The Cheltenham Festival is concludes today after three previous days of thrilling and unpredictable horseracing action.
Before it signs off for another year, Prestbury Park is set to deliver a sensational crescendo with a closely judged field taking to the course for the Gold Cup. The 2025 winner Inothewayurthinkin isn’t being favoured but previous success in this race tends to translate into form and Gavin Cromwell’s champion will attempt to win a second successive crown.
But that’s not all as a stacked card will keep racegoers on their toes from the opening salvos of the Triumph Hurdle through the Mares Chase and across the Albert Bartlett before we even reach the Gold Cup. Horses to watch out for are Bambino Fever, Dinoblue and Murcia as the Festival comes to a close.
Following Lossiemouth’s victory in the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday, Il Etait Temps’ triumph in the Queen Mother Champion Chase, Irish trainer Willie Mullins has claimed two of the three champion races ran this week. Will he make it a third in the Gold Cup?
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Our racing correspondent Jonathan Doidge will be at Cheltenham all week to share his thoughts, insights and tips. Plus legendary former jockey Ruby Walsh has shared his tips with Paddy Power.
Friday 13 March - Gold Cup Day
1.20: JCB Triumph Hurdle
Result: 1. Apolon De Charnie 50/1; 2. Maestro Conti 5/1; Minella Study 7/1
Ruby Walsh’s tip: Proactif
“I’m a fan of Proactif, who seems to have improved markedly since his win at Fairyhouse on his Irish debut. The same could be said for Macho Man, who followed him home that day, but Proactif should be good enough to give JP McManus another winner.”
Jonathan Doidge’s tip: Minella Study (each-way)
“I’ll be honest, it’s not a race I have a strong view on. There are numerous runners that can have cases made and perhaps it can be a year for a smaller trainer to make a big name for himself, so I’m happy to side with Minella Study for the Northumberland yard of Adam Nicol.”
2.00: William Hill County Handicap Hurdle
Ruby Walsh’s tip: Karbau
“He might not be a ’State Man’, but Karbau ran really well behind Glen Kiln in the Limestone Lad Hurdle. The forecast rain will suit him more than his stablemate Murcia, and that may have swayed Paul Townend’s decision to make him his only handicap ride of the week. He’s got a really good chance.”
Jonathan Doidge’s tip: Sinnatra (each-way)
“I am going to side with the Skelton-trained Sinnatra this time. His peak effort so far was when winning a Sandown maiden hurdle by a country mile in January, as he was entitled to do as the 1/8 favourite.”
2.40: Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Steeple Chase
Ruby Walsh’s tip: Dinoblue
“Dinoblue looks rock solid for my money. She was excellent when winning this race last year and has had an ideal preparation to defend her crown. I can’t see beyond her.”
Jonathan Doidge’s tip: Dinoblue
“I’m surprised Dinoblue is not odds-on for this at the time of writing and she’s a confident selection to win this for a second successive year. That’s no disrespect the the capable Paddy Power and Coral Gold Cup winner Panic Attack, or for the selection’s stablemate Spindleberry.”
3.20: Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
Ruby Walsh’s tip: Espresso Milan
“Doctor Steinberg has obvious claims, but this is a race that can throw up some big-priced winners. I’m siding with Espresso Milan, who should really enjoy this step up in trip with a strong gallop. He’s the value selection.”
Jonathan Doidge’s tip: Spinningayarn (each-way)
“It’s fair to say that the favourite Doctor Steinberg goes into this with the pick of the form but I do worry that he’ll be too keen, while the form of Paul Nolan-trained Thedeviluno is not far behind him. However, one that I think will improve significantly for stepping up in trip this time is Spinningayarn.”
4.00: Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Steeple Chase
Ruby Walsh’s tip: Gaelic Warrior
”Gaelic Warrior bids to give connections a Champion Hurdle – Gold Cup double, and I’m with him. Any rain will be an advantage to him, and the race set-up should be ideal with plenty of pace on. I can see him being dropped in towards the inner, powering through on the run to the last, and the rest, as they say, is history.”
Jonathan Doidge’s tip: Gaelic Warrior & Grey Dawning (each-way)
“I’m very pleased to see Gaelic Warrior take his chance in the Blue Riband event and have recommended an ante-post bet on him. Nothing has changed in that respect, despite his defeats since. He has Festival-winning form, I think he has a fantastic engine and I just wish he would settle.
“I also recommended an each-way play, ante-post, on Grey Dawning some time ago. He’ll need to bounce back, however, after his Cotswold Chase run.”
4.40: Princess Royal Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Steeple Chase
Ruby Walsh’s tip: Panda Boy
“I fancy Panda Boy, who was a solid handicap chaser for Martin Brassil. He qualified with wins in this discipline at Thurles and Naas. You need to be a strong stayer to win the Hunters’ Chase, and he ticks that box. He’s the most likely winner with John Gleeson on board.”
Jonathan Doidge’s tip: Stattler (each-way)
“Last year’s winner Wonderwall returns and is the favourite but this race isn’t littered with dual winners and I’ll take him on with a sporting each-way play on Stattler.”
5.20: Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle
Ruby Walsh’s tip: Kel Histoire
“Kel Histoire and Jump Allen both have solid chances, and I’ve just come down on the former. His overall form is stronger, and he’s got an eye-catching jockey booked in Michael Kenneally. He can deliver the goods in the lucky last.”
Jonathan Doidge’s tip: Jump Allen
“I like Open Secret best but preference for me is the Willie Mullins-trained Jump Allen. Still very much unexposed, he won’t mind what the ground is like and he progressed steadily last season, culminating in a Class 2 handicap win at Sandown’s end of season meeting in April (2m4f, good).”
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