CHELTENHAM NH FESTIVAL 2018 -- DAY FOUR FRIDAY (GOLD CUP DAY)

SIZING JOHN WINNING THE 2017 GOLD CUP

And here we are already the final day of the 2018 Festival and that means crowning a new Champion in the Gold Cup. Have a great Friday, bet sensibly. 

CHELTENHAM NH FESTIVAL – FRIDAY MARCH 16TH 2018
1.30pm 2m 1f Triumph Hurdle	JCB Triumph Hurdle And we’re off for the final day ... race one on Gold Cup Day. The Triumph hurdle always run at a sprint and unusually it's a fairly small select field of only nine runners. With the strongly supported Favourite APPLE'S SHAKIRA it may pay to look for something with a bit of value. Plenty of interest in the ex French STORMY IRELAND who won by 58L albeit a maiden hurdle Also of interest at a huge price is the Gary Moore trained SUSSEX RANGER who had a pipe opener on the flat over an inadequate trip and is still respected at 20/1. Result -- 1st : FARCLAS 9/1.
2.10pm 2m 1f County Hurdle	Vincent O'Brien County Hurdle (Handicap) If you thought the Triumph Hurdle was easy well it's about to get a lot worse beginning with the County Hurdle where 26 runners will now face the starter since I Shot The Sheriff is a non runner. BEN DUNDEE looks the pick the Gordon Elliott's trio here, his countryman Willie Mullins has five here where SANDSEND could be his best option.  The home challenge includes JENKINS from the Henderson yard and at a large price we go for STERNRUBIN 33/1 for Philip Hobbs and Richard Johnson rides. Result -- 1st : MOHAAYED 33/1.
2.50pm 3m Albert Bartlett Novice's Hurdle	Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle Just 20 for this before we get to the big race of the day, 3m on this ground looks like a test although Nicky Henderson seems to dominate the market with his pair CHEF DES OBEAUX / SANTINI both about 5/1F. Looking at the rest of the field would be happy to back CALLET MAD here at 16/1 for the Twiston-Davies yard. Along with ENNISCOFFEY OSCAR who is guaranteed to stay and will relish the soft going at 20/1+ and had Callet Mad back in 4th when winning last time out. Result -- 1st : KILBRICKEN STORM 33/1.
3.30pm 3m 2f 110yds Gold Cup	THE CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP A big field of 18 for the feature race of the whole meeting, but will probably come down to the two principals of MIGHT BITE a progressive chaser and winner of the King George at Kempton along with NATIVE RIVER who was placed last year and can probably still improve . The return of EDWULF has the backstory that would fill the papers having been close to death following his collapse here last year, is not the force of the favs but worth a shout in an open renewal of the Gold Cup. Result -- 1st : NATIVE RIVER 5/1.
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 . Have not seen much of the hunter chases this season so hard to know what to expect of the bulk of the field and with 24 runners it's going to be tricky.  WONDERFUL CHARM looks worth a go, has probably the best jockey available and has been winning hunter chases. Last years winner PACHA DU POLDER WON 25/1 will also be popular but has a different jockey this year and she is inexperienced though this didn't affect the horse when ridden by Victoria Pendleton two seasons back. EW Chance. Result -- 1st : PACHA DU POLDER 25/1.
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 the unbeaten MR BIG SHOT who surely has a good EW chance at 16/1. The Joseph O'Brien trained EARLY DOORS also looks well treated and can be backed along with Willie Mullins DEAL D'ESTRUVAL. Result -- 1st :BLOW BY BLOW 11/1.
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.  VANITEUX has had a wind operation and could be interesting here, along with NORTH HILL HARVEY who is a course and distance winner.  Big prices are plenty and nothing would really surprise here, FOREST BIHAN and ROCK THE WORLD could be worth a little place bet too Result -- 1st : LE PREZIEN 15/2. AND THAT'S YOUR LOT FOR THIS YEAR HOPE YOU ENJOYED YOUR 2018 CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL

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.