Cheltenham Festival

Cheltenham Day 4 Tips: Willie Mullins Ends Festival On A High

2 hours ago

| BY Steve Mullington

The focus of the fourth day, and ultimately the week, is the Cheltenham Gold Cup itself.

Run over three miles and two furlongs, this is the pinnacle prize in National Hunt racing, with the winner taking home the magnificent Gold trophy.

1.20pm The JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m

Last September, a three-year-old son of Masked Marvel won by six lengths going away in an 18-runner field at Auteuil, looking like a very forward horse based on that run alone. That horse was PROACTIF and JP McManus quickly snapped him up for a six figure sum.

The four-year-old won his opening hurdle at Fairyhouse with ease, and a big Triumph run is on the cards.

2.00pm The William Hill County Handicap Hurdle 2m

You’d be absolutely ABSURDE to leave the Willie Mullins’ globetrotter out of your William Hill sponsored County Hurdle deliberations this year.

The County Hurdle is as competitive a handicap as any at the Festival, but did you know that nine of the last ten County Hurdles have been won by either Willie Mullins or Dan Skelton?

Third behind Kargese in this last year, all the omens are there given what the aforementioned did earlier in the week.

2.40pm The Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase (Grade 2) 2m 4f

DINOBLUE’s record totally speaks for itself, with the gallant mare winning 11 of her 23 career starts. including the Mares’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last season.

She’s clearly the one they have to beat on all known form and she will be included in many a horse racing betting accumulator this week.

3.20pm The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 3m

Paul Nolan’s novice THEDEVILUNO was a very impressive winner of the River Don at Doncaster, building on an excellent record back in Ireland.

The only horse to have beaten him this season is Mullins’ Doctor Steinberg at Navan and the pair will be locking horns again over this three mile trip.

4.00pm The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (Grade 1) 3m 2f

After tremendous wins in last season’s National Hunt Chase and the Irish Grand National, HAITI COULEURS looks well on course to do himself justice in the biggest handicap chase of them all – the Gold Cup.

This season has seen victories arrive in both the Welsh National and the Denman Chase, and the nine-year-old is an good all round staying chaser.

Of the others, don’t be surprised if Inothewayurthinkin suddenly reverses his fortunes this season.

4.40pm The St James’s Place Festival Hunters’ Chase 3m 2f

Trainer Faye Bramley has already enjoyed some successes with Willie Mullins’ veteran “cast-offs” and STATTLER is another old boy who can play his part in this Hunter Chase.

The eleven-year-old jumped with aplomb at Fakenham, and has had some further form boosted by Snipe. At odds of 14/1, he’s one for the each-way backers out there.

5.20pm The Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle 2m 4f

Following a strong performance behind Mighty Park at Fairyhouse, and then another behind El Cairos at Thurles, the money should come for ROC DINO in the Martin Pipe Hurdle.

On a competitive mark of 11st 2lb (131), the Doctor Dino-gelding looks a decent bet, especially in our extra places market.