The final afternoon of action from the Cotswolds means only one thing, it is Cheltenham Gold Cup Day, as the best in the business bid to land the most sought after prize in National Hunt racing.
The Gold Cup will see Galopin Des Champs bidding to join the greats as a three-time winner and there's a superb supporting card, starting with the Triumph Hurdle, as they race again at Cheltenham from 1.20-5.20 on Friday.
1.20 - JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1, 2m1f)
This four-year-old Grade 1 contest has drawn a strong field of 18 runners but, in many eyes, it could be a three-way scrap between Hello Neighbour, Lulamba and EAST INDIA DOCK.
Hello Neighbour won the Grade 1 for juveniles at last month's Dublin Racing Festival and could have more to offer for trainer Gavin Cromwell.
Lulamba impressed at Ascot on debut for Nicky Henderson in January, beating the re-opposing Mondo Man, though the runner-up was a bit disappointing next time. It’s worth noting that Henderson has won this race more times than anyone else.
East India Dock is a son of Epsom Derby winner Golden Horn and his flat-speed has been superbly transitioned to jumping hurdles by James Owen and Sam Twiston-Davies this season. He's 3-3 over timber, with two wins here already, and if he's in the mix jumping the last he should have too many guns up the hill.
The trio are unbeaten over hurdles but so are Blue Lemons, Gibbs Island and Charlus, while Sainte Lucie is surely better than she indicated at Leopardstown last month, and could rebound under Danny Mullins, as his uncle bids to win this race for the fifth time in six years.
SELECTION: EAST INDIA DOCK
NEXT BEST: SAINTE LUCIE
2.00 – County Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap, 2m1f)
Between them, Willie Mullins and Dan Skelton have sent out nine of the 10 winners in this race, the Irishman just edging their own personal duel.
This time, Skelton has a possible improver in Valgrand but Mullins has a quartet of contenders and they are headlined by KARGESE. The mare was second in the Triumph Hurdle on this card last year. She then finished second to Sir Gino at Aintree and on either side of those efforts, she won Grade 1 juveniles at the Dublin Racing Festival and Punchestown.
We've only seen her once this season and a lack of match practice may have caught her out, when second behind Take No Chances in a Grade 2 at Ascot in January. The winner made the frame in the Mares' Hurdle here on Tuesday. A mark of 141 looks very plausible for Kargese and Paul Townend has deserted last year's winner Absurde to be with her.
If this step up in trip suits, Norman Fletcher could outrun massive odds for Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies, while Hansard is coming to the boil once more after three runs this season and last month's Kingwell third at Wincanton reads rather well now, given the pair that beat him finished first and second in the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday.
SELECTION: KARGESE
NEXT BEST: HANSARD
Mares' Chase (Grade 2, 2m4½f)
Irish trainers have won all five renewals of this so far and it isn't a stretch to see further domination.
Dinoblue has finished second at the last two Festivals here, including behind Limerick Lace in this last time. Willie Mullins' mare is the market leader now, while last year's heroine has completely lost her way and Gavin Cromwell admits he's far from certain why.
Dinoblue narrowly edged out stablemate ALLEGORIE DE VASSY at Naas over 2m last time. Hold-up tactics didn't appear to suit the latter in this race last year and it would be no shock if Paul Townend forces the issue now. She's very good at her best, routing Limerick Lace on New Year's Day, and is preferred at the prices over Dinoblue.
Plenty of the others have reasons to doubt them. Shecouldbeanything has been given a short break by Gordon Elliott and while the Cheltenham hill is a minor concern, she might provide some each-way value.
SELECTION: ALLEGORIE DE VASSY
NEXT BEST: SHECOULDBEANYTHING
3.20 - Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1, 3m)
This looks a wide open renewal of this attritional Grade 1 novice contest. The Big Westerner is 2-2 under Rules for Henry De Bromhead and won a Grade 2 at Limerick over Christmas, form that is solid.
Willie Mullins fires six at this, though the champion trainer is not inclined to send his brightest prospects this way so early in their careers. Jasmin De Vaux won the Champion Bumper here last term but hasn't ignited this time, so Fishery Lane under Sean O'Keefe could be best of the Closutton crew for now.
French raider Jet Blue scored over course and distance in December and is shortlisted, while Wingmen is a rock-solid contender for Gordon Elliott. He has course experience and has mixed with some top novices in Ireland this season.
DERRYHASSEN PADDY may give Lucinda Russell more Festival success this week. He's unbeaten so far, winning a bumper at Ayr and hurdles races at Uttoxeter and Windsor (3m).
He did well to navigate the tight confines of the Berkshire track last time, and showed a willing attitude to battle for success. This place promises to suit him well and he might be much shorter if he were housed in a more glamourous establishment.
SELECTION: DERRYHASSEN PADDY
NEXT BEST: WINGMEN
4.00 - Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1, 3m2½f)
This is a race that revolves around the hat-trick seeking GALOPIN DES CHAMPS. He's landed successive renewals for Mullins and Townend without major fuss and his two Leopardstown wins since Christmas, suggest he's better than ever.
In fact, save for Punchestown, he's unbeaten bar a fall as a novice here in 2022, when the race was at his mercy. He can join Best Mate as the only two horses since the great Arkle to win this race three times.
Banbridge is a key danger on paper, but there is a stamina query beside his name for all that he finished off so well over 3m in winning the King George at Kempton. He'd have to be in Kauto Star's league to prove as efficient now at this increased trip, and he almost certainly isn't that.
The Real Whacker is probably being dismissed too easily in the betting, for a place at least, while Inothewayurthinkin was fourth in last month's Irish Gold Cup and Monty's Star – a neck behind him in fifth at Leopardstown – may relish this extra quarter-of-a-mile for Henry De Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore.
SELECTION: GALOPIN DES CHAMPS
NEXT BEST: MONTY'S STAR
4.40 - St. James's Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase (3m2½f)
The Gold Cup for amateur riders comes next. Its On The Line has twice finished second in this and should go well again, but perhaps his ship has sailed.
Ryehill comes here in rude health for Ross O'Sullivan and beat the likes of Ontheropes and Its On The Line readily last month and he is a player.
Plan Of Attack is a veteran now but has run very well here in the past and won a point-to-point at Punchestown last month. He'll be a big price.
Paul Nicholls has earmarked this contest for Shearer, as the Ditcheat trainer eyes a record success but WILLITGOAHEAD makes appeal having switched to Gordon Elliott, winning at Thurles in January. A prolific winning pointer, he has scope for better under Rules and looked to be going places with that win last time.
SELECTION: WILLITGOAHEAD
NEXT BEST: SHEARER
5.20 - Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle (2m4f)
Kopeck De Mee has yet to run for Willie Mullins but even the dogs on the street are alert to the fact he may be well handicapped. His chance is there for all to see.
East India Express for Nicky Henderson is a lively player after wins at Ascot and Kempton before Christmas and a break since, but Henry De Bromhead can sign off the meeting with another score via TAPONTHEGO.
His Tipperary maiden win in November has been handsomely advertised since by the runner up and he was last spotted finishing third behind William Munny, in Listed company at Punchestown last month.
That rival took home a silver medal from the Supreme Novices' here on Tuesday and an opening mark of 135 might not stop him.
SELECTION: TAPONTHEGO
NEXT BEST: EAST INDIA EXPRESS
