It’s finally Gold Cup day at Cheltenham Festival, after a thrilling week that’s had it all.
Let’s take a look ahead to the day’s action, previewing the favourites, outside picks and anything else worth knowing.
The JCB Triumph Hurdle – 13:30
Kicking off today’s action, and all eyes are on Blood Destiny and Lossiemouth. Hailing from Willie Mullin’s stable, both horses will no doubt be in contention coming over the final hurdle.
Odds sit at 2/1 for Blood Destiny and 7/4 for Lossiemouth with Gala Marceau also in with a shout at 9/2.
The McCoy Contractors County Handicap Hurdle Race – 14:10
Next up, we’ve got a fiercely contested race, with Pembroke the slight favourite at 5/1.
Filey Bay comes in at 7/1 with Willie Mullins’ Hunters Yarn at 15/2.
With Mullins looking to win this race for a seventh time as a trainer, he’ll be hoping to come out on top in a packed lineup.
The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle Race – 14:50
The favourite for the race before the feature is none other than Corbetts Cross, jockeyed by Mark Walsh and trained by Emmet Mullins, the horse sits at 11/4 odds on Racing Post.
Three Card Brag sits close behind at 6/1 odds and Hiddenvalley Lake follows with 7/1.
Three Card Brag is not an extremely obvious favourite with trainer Gordon Elliott and rider A P Heskin, but Hiddenvalley Lake has fan favourite Rachel Blackmore in the saddle, and is trained by Henry De Bromhead.
The 12 hurdle race is sure to be a close one, with the going being so soft and a total of 20 runners on the track.
The Gold Cup – 15:30
With Racing Post odds of 13/8, Galopin Des Champs is by far the favourite for the climactic feature race of day four.
Trained by the famous Willie Mullins, and jockeyed by Paul Townend, this is a team truly worthy of the Gold Cup, and an extremely strong contender for the win.
A Plus Tard is another possible winner with 9/2 odds on Racing Post, jockeyed by Rachel Blackmore and trained by Henry De Bromhead.
Sitting with 13/2 odds, Bravemansgame is the third favourite of the ultimate race, trained by Paul Nicholls and jockeyed by Harry Cobden.
St James’s Place Hunters’ Chase – 16:10
Vaucelet sits as the current favourite for the Hunters’ Chase, with 11/4 odds the horse is rode by Mr B O’Neill and trained by D M Christie.
The horse is followed directly behind by both Billaway and Famous Clermont who sit at tied odds on Racing Post: 7/1.
Billaway trained by the decorated Willie Mullins and jockeyed by Mr P W Mullins, the horse is a true contender.
Alternatively, Famous Clermont sits on even odds with Billaway, but is trained by C R Barber, and rode by Mr William Biddick.
Mares Chase – 16:50
Allegorie De Vassy sits as the favourite of this race, with 15/8 odds Paul Townend is back atop another Willie Mullins horse, a similar recipe of success as in the Gold Cup, just a different horse.
Tied in odds with Allegorie is Impervious, trained by C A Murphy and saddled by Brian Hayes, the mare also sits at 15/8 odds for the chase.
Third favourite is not to be scoffed at however, jockeyed by the famous Rachel Blackmore, and trained by Henry De Bromhead, Magic Daze sits at 15/2 odds on Racing Post.
Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle – 17:30
In the final race of the day, the last ten hurdles of the festival, Cool Survivor sits at the top of the odds with 9/2.
Cool Survivor is to be jockeyed by Sam Ewing and was trained by Gordon Elliott.
We are half way through the 2023 @CheltenhamRaces festival. Huge thank you to my wonderful team for keeping the show on the road here and at home 🔥
— Gordon Elliott (@gelliott_racing) March 16, 2023
🎥 @rvn_management pic.twitter.com/jAzdqqao9N
The second favourite of the hurdle is Iroko, jockeyed by Aidan Kelly and trained by Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, the odds are 11/2 in favour of the stallion.
Sitting comfortably in third is Imagine with 13/2 odds on Racing Post, jockeyed by Gordon Elliott, just like Cool Survivor, and jockeyed by Ben Harvey.
