Gavin Cromwell
Gavin Cromwell’s William Hill blog: Cheltenham Day Four preview
William Hill ambassador Gavin Cromwell talks through his runners for the fourth and final day of this year’s Cheltenham Festival.
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Friday, Cheltenham
We have two Grade One runners on Friday, kicking off with Hello Neighbour in the Triumph Hurdle (1.20pm). He travelled across well and we’re happy with him and looking forward to taking on the British runners.
His last two performances have given us every reason to be confident in him and he’s trained well since his win at the Dublin Racing Festival. We’ve got very few form lines to draw with him and the English horses at the top of the market, so we’ll just have to see how it goes on the day and we’re looking forward to it.
Pinot Gris will run in the William Hill County Hurdle (2.00pm) but the hike he took in the weights, which we thought was harsh, means it’ll be a tough task for him. That said, there is only one Cheltenham Festival and we want to let him take his chance. Hopefully he can run into the money.
We saddle two runners in the Mares’ Chase (2.40pm), including last year’s winner Limerick Lace. She hasn’t been at her best this season but she’s been working well and we’re happy with her. The fact she’s disappointed on both her starts this season has to be a concern but she obviously has lots of ability, which she showed in this last year. We’ve put cheekpieces on her so hopefully she’ll show up.
Our other runner is Brides Hill who, although she’s been beaten on her two starts this season, is in good form. I think she’s come on for that and the better ground will definitely suit her. We’re hoping she’ll run well.
At the moment Brides Hill is probably the more trustworthy of the two but you can’t disregard the fact that Limerick Lace has all the ability and class to win this race.
Je T’Ai Porte is a big outsider but she’ll take her chance. Finishing in the places is probably her best hope because she’s just not good enough to win a Grade 2. That said, she’s a good horse in her own right and could have a place chance if things fall her way.
Our second Grade One contender of the day is Inothewayurthinkin in the Gold Cup. We supplemented him for the race with him being in great form at home. He’s come forward plenty from his run in the Irish Gold Cup where he was only seven lengths back from Galopin Des Champs.
With a clear round of jumping, we really think he can make a race of it. I don’t even necessarily think that we need things to go wrong for Galopin Des Champs for us to beat him. He’s come forward plenty since the last day and I’m hoping he can put it up to the favourite.
The only concern with him is the ground. We’re hoping it’ll be well-watered because if it dries out and it’s bordering on good being in the description then we may not run him.
