Jane Mangan’s William Hill blog: Galopin a Premier bet in Gold Cup

Cheltenham, Friday

With Sir Gino out, MAJBOROUGH can take out the Triumph Hurdle (1.30pm). I actually thought he was the best horse in the race anyway as he was a real eyecatcher on his first start for yard, and being a son of Deep Impact he should be a strong stayer. It wasn’t the plan to make the running last time he won’t have to here.

With William Hill’s six places, I’ll take two against the field in the County Hurdle (2.10pm). The first is ZENTA who is a Grade 1-winning novice hurdler and could be nicely handicapped on that form. Chasing didn’t go to plan, but back over hurdles, she can go well here having caught the eye last time at the Dublin Racing Festival.

The other one is L’EAU DU SUD for the Skelton’s. The in-form duo have won four of the last eight renewals of this race and his run behind Iberico Lord in the Betfair Hurdle last time is very solid form.

Onto the Albert Bartlett (2.50pm) and I’ll be backing GIDLEIGH PARK for Harry Fry. He’s unbeaten and while this is his first time over the three miles, he’s from the family of Denman so he should have no issues with it and might even improve for it.

I also like LECKY WATSON at a bigger price. He’ll go really well if it turns into a slog and he could offer a bit of value.

The Gold Cup (3.30pm) looks a very deep race with three horses rated 170 or higher. Sometimes it pays to stick to the obvious and I do think GALOPIN DES CHAMPS is the most likely winner. He can confirm his superiority in this division under more positive tactics than last year and we know he definitely stays. That’s the question mark for Fastorslow and it’s a big enough one for me to leave him alone.

I expect Gentlemansgame at a gentleman’s price to follow him home for Mouse Morris.

The Irish Hunter Chase crop aren’t the strongest bunch this year and I’ll take PREMIER MAGIC at a good price to follow up in the Foxhunters (4.10pm). The other I like is SINE NOMINE for Fiona Needham. She’s an eight-year-old mare who hacked up at Wetherby by 15 lengths and could improve again.

Willie Mullins has won two of the three runnings of the Mares’ Chase (4.50pm) and I can’t get away from DINOBLUE to win it for him again. She’s a very classy mare and I’m confident she’ll stay the trip and win this nicely.

The closing Martin Pipe (5.30pm) is always very tricky, but I do think WATERFORD WHISPERS has a cracking chance. He should have plenty more to offer and looks the ideal type for this race. He can top and tail a fantastic week for Henry de Bromhead.

I’ll also be having a few quid each-way on ANSWER TO KAYF who won really well on heavy ground at Naas last time. He might not be good enough to beat Waterford Whispers, but he can still run really well here.