Premier Magic presents an attractive each-way betting opportunity and stands a solid chance of securing back-to-back victories.
Pick: Premier Magic E/W @ 7.00
16:50 – Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase (2m4f)
Last year, Allegorie De Vassy was outpaced by a JP McManus horse, Impervious, in this very race, and there’s a feeling she might be overturned by another of McManus’s entries this time.
The horse in question is the favourite, Dinoblue, also from the Closutton stable. Dinoblue has had a commendable season over 2 miles, including a second-place finish in the previous Grand Annual.
Despite some doubts about her handling the longer distance, her inherent class and speed should be more than enough to lead her clear of the competition.
Pick: Dinoblue to win @ 2.00
17:30 – Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (2m4f)
The final race on Friday at Cheltenham presents an opportunity for a triumphant ending for one team and this year, that spotlight could shine on Nicky Henderson, as his No Ordinary Joe appears exceptionally poised to improve on last year’s performance.
Demonstrating notable enhancement this season and carrying merely a pound more without the challenge of Iroko, he stands out as a potential standout bet for JP McManus.
For the romantics, Doddiethegreat for Nicky Henderson is returning after a long injury layoff and might just provide a fairytale ending at big odds.
Pick: No Ordinary Joe to win @ 7.00
*Odds subject to change.
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