Horse racing predictions: Friday’s Cheltenham tips
The fourth and final day of the Cheltenham Festival features three more Grade 1 races, the Triumph Hurdle, the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle and the blue-riband event of the week, the Cheltenham Gold Cup at 3.30pm.
We have selections for all seven races on the card and they include two winners from last year’s Festival who are bidding to repeat the feat.
Cheltenham racing tips – Friday March 15
Clive Gildon has recommendations for all seven races today and you can read the analysis behind his selections below.
Add these tips directly to your bet slip by clicking on each pick.
Odds correct at time of publishing and subject to change.
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1.30 Cheltenham – Triumph Hurdle
Nicky Henderson’s belated decision to withdraw Sir Gino has completed a Festival to forget for the trainer and changed the complexion of this race. Willie Mullins now has the top three in the betting in Majborough, Storm Heart and KARGESE. Our selection was an unlucky second at Leopardstown over Christmas but gained compensation last time out when winning the Grade 1 Spring Juvenile Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival and the mares’ 7lb allowance is a big factor in her favour.
Selection: Kargese @ 13/2 with BetMGM
2.10 Cheltenham – County Handicap Hurdle
This is usually one of the most competitive handicaps of the week but KING OF KINGSFIELD could be a Grade 1 winner in the making on the evidence of the form he has shown this season. He bolted up in a maiden hurdle at Leopardstown at Christmas before finishing third behind Slade Steel and Ballyburn at the Dublin Racing Festival. He could be very well treated off a mark of 140.
Selection: King Of Kingsfield @ 9/2 with BetMGM
2.50 Cheltenham – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
This race often goes to a horse with plenty of experience and the steadily progressive DANCING CITY fits the bill. He followed up a maiden hurdle success at Navan to land a Grade 1 contest at the Dublin Racing Festival last month and, although he was the outsider of the six runners that day, there was no fluke about that effort. On form he should probably be the outright favourite for this.
Selection: Dancing City @ 5/1 with BetMGM
3.30 Cheltenham – Gold Cup
Last year’s winner GALOPIN DES CHAMPS has already got the better of most of this field at some stage in his career and he will be hard to beat in his bid for back-to-back successes. After bolting up in the Grade 1 Savills Chase at Leopardstown after Christmas, he then dealt with his main market rival, Fastorslow, with the minimum of fuss in the Irish Gold Cup. He should prove to be a cut above his rivals once again with a clear round.
Selection: Galopin Des Champs @ 11/10 with BetMGM
4.10 Cheltenham – St. James’s Place Hunters’ Chase
Forty minutes after Galopin Des Champs’ win last year, PREMIER MAGIC put his rivals to the sword in this race and he has been underestimated in his bid for a second win in the race. He won’t be 66-1 this time but there’s an argument to say he should definitely be nearer the front of the market given that he arrives in fine form after a two point-to-point wins. Expect him to be there at the finish again.
Selection: Premier Magic @ 6/1 with BetMGM
4.50 Cheltenham – Mares’ Chase
Dinoblue is a worthy favourite but there’s nothing attractive about her price and it may be worth looking for an each-way alternative. MARSH WREN fits the bill. She’s as game as a pebble and landed a Listed race on an Irish raid at Thurles last time when managing to make all the running. This is clearly tougher but she might be capable of hitting the frame given her attitude.
Selection: Marsh Wren @ 22/1 with BetMGM
5.30 Cheltenham – Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle
This Festival finale is usually won by a horse on its way to bigger things and QUAI DE BOURBON has an obvious chance for a yard that won this with Galopin Des Champs a few years ago. Unbeaten in two starts over hurdles since joining the Irish champion trainer, she is improving with every run.
Selection: Quai De Bourbon @ 3/1 with BetMGM
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