Cheltenham Placepot picks: Expert selections for all six Gold Cup day races

It’s Gold Cup day at Cheltenham, where Al Boum Photo is bidding to add his name to an exclusive list of horses who have won the Blue Riband event of the meeting three times. The Triumph Hurdle and Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle are also on an excellent card for the final day for the Festival.

Expert John Hill plundered the Tote Placepot with winning perms for each of the first two days of the Festival. Check out his picks for the Gold Cup day Placepot below followed by the analysis behind his selections. 

Cheltenham Festival Tote Placepot picks — Friday

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Cheltenham Festival Tote Placepot picks — Friday

Race 1: Cheltenham 1.20

Zanahiyr is unbeaten in three starts over hurdles and has progressed with each of those runs. The Irish horse could be another huge star from Ireland along with Appreciate It and Bob Olinger.

The vibes ahead of this meeting have all been strong about Zanahiyr so take Denise Foster’s runner to get you off to a good start on Gold Cup Day.

Selection: No 7 Zanahiyr

Race 2: Cheltenham 1.55

Dan Skelton has an excellent record in the County Hurdle, saddling the winner in three of the last five renewals. He is represented here by Third Time Lucki, who was fourth in last season’s Champion Bumper and has a great chance off today’s mark.

You Raised Me Up has won on his last two outings. He continues to improve this season and a hat-trick can’t be ruled out, particularly as the ground dries out. 

Selections: No 10 Third Time Lucki, No 12 You Raised Me Up

Race 3: Cheltenham 2.30

It’s a wide-open Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle this year and a case can be made for many of these novices. Torygraph is one of those and must be on any shortlist as he has improved since he stepped up in trip on his last two appearances. He looks to be the pick of the Irish runners in the race.

Barbados Buck’s is the best of the British runners. Paul Nicholls’ charge, who carries the same silks as the legend Big Buck’s, has won his last three races. This is obviously a big step up in class but he deserves his shot as he is a young horse who looks capable of big things.

Selections: No 4 Barbados Buck’s, No 16 Torygraph

Race 4: Cheltenham 3.05

Al Boum Photo is on the brink of joining Arkle and Best Mate as a three-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner and it’s hard to look past the defending champion. Willie Mullins’ runner is not a flashy horse, but what we do know is that he gets up the hill well at Cheltenham so he can’t be opposed.

Native River is the highest-rated British horse in training at the moment and after his victory in the Cotswold Chase, the 2018 winner must not be discounted from producing another big run here.

Selections: No 1 Al Boum Photo, No 10 Native River

Race 5: Cheltenham 3.40

Billaway had to settle for second place in this race 12 months ago but he may be able to go one better this time around. The Irish horse has had an excellent season, with victories at Down Royal and Naas, and with Paul Townend in the saddle he will be tough to beat.

Bob And Co has three wins from four starts in hunter chases. The 10-year-old blew the field away at Haydock last time in his first run back after wind surgery and is the biggest threat to Billaway.

Selections: No 1 Billaway, No 2 Bob And Co

Race 6: Cheltenham 4.15

The 2m 4½f Mares’ Chase is the newest race to be added to the Cheltenham Festival and it is a welcome addition. Connections of Elimay could have run their horse in the Ryanair Chase, however, they have opted for their runner to take on her own sex in what is an easier option.

Elimay was second to Allaho at Thurles before she defeated Shattered Love at Naas on her latest appearance. She has the pick of the form of these runners and is the one to beat.

Selection: No 2 Elimay

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