Cheltenham Festival 2024 - Day Four

 


14:10 - County Hurdle

The Skeltons have had an incredible week so far and their record in this race in recent years means you have to respect L'Eau Du Sud and I will likely cover him to small stakes if his price drifts a bit. Their second string FAIVOIR won this last year and is only 2lb higher (4lb well in) despite running well recently. He looked unfortunate not to win the Imperial Cup at Sandown and on a line through Go Dante he ties in closely with the favourite. I think anything 10/1 or bigger is a bet so the 12/1 at the time of writing should be taken with 6 places on offer.

One at a massive price who I like to run into the additional places is MR FREEDOM at 40/1. There's no hiding the fact he certainly lacks the class of those at the top end of the market but he is just the type to be suited buy these big field handicaps. He showed that last year when finishing 5th in the Fred Winter despite his rider losing his irons after the saddle slipped jumping the first hurdle. His current price is the same as his SP last year and I can see him outrunning his odds once again.

FAIVOIR 12/1 - 1 Point Each-Way

MR FREEDOM 40/1 - 0.5 Points Each-Way



14:50 - Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle

Another race where Willie Mullins holds a strong hand, with Readin Tommy Wrong very well backed over the last few days. But this race has been a graveyard for favourites in recent years, with the last 5 winners having SPs of 18/1, 18/1, 14/1, 5/1 and 50/1. LECKY WATSON is one at a double figure price who I think could be suited by this step up in trip. You need a dour stayer in this race and Lecky Watson has looked just that, he finished behind the current favourite in January but this extra half mile could see him bridge that gap. He also wears a first time hood, which went well for the stable's Gaelic Warrior earlier in the week, and should help concentrate his mind a bit more on the job. His jumping was a bit sketchy last time but the yard have had time to school him and hopefully he can go well.


LECKY WATSON 12/1 - 1 Point Each-Way


15:30 - Gold Cup

It is difficult to oppose Galopin Des Champs after looking back to his best on his recent start and I will likely have a saver on him but my main bet will be CORACH RAMBLER at 16/1 with 4 places available. The grand national winner looks the perfect type to be finishing his race off stronger than others and run into the places, this method worked (just) when backing Noble Yeats in the race last year. His Ultima win at the festival has worked out very well and he was hugely impressive when landing the Grand National last year.

CORACH RAMBLER 16/1 - 1 Point-Way



17:30 - Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle

BETTER DAYS AHEAD finished behind Slade Steel on his penultimate start and then attempted to concede 15lb to Asian Master when 2nd at Navan in January. There are plenty of plot jobs in this race but his mark of 140 certainly looks workable and he looks a solid each-way play in the finale with extra places available. His form ties in the Lecky Watson too, so I'll play them in a small each-way double.


BETTER DAYS AHEAD 7/1 - 1 Point Each Way

LECKY WATSON & BETTER DAYS AHEAD - 0.5 Points Each-Way double

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