Cheltenham Festival race card, tips and betting preview for Gold Cup Day
THE eyes of the racing world will be on Cheltenham on Gold Cup day.
There are the usual mix of top Grade 1 contests and fiercely competitive handicaps - so we have got stuck in.
CHELTENHAM LIVE: Follow ALL of the results from the festival
Race 1 - 1.30 JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1)
A cracking renewal with some top-class prospects going head-to-head.
Solo was a runaway winner on his British debut when landing the Adonis at Kempton in fantastic style.
But that form is suspect and he will need to take a step forward again here against some top-notchers.
Race 3 - 2.50 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1)
A very deep renewal of this race.
This had looked at the mercy of THYME HILL for much of the winter, but he will have a task on his hands to keep his winning run going.
However, there is a good chance the step up to 3m will unlock further improvement so he gets a tentative nod.
Latest Exhibition isn't opposed lightly, and he looks tailor made for this contest judged on his gutsy Grade 1 victory at Leopardstown.
He is a big danger, as is Fury Road, who was fourth behind Latest Exhibition last time. If you forgive him that run he has the form to play a part.
Harry Senior won in the style of a stayer here on Trials Day and should relish this step up in trip, while Monkfish and Ramses De Teillee add further spice to a brilliant contest.
SELECTION: Thyme Hill
DANGER: Latest Exhibition
Race 4 - 3.30 Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup (Grade 1)
A fascinating Gold Cup in which a case can be made for several of the runners.
Delta Work has been in red-hot form this winter, but he had a ding-dong battle with Kemboy and Presenting Percy just over 30 days ago and there is a concern that race may have left a mark.
Lostintranslation was superb when beating Bristol De Mai on his patch at Haydock in the Betfair Chase but he bombed out in the King George.
If you put a line through that run he wouldn't be without a squeak having undergone a wind op, though the Tizzard horses have been quite flat this week.
Santini stayed on strongly to win the Cotswold Chase on Trials Day and Nicky Henderson is adamant he wants better ground. But this is his toughest test to date and he is short enough.
Reigning champ Al Boum Photo arrives nice and fresh after a light campaign and has an obvious chance, but this race looks to have more depth than 12 months ago.
Side with dual King George hero CLAN DES OBEAUX, who was feeling the effects of his prep run when fifth in this race last year.
He has been given a nice long break since his victory at Kempton on Boxing Day, the drying ground is a plus and his master trainer will no doubt have him ready to peak on the big day.
SELECTION: Clan Des Obeaux
DANGER: Al Boum Photo
Race 5 - 4.10 St James's Place Foxhunter Challenge Cup Open Hunter's Chase
MINELLA ROCCO has found a new lease of life since going hunter chasing.
He had the class to place in a Gold Cup and he won with a degree of authority over Hazel Hill at Warwick last time.
That rival will have been trained with this race in mind so should put up a better show now, though Minella will also have benefited from that outing.
Stalker Wallace represents powerful connections and gets the services of the excellent Jamie Codd.
He must go well, while Shantou Flyer can give David Maxwell a good spin.
SELECTION: Minella Rocco
DANGER: Hazel Hill
Race 6 - 4.50 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3)
LISP was far from disgraced in Grade 2 company at Doncaster last time out.
He had won decisively at Plumpton prior to that and there is a suspicion he is well-treated off 144.
Any number of dangers, headed by Greaneteen whose improvement has been remarkable this season.
He bolted up at Musselburgh and should go well for Paul Nicholls, while Chosen Mate, who can be hit or miss, would have an excellent chance if on a going day.
Us And Them had an excellent novice campaign and is well-weighted if rediscovering his form.
Paloma Blue ran a cracker at Leopardstown and has a touch of class. He is one to note.
SELECTION: Lisp
DANGER: Greaneteen
Race 7 - 5.30 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle
A tricky race to end the Festival, but it often pays to side with the Irish.
They have a strong hand here, and perhaps FRONT VIEW is the best of the lot.
He caught the eye when second at Thurles and was not hard pushed to finish a never-nearer second. The booking of top conditional Jonjo O'Neill Jr is a huge plus.
Column Of Fire ran a cracker in a big race at Leopardstown and has been laid out for this race. He has a big chance.
Ilikedwayurthinkin is another who has been trained with this race in mind, while Philip Hobbs' Pileon look the main hope of the home team.
SELECTION: Front View
DANGER: Column Of Fire