CHELTENHAM NH FESTIVAL 2019 -- FRIDAY 15th MARCH (CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP DAY)

NATIVE RIVER BEATING MIGHT BITE IN LAST YEARS GOLD CUP

Congratulations to the connections and winning owner of PAISLEY PARK who stormed home to win yesterdays Stayers Hurdle a wonderful story. 

And here we are already it's the final day of the 2019 Festival and that means crowning a 'new' Champion in the Gold Cup. Have a great Friday, please bet sensibly. 

CHELTENHAM NH FESTIVAL – FRIDAY MARCH 15TH 2019
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 furious pace and unusually it's a relatively small select field of only fourteen runners. I remember this being about 26 runners back when the likes of Kissair was winning it.  So for this years renewal it's SIR EREC that they appear to have to beat, showing as even money favourite the bookies will be laughing if something does. Paul Nicholls has QUEL DESTIN here and looks the likely danger with a stack of Juvenile wins under his belt will be all the rage.  For something at a big price we look at FRENCH MADE one of many for Willie Mullins and has good jockey booked. Result -- 1st: PENTLAND HILLS 20/1.
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. They are headed by last years winner MOHAAYED who sprang a 33/1 surprise then and will be about those odds again with Bridget Andrews again on board.  MR ADJUDICATOR had a great run behind Farclas here in last years's Triumph Hurdle and is lightly raced so at 16/1 is very attractive today.  CROOKS PEAK and CAPITAINE look the best of the British challenge. Result -- 1st: CH'TIBELLO 12/1 .
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 BIRCHDALE and DICKIE DIVER towards the fore.  ALLAHO should go well for Mullins and Walsh while at a big price I think ASK BEN can run a decent race and defy his odds of 33/1. Result -- 1st: MINELLA INDO 50/1.
3.30pm 3m 2f 110yds Gold Cup	THE CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP A big field of 16 for the feature race of the whole meeting, but will probably come down to the two principals of last years winner NATIVE RIVER and this years King George at Kempton CLAN DES OBEAUX who appears to be improving this season but has a little bit to find against the favourite PRESENTING PERCY. Recent fancies returning for another crack include MIGHT BITE who appears to have completely lost his way after a gruelling battle here last year and THISTLECRACK who at least looks like he's beginning to show something of his old form but is fragile. Result -- 1st: AL BOUM PHOTO 12/1.
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 although we found the winner last year PACHA DU POLDER - who reappears again seeking a hat trick in this contest, so you have to believe and tends to finish strongly so if still there at the last you would be expecting a big effort late on.  Plenty with strong chances, the jockey bookings might be important and STAND UP AND FIGHT as well as UCELLO CONTI are the pair I would have against the field. Result -- 1st: HAZEL HILL 7/2F.
4.50pm 2m 110yds Grand Annual Chase	Grand Annual Steeple Chase  The Grand Annual Chase now as we begin to draw this years festival to a close, we have a field of 20 for this declared overnight. NOT ANOTHER MUDDLE for the Moore family could be in lightly and has been running well although as is the case for many this is a step forwards.  Both TOP GAMBLE and LE PREZIEN run well here and the latter won this last term but will need to be revitalised by the surroundings to score again.  GINO TRAIL is a lively outsider, can front run so should avoid any trouble and has been a winner here. 25/1 interesting. Result -- 1st: CROCO BAY 66/1.
5:30pm 2m 4f Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle	Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle Our finale is a 24 runner conditional jockeys affair named after the great trainer Martin Pipe, never been won by the son David and he is not even represented today.  We will just have a pair against the field in a wide open finale, BIG TIME DANCER and DAYBREAK BOY. Result -- 1st: EARLY DOORS 5/1. AND THAT'S YOUR LOT FOR THIS YEAR HOPE YOU ENJOYED YOUR 2019 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.

Enjoy the FA Cup and Six Nations Rugby !!