Cheltenham Day 4

What A Day Thursday! I tipped up Protektorat and Shakem Up`arry who both won at 17/2 and 8/1. Also, I had 4 horses placed with Ginnys Destiny (11/2), Flooring Porter (9/1), BrighterDaysAhead (8/11) and Git Maker (28/1) All coming second. My Each Way NAP of the whole week, Protektorat won very impressively for the Skelton`s. My Banker of the week, BrighterDaysAhead ran a poor race where she raced too keen. The horse should`ve been named ShitDaysAhead as i was sure it would win before and during the race. No doubt she will improve and go on to better things. There is a horse named BetterDaysAhead who runs in the 5.30 race for the same trainer, Gordan Elliot.

DAY 4 (Friday) Selections:

1.30 JCB Triumph Hurdle: 13 Runners in this race with 7 of them being trained by Willie Mullins. He has the favourite Majborough for legendary owner, JP Mc Manus. He was second to Kargese who also ran in this race at odds of 11/2. Majborough is sure to improve from its opening run and is fancied to open the final day with a winner for the Irish. Salvador Mundi is an interesting contender as he was only beaten 1.75 Lengths by ante-post favourite Sir Gino in a race in France. Since then he`s been bought by big owners and is seen as a big unknown in this open-looking race. At big odds of 16/1 Ethical Diamond looks interesting for Mullins. He will improve from his last 2 runs and could be a nice each-way bet at a big price. Ill be shocked if the winner doesn’t come from the Mullins yard, with Majborough being his best chance.

2.10 County Hurdle. With over 20 runners in this race, there’s plenty of value on the card. Top of the betting is King of Kingsfield for the Gigginstown owners. He has top-class form after he was third to Ballyburn at Leopardstown. I can imagine he will be very popular with punters as a big run is expected for the deadly combination of Elliot, Kennedy and Gigginstown. Westport Cove needs to improve a good bit to challenge in this competitive race but He`s in the Mullins camp so cant be ruled out. His Owners, the Hughes from Westport are well known in the Mayo area as they own Portwest. At 33/1 a small each-way wager could be sensible. The horse I like at odds of 25/1 is Encanto Bueno. He has won at the track previously although his recent form looks poor. He changed stables in Meath as he’s left John Mc Connell`s yard for Gavin Cromwell`s. He won nicely on debut at Cheltenham but his 2 runs since have been below par. Could He be getting his mark down and is now primed for this race? Who knows but at 25/1, it looks like he could run into a place.

2.50 Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle: Paul Nicholls trains Captain Teague here, he was third in last year’s bumper here which looks like serious form. He will be very popular at generous odds of 15/2. With extra stamina needed in this race, he will appreciate the step up in trip. The horse I like is The Jukebox Man. He was an excellent close third last time out to Captain Teague at Newbury. At odds of 18/1, I fancy him strongly each way. He`s probably huge odds as he`s trained by a small trainer in Ben Pauling. He has won 3 races which all were raced on testing ground. With conditions to suit he has to be considered.

3.30 Gold Cup. Only 11 runners in this year’s renewal. The favourite Galopin Des Champs won the race last year and will be fancied by lots. He`s too short in the betting in my view, I see FastOrSlow as better value, even though he got beat by GDC last time out, the Martin Brassil-trained horse has beat the current favourite twice previously. The Horse I fancy is the Gordon Elliot-trained Gerri Colombe. He should’ve won the brown advisory race last year and as soon as that race was over, I said he would win the Gold cup. He`s been targeted for the race for sometime now. He`s had a decent season so far although last time out, he got destroyed by Galopin Des Champs. I am going to forgive him and am still trusting the horse to win the big one for owners Robcour, who have already had 2 winners this week. Hopefully, he can relish conditions and have a big run at odds of 9/1. Last year’s Grand National winner Corach Rambler is a 12/1 chance. He has won the Ultima Handicap at the festival for the last 2 seasons so its obvious he enjoys the track. He is an interesting Contender for Lucinda Russell. Monkfish and Nassalam enjoy testing ground and they are both big odds. Nassalam bolted up in the Welsh Grand National and cannot be underestimated for Gary Moore who’s having a fantastic season.

4.10 Hunters Chase. Personally, I hate this race as low quality, old horses, and amateur jockeys are involved. The favourite It`s On The Line should win this race for the same partnership as Thursday’s last race. At 6/4 there`s little value but I expect him to win, and win well. Over 5 lengths could be the value.

4.50 Mares Chase: Dinoblue is the 6/5 favourite for Willie Mullins but I actually think his second-string Allegorie De Vassy will win this at odds of 9/2. She was very impressive last time out where she won easily at Naas. The Rich Ricci-owned mare was second in this race last year when she was favourite. With a bit of improvement, first place could well be on the cards this time around.

5.30 Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle: Although Nicky Henderson’s runners have been in shocking form the last few weeks, No Ordinary Joe has a serious chance. Last time out he caught the eye when finishing a good third. Many are saying he’s been running all season with bigger races in mind, and its this one. He was runner-up last year in the race and hopefully, he can go one better this year. At odds of 10/1, he can run a big race. Hopefully, he’s not a late non-runner for his out-of-form trainer. Teddy blue is 25/1 and could represent each-way value. He’s been running consistently this season for his in-form trainer, Gary Moore. His jumping isn’t always perfect but this often front runner could tank along on the front end and might just get into the prize money.

Friday Selections:

1.30 Majborough 3/1 and Ethical Diamond 18/1 Each Way

2.10 Encanto Bueno 25/1 Each Way

2.50 The Jukebox Man 16/1 Each Way

3.30 Gerri Colombe 9/1 and Nassalam Each Way (Especially if Rain comes)

4.10 Its On The Line 6/4, To win by 5 lengths or more 5/2

4.50 Allegorie De Vassy 9/2

5.30 No Ordinary Joe 10/1 and Teddy Blue 25/1 Each Way.

Best of Luck for the final day, Thanks for reading this over the past few days and REMEMBER TO BACK HEWICK IN THE GRAND NATIONAL.