PADDY POWER’S CHELTENHAM CHEAT SHEET: Galopin Des Champs backed to deliver in the Gold Cup
Mick Fitzgerald, Ruby Walsh and Jane Mangan take a look at day four of the Cheltenham Festival as they pick the winners for the final day of the week.
Fitzgerald chooses his 1-2-3 finish order for the Festival’s feature race as he backs A Plus Tard to repeat last year’s success.
Meanwhile, Ruby Walsh backs Galopin Des Champs to fulfill his pre-race position as the heavy market favorite and win the Gold Cup for Willie Mullins.
Jane Mangan is also backing Galopin Des Champs to triumph in the Gold Cup.
See all your picks for Day Four at Paddy PowerCheat sheet below.
Mick Fitzgerald, Ruby Walsh and Jane Mangan make their picks for Paddy Power’s cheat sheet for Friday, which will see the Gold Cup take place.
Mick Fitzgerald – Tips for Day 4
13:30 – Hurdling triumph, 2 m 1f
really captivated me BLOOD DESTINY when he won in Cork. Paul Townend has opted to race at Lossiemouth after an unfortunate race at Leopardstown, but it must have been a difficult choice.
14:10 – Obstacle course, 2m 1f
FILEY BAY he was unlucky to finish second in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury last month. He is a little higher in the handicap now, which is not ideal, but he could still be improving.
2:50pm – Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdling, 3m
CORBETTS CROSS He has gained more than 2m and remains 3m and not many in this field can say that. A cut is visible above (NAP).
Fitzgerald backs Corbetts Cross to claim victory in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle on Friday
15:30 – Cheltenham Gold Cup, 3 min, 21/2f
I am willing to trust that manager Henry De Bromhead will have A LATER ready to go after a disappointing season. Last year’s Gold Cup winner could be the forgotten horse in the race.
1. One more afternoon
2. Stabilizer
3. Galopin Des Champs
Mick Fitzgerald backs A Plus Tard to repeat last year’s Gold Cup success on Friday
16:10 – Hunting of hunters, 3m 2f
Bromhead Henry Broker DREAM OF CHRIST he’s earned a couple of points and that will set him up nicely for this Hunter’s Hunt.
16:50 – The chase of Mrs Paddy Power Mares, 2m 41/2f
Allegoire de Vassy jumps very badly to the right, which is not good for him on this track. RAINCOAT she’s the one I like as she’s a rock solid jumper and has put in some good performances this season. She will also manage the soil.
17:30 – Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle, 2m 2f
COOL SURVIVOR he is not exposed and has to be a great player with the bright young driver, Sam Ewing, on board.
Ruby Walsh
13:30 – Hurdling triumph, 2 m 1f
The softer it becomes, the greater the chance that it gives BLOOD DESTINY. It will definitely suit if the trail is heavy.
Ruby Walsh believes Blood Destiny will triumph in Friday’s first race: Triumph Hurdle
14:10 – Obstacle course, 2m 1f
I am with BALLYADAM. He ran very well behind Gaelic Warrior at the Dublin Racing Festival and is probably overrated.
2:50pm – Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdling, 3m
i have been with CORBETTS CROSS since Christmas and I’m going to stay with him.
15:30 – Cheltenham Gold Cup, 3 min, 21/2f
GALOPINE DES CHAMPS all day, every day and would love to ride it. Noble Yeats might be his biggest danger.
Galopin Des Champs, the heavy favourite, is Walsh’s only Gold Cup horse.
16:10 – Hunting of hunters, 3m 2f
I am a VAUCELETE man. He is a great, great runner. CHRIS’S DREAM is value.
16:50 – The chase of Mrs Paddy Power Mares, 2m 41/2f
VASSY’S ALLEGORY is the class horse in the race. If you want to oppose her, you’d have to go big and maybe it’s Riviere D’etel.
17:30 – Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle, 2m 2f
It’s a very competitive race and one of the rookies will win it. I hope it’s Spanish Harlem as it would round out a great week for Michael O’Sullivan but, at a price, SPIRIT OF LEGEND I could run a great race
jane mangan
13:30 – Hurdling triumph, 2 m 1f
I have been a fan of LOSS OF MOUTH since his Irish debut in Fairyhouse. It’s hard to tell what Blood Destiny has beaten. I’ll take the beautiful gray mare.
Lossiemouth is Jane Mangan’s choice for the Triumph Hurdle, having impressed throughout her career so far.
14:10 – Obstacle course, 2m 1f
Only all 26 runners, but I’d like to see Dan Skelton continue his brilliant record in this race, courtesy of PEMBROKE. He could be very handicapped.
2:50pm – Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdling, 3m
every time i looked THREE-CARD BRAG this season, I always thought he would be a good horse over three miles. Now it’s time for him to prove his worth!
15:30 – Cheltenham Gold Cup, 3 min, 21/2f
I hope that GALOPINE DES CHAMPS he can show us how good he really is by going up the hill ahead of this quality course. So unlucky in last year’s Turners Novice Chase, when he went down in last place with the race won: this is his time to shine brighter than all the other stars on display.
Mangan also backs Galopin Des Champs to claim the Gold Cup win on Friday.
Willie Mullins hopes to train another Gold Cup winner, and he has the favorite at Galopin Des Champs
16:10 – Hunting of hunters, 3m 2f
Patrick Mullins and Billaway picked the pocket of Barry O’Neill in Winged Leader last year and stablemate VAUCELETE you can get your revenge for hookups now.
16:50 – The chase of Mrs Paddy Power Mares, 2m 41/2f
Despite having only two hit-and-runs to date, VASSY’S ALLEGORY It has the potential to be first class. She was good enough to beat Brandy Love in the hurdles and I hope she will show us her ability now.
17:30 – Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle, 2m 2f
The end of the festival and while IMAGINE campaigned over 2M this season, stepping up to 2m 4f and trainer Gordon Elliott likes to aim for this run.
Paddy Power
13:30 – Hurdling triumph, 2 m 1f
The market suggests GALA MARCEAU I was very lucky to beat Lossiemouth at the Dublin Racing Festival, but I’m not so sure. I think she represents great value wearing the hood for the first time, hopefully helping her establish herself.
14:10 – Obstacle course, 2m 1f
GREAT GLORY he has a really good record and was a good winner at Listowel when last seen in a race that worked well. Sidelined after that win, he has man of the moment Michael O’Sullivan dropping 3 pounds and drying the ground is not a negative for him.
2:50pm – Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdling, 3m
This race regularly returns a grand prize winner, but it will take a decent effort to deliver both the Three Card Brag and the Corbett Cross. i’m just for THREE-CARD BRAG who is bred to excel on this journey.
15:30 – Cheltenham Gold Cup, 3 min, 21/2f
SOUNDS RUSSIAN He’s gotten better with every start this season and seems to have decent claims every which way at a huge price.
Sounds Russian to Ruth Jefferson (pictured) worth a try in every way at a huge price having improved
16:10 – Hunting of hunters, 3m 2f
ROCKY’S HOLE he has been turned upside down since joining Declan Queally winning his 5th point win by wide margins, last time beating the highly rated Chatham Street Lad by 45 lengths.
16:50 – The chase of Mrs Paddy Power Mares, 2m 41/2f
VASSY’S ALLEGORY It might jump around a bit on the right, but I’m convinced he has a great engine and I think he’s going to take a lot of hits here.
17:30 – Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle, 2m 2f
IROKO he is 2-2 on handicap, winning last time by 14 lengths at Wetherby. The 10-pound gain for that win may understate you. Could be better than a handicap.