A PLUS TARD can bounce back to retain his crown in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (GBB Race) (3.30pm) on the final day of the 2023 Cheltenham Festival.
Henry De Bromhead's nine-year-old ran out a superb 15-length winner of the blue riband of National Hunt racing 12 months ago – enabling Rachael Blackmore to become the first female jockey to win the Grade One feature at Prestbury Park. He looked by far the best staying chaser around but he returns to Cheltenham under a cloud, having been pulled up on his only start since, when disappointing in the defence of his Betfair Chase crown at Haydock Park back in November. Since then the likes of recent Irish Gold Cup hero Galopin Des Champs – the Willie Mullins-trained hot favourite for the Gold Cup; Paul Nicholls' impressive King George VI Chase winner Bravemansgame; last year's Randox Grand National star Noble Yeats; and Gordon Elliott's Conflated – with victory in the Grade One Savills Chase over Christmas – have thrown their hat into the ring to overtake A Plus Tard.
On this season's form A Plus Tard has it all to do. But having also been second to stable-mate Minella Indo in the 2021 Gold Cup and having won a Listed handicap at the Festival in the past, it is clearly the right time and place for De Bromhead's chasing star. His County Waterford-based trainer will have his spot on for his return and he can emulate recent dual Gold Cup stars like Best Mate, Kauto Star and Al Boum Photo.
Galopin Des Champs is clearly the biggest danger but Bravemansgame can run a big race for the home team, while Emmet Mullins' Noble Yeats could be involved in the finish and set up him for a return to Aintree Racecourse on April 15.
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Mullins had five of the seven winners on the final day of last year's Festival. And the County Carlow handler has plenty of chances of success throughout the day again at Prestbury Park. He appears to hold the cards in the opener, the Grade One JCB Triumph Hurdle (GBB Race) (1.30pm) and has seven runners with BLOOD DESTINY and Lossiemouth heading the market – and it is the former that just gets the vote for victory.
Lossiemouth lost his unbeaten start to hurdling, when beaten by reopposing stable-mate Gala Marceau – who should also go close – in the Grade One Spring Juvenile Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival last month. But Blood Destiny, although yet to race at the top level, has won both his starts at Cork and Fairyhouse in impressive fashion so far. Both horses look to have a big future but slight preference is for the improving Blood Destiny to come out on top.
SANDOR CLEGANE can win the Grade One Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Registered As The Spa Novices' Hurdle) (GBB Race) (2.50pm).
Paul Nolan's six-year-old seems to be improving with each run and can land a first Grade One win on his fourth start over obstacles. He was second to one of his rivals here – Elliott's Three Card Brag – on his hurdling debut at Galway in October. But that was over two miles and he has improved for stepping up in trip. He won a maiden at Punchestown the following month over 2m4f. He was then a decent third to Good Land in a Grade One contest at Leopardstown last month. That was over 2m6f and the further step up to three miles here can see him go very close to victory.
In the finale, a chance is taken on Henderson's NO ORDINARY JOE to win the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (5.30pm).
Nicky Henderson's seven-year-old still remains lightly-raced with just six starts over hurdles. He has some decent form, too – finishing third in the Greatwood Hurdle last season and when landing a two-mile handicap hurdle at Kempton over Christmas. No Ordinary Joe disappointed badly in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury last month, but is clearly better than that effort and should still be improving. The step back up to 2m4f from the minimum distance should help and he can outrun his big odds.
Others of interest in the always-competitive contest are Dan Skelton's Molly Ollys Wishes, the Elliott-trained duo Imagine and Cool Survivor and Mullins' Haxo.
David Christie's favourite VAUCELET can land the odds in the St James's Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase (4.10pm). The eight-year-old won a similar event over three miles at Down Royal on Boxing Day and he looks to have been laid out for this race. He can triumph ahead of chiefly the Mullins-trained Billaway – who won this race last year – and De Bromhead's former Grade One performer Chris's Dream, who is also entered again in the Aintree showpiece next month.
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Mullins can also score with HUNTERS YARN in the McCoy Contractors County Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (2.10pm). The six-year-old followed up a solid third on his return to action at Punchestown in November with back-to-back victories at Naas and then a six-length success at Navan last month. The gelded son of top Flat stayer Fame And Glory looks to be an improving young hurdler and can bring up a hat-trick.
Mullins has won both of the two runnings of the Grade Two Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase (Registered As The Liberthine Mares' Chase) (GBB Race) (4.20pm) so far and he can land a third with ALLEGORIE DE VASSY. Last year's winner Elimay also returns but stable-mate Allegorie De Vassy comes to Cheltenham with the best form. She has won both her chase starts this season having also scored twice over hurdles having come from France to Mullins' County Carlow base in November 2021. She should win again.
Wright Ones
CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL DAY FOUR
1.30pm Blood Destiny
2.10pm Hunters Yarn
2.50pm Sandor Clegane
3.30pm A Plus Tard
4.10pm Vaucelet
4.50pm Allegorie De Vassy
5.30pm No Ordinary Joe (NAP)
