For many, the fourth and final day of the Cheltenham Festival is the most exciting and important day for punters.
The Cheltenham Gold Cup has been the main event for the racehorse event since 1924 as the week ends with the penultimate race.
Day three of Cheltenham yesterday did see a legendary trainer make history, as Ireland’s Willie Mullins secured his 82nd winner with Alaho in the Ryanair Chase. Another one of Mullins’ horses, Janidil, placed 2nd in the same race.
There was drama in the first race of yesterday’s proceedings too. Galopin des Champs looked a certainty to win the Turners Novices Chase with one hurdle to go by several lengths; in spectacular fashion, the horse fell allowing Bob Olinger to take the win right at the end.
There were also wins for Third Wind, Flooring Porter, Coole Cody, Love Envoi and Chambard.
‘Let’s Talk Racing’ duo Andrew Blair White and Joshua Stacey break down every race of the final race at Cheltenham giving their tips and opinions on who they believe will be the big winners.
Starting with the Gold Cup at 15:30, the starting price favourite is A Plus Tard followed by Galvin and last year’s winner Minella Indo.
Always a tricky race to back a firm winner, Stacey has sided with the Gordon Elliott trained Galvin.
“I quite like Galvin in the Gold Cup”, said Stacey. “I didn’t expect him to win any of those 3 mile races around Leopardstown. He did beat A Plus Tard, I didn’t expect him to have the speed to do that… I was very encouraged..
“He’s got Davy Russell on board, the two extra furlongs will be right up his street, but it’s hard to see where the pace is going to come from in this race.”
With Stacey backing Galvin, Blair White is intrigued by A Plus Tard but has his scepticism about the horse and has ultimately backed a horse he has a strong connection with.
Blair White stated: “Very open race, could go any which way. A Plus Tard has been a very good horse but hasn’t quite managed to get it done in these big grade one’s at Cheltenham.
“I have obviously backed Al Boum Photo, I think he’s got a chance of filling the frame. But he is vulnerable to younger legs at this stage. He was the O.G horse of me and my budding YouTube career, so I’ve always got to stick him beside me.”
In the days opening race at 13:30, the Triumph Hurdle see’s a rematch between Vauban and Pied Piper. Vauban is the slight favourite ahead of Pied Piper, but Stacey is picking Elliott’s horse.
Stacey stated: “If you were to pin me down, I would just say Pied Piper. I just like the fact he’s been to Cheltenham already, he’s been around the course.”
Blair White coincidentally is looking the other way and backing Vauban to pip Pied Piper to the finish line.
“If you were to put a gun to my head I would probably say Vauban. I know Pied Piper did it so impressively at Cheltenham, I just wonder what he’s beaten.”
There are also a plethora of races taking place this Friday at Cheltenham which hopes to cap off a brilliant week for racing.
