CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2015 -- DAY 4 FRIDAY (GOLD CUP DAY)

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL – FRIDAY MARCH 13TH 2015
1.30pm 2m 1f Triumph Hurdle	JCB Triumph Hurdle And we’re off…race one on Gold Cup Day.  The final day of the 2015 festival is here already and we kick off with the Triumph Hurdle, a tricky race of 17 juvenile 4yo's headed by the Nicky Henderson trained PEACE AND CO.  We have to look elsewhere instead of going for the obvious fav, there's plenty to like not least the Willie Mullins trio, and Alan Kings pair. But I am siding with the big price available on the David Pipe trained STARS OVER THE SEA a 50/1 shot here was placed in the trial race and while long way off HARGAM the Pipe team clearly going well and looks too big especially for a place. Have no problem if Hargam wins for McCoy on his final day at the festival though.  Result -- 1st PEACE AND CO 2/1F Stars over the sea -- 7th 50/1
2.05pm 2m 1f County Hurdle	Vincent O'Brien County Hurdle (Handicap) Just the 26 line up for the County Hurdle and it's a race where EBONY EXPRESS can attempt the rare "BONUS" Double having collected the Imperial Cup last weekend at Sandown. Has at least got into the race as I think the last couple of winners at Sandown have not had that opportunity to try for the bonus. Good luck to all connections in this.  Pipe's BALTIMORE ROCK deserves a big race win here and has had a break before trying this, a race he was unable to get into last year so must have improved to get in on 11-4?  Result -- 1st WICKLOW BRAVE 25/1 Ebony Express -- 19th 16/1      Baltimore Rock -- 7th 12/1
2.40pm 3m Albert Bartlett Novice's Hurdle	Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle A third hurdle race before the big one and only 20 here over the stayers trip of 3m. A race that NO MORE HERO'S heads the market having run up a sequence in Ireland until a mistaken laden effort last time. Should be opposable with so many options elsewhere.  Both FLETCHERS FLYER and CARACCI APACHE should go well and get the trip, the latter winning a 3m Grade 2 "trial" race last time out. Wide open contest, about 16/1-20/1 these pair. Result -- 1st -- MARTELLO TOWER 14/1 Fletchers Flyer -- N/R   Caracci Apache - Pulled Up 20/1
3.20pm 3m 2f 110yds Gold Cup	Cheltenham Gold Cup   The BIG one of the week now, as wide open a contest as it's been for many years, plenty here with previous form in the race, includes two previous winners (Bobs Worth, Lord Windermere) and BOBS WORTH doesn't come here with the same form as his winning season but goes well on good ground and has been trained to at least place according to reports from seven barrows.  SILVINIACO CONTI doesn't seem to last up the hill and appears to be a typical 3 mile flat track horse of the One Man ilk.  ROAD TO RICHES / HOLYWELL are the pair against the field for me of upcoming young (8yo) types the latter has proven himself around here before.  Result -- 1st CONEYGREE 7/1 Bobs Worth -  Pulled up 16/1   Road to Riches -  3rd 8/1
4.00pm 3m 2f 110yds Foxhunters Chase	Foxhunters Steeple Chase  The Amateurs Gold Cup now, shame that Tammys Hill isn't able to try and retain her crown, but there are 24 in attendance and you could struggle to get this right with 20 pics.  PAINT THE CLOUDS is the stand out hunter chase expert here, winner of the "Champion Hunter" at Stratford last year has had one race at Doncaster and won that easily.  Both NO LOOSE CHANGE and ON THE FRINGE should be watched in the market for their strong yards, the latter owned by JP McManus and ridden by Nina Carberry could be the subject of a punt if the owner fancies it.  Result -- 1st -- ON THE FRINGE 6/1
4.40pm 2m 4f Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle	Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle 24 runner conditional jockeys affair named after the great trainer Martin Pipe, never been won by the son David so he will be praying that either VIEUX LION ROUGE or BALGARRY can break that duck today.  Loads with chances as you would expect here, Willie Mullins won this with DON POLI last year and we know how good he's become so his best chance of a follow up is ROI DES FRANCS a winner of 3 of his last 4 in Ireland. 3rd 3/1 FORTHEFUNOFIT has won a few small races but could be a handicap blot in here for top connections. 15th 11/1 Result -- 1st KILLULTAGH VIC 7/1
5.15pm 2m 110yds Grand Annual Chase	Grand Annual Steeple Chase  The final race of this years festival and a race which has been renamed in honour of the legend that is the 20 times Champion Jockey AP McCoy. So if NED BUNTLINE wins this for the champ not only will the roof come off but the new stand might have to be rebuilt too.  TED VEALE and ASTRACAD are a pair that can go well at a decent price and I'll have them plus McCoys against the lot in the finale.  Result -- 1st NEXT SENSATION 16/1 AND THAT'S YOUR LOT FOR THIS YEAR DO HOPE YOU ENJOYED YOUR CHELTENHAM 2015

Results will appear here on Friday evening as I will be out all day enjoying the Gold Cup with my brother. Have a great day, you can rest tomorrow...