CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2017 -- DAY FOUR FRIDAY (GOLD CUP DAY)

DON COSSACK WINNING LAST YEARS GOLD CUP

And here we are already the final day of the 2017 Festival and that means crowning a new Champion in the Gold Cup. While the race doesn't quite have the depth of recent years with the injuries to the likes of Thistlecrack it'll still take a good horse to win it. Have a great Friday, bet sensibly. 

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL – FRIDAY MARCH 17TH 2017
1.30pm 2m 1f Triumph Hurdle	JCB Triumph Hurdle And we’re off…race one on Gold Cup Day. The Triumph hurdle always run at a sprint and might have plenty of these in trouble some way out, Richard Johnson is on the likely favorite DEFI DU SEUIL but that looks too short for me. Now that Willie Mullins is up and running for the meeting his pair look interesting especially DANDY MAG at 25/1.  Also of interest at a huge price and in receipt of a handy few pounds from the principals is MAGIE DU MA for the David Pipe team at 40/1 looks big. Result -- 1st : DEFI DU SEUIL 5/2F.
2.10pm 2m 1f County Hurdle	Vincent O'Brien County Hurdle (Handicap) If you thought the Triumph Hurdle was tough then it gets worse as the County Hurdle has 26 runners headed by the returning ARCTIC FIRE who was runner up in this very race three years ago.  AIR HORSE ONE is in good form and should be considered if the expected market support comes. While OZZIE THE OSCAR has a squeak on last years form if he can find that again and 40/1 is huge (3rd 50/1) Result -- 1st : ARCTIC FIRE 20/1.
2.50pm 3m Albert Bartlett Novice's Hurdle	Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle Just 15 for this before we get to the big race of the day, 3m on this ground looks like DEATH DUTY will be the jolly and has plenty of decent form but 2/1 in such a contest should be opposable.  So I am on AUGUSTA KATE / WHOLESTONE against the field in this while keeping an eye on any strong market moves for the outsiders. Result -- 1st : PENHILL 16/1.
3.30pm 3m 2f 110yds Gold Cup	THE CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP Missing the ante post favorite this season Thistlecrack would have been a short price to land this but a season ending injury makes it a big chance for the stable No2 to step forward. NATIVE RIVER (3rd 7/2) already proven his staying power landing the Welsh National at Christmas and won around here too.  The likes of Cue Card in my opinion doesn't stay past 3m and the hill will see him struggle if he manages to jump round this time (fell last year), while SIZING JOHN is in good form too and stays so a place bet for sure is the call there.   Result -- 1st : SIZING JOHN 7/1.
4.10pm 3m 2f 110yds Foxhunters Chase	Foxhunters Steeple Chase  Often referred to as the Amateurs Gold Cup this test of stamina on the same course and distance as the big race itself could see yet another repeat win for ON THE FRINGE. The only difference being that regular rider Nina Carberry is no longer available (she's expecting her first child) and is replaced by leading amateur Mr Jamie Codd so a bold bid is expected.  Have not seen much of the hunter chases this season so hard to know what to expect of the bulk of the field. BLACK THUNDER could be interesting now back to a bit of form and has the very able Sam Waley Cohen to assist.  Result -- 1st : PACHA DU POLDA 16/1
4.50pm 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 and he is represented by DELL ARCA (33/1) here in the hope that can change today. I can remember the days when Pipe would often have about a 1/4 of the field in some of these handicaps at the big meetings but no longer the force of old.  Amongst the more fancied runners we'll have BATTLEFORD and NO COMMENT if the prices allow against the field. Result -- 1st : CHAMPAGNE CLASSIC 12/1.
5.30pm 2m 110yds Grand Annual Chase	Grand Annual Steeple Chase  The festival finale is the Grand Annual Chase, and we have a field of 24 for this declared overnight. Plenty with chances but anything could win and I'm keen on the bottom weight who looks way too big at 40/1 so WITNESS IN COURT is our first selection from the Donald McCain yard.  Our other selection is from the Colin Tizzard yard who hopefully will have won the Gold Cup earlier so SIZING PLATINUM at 20/1 a live outsider given he should have won last time out.  Result -- 1st : ROCK THE WORLD 10/1. AND THAT'S YOUR LOT FOR THIS YEAR HOPE YOU ENJOYED YOUR CHELTENHAM 2017

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...until next time.