THREE thrilling days have been and gone at Cheltenham which means just one day remains…Gold Cup day today!
We'll be bringing you ALL of the latest news, tips and results from Prestbury Park and even without the sound of the famous ROAR this year, there's plenty to enjoy.
- Templegate's Gold Cup tips – best bets
- GOLD CUP SPECIAL OFFER: GET CHAMP AT 70/1 OR AL BOUM PHOTO AT 25/1 FOR A TOP THREE
- GOLD CUP BEST FREE BETS AND SIGN UP OFFERS TODAY
- FREE BETS: GET £60 IN FREE BETS WITH WILLIAM HILL
- FREE BETS GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
Follow ALL of the latest updates from Prestbury Park below…
- Craig Mahood
FIRST RACE PREVIEW
A look now at the first race of today, the JCB Triumph Hurdle.
Jack Kennedy and Denise Foster team up on favourite Zanahiyr, with the pairing of the meeting Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore nipping at their heels.
Odds from Betfair.
JCB TRIUMPH HURLDE
Zanahiyr 11/8
Quilixios 5/2
Tritonic 4/1
Adagio 20/1
Haut En Couleurs 33/1
Tax For Max 45/1
Talking About You 230/1
Historic Heart 240/1
- Craig Mahood
TEMPLEGATE THROUGH THE CARD
Our man Templegate brings you his insight from every race on the final day of the 2021 Cheltenham Festival.
His next best comes in just under half an hour, with the NAP coming in the big one later on.
1.20 Zanahiyr (nb)
Impressive wins on all three starts and can improve again.
1.55 Belfast Banter
Lovely low weight and went close in a strong race last time.
2.30 Stattler
Improving and went close in much stronger contest latest.
3.05 AL BOUM PHOTO (NAP)
Has enough class to land the Gold Cup hat-trick.
3.40 Billaway
Second in this last year and has improved since then.
4.15 Colreevy
Yet to taste defeat since going over fences and can strike again.
4.50 Langer Dan (treble)
Won well on Saturday and looks ahead of the handicapper.
- Craig Mahood
MULLINS IN THE FIRST
It is unusual to see Willie Mullins without a runner near the top of the betting in the first.
He has two outsiders to start the day and it's fair to say he reckons they are priced correctly.
We have two runners in the 2m1f JCB Triumph Hurdle. Haut En Couleurs is a nice horse from France having his first run for us. He gallops and jumps well and has been pleasing us at home. He has a definite each-way shout here.
Tax For Max lacks experience and we will be pleased if finishes mid-division in this competitive field.
Willie Mullins
- Craig Mahood
CUMANI GOLD CUP READY
Francesca Cumani contemplating her pick for the Gold Cup.
Will she be smiling in a short while?
Francesca Cumani posted pics on her instagram Cumani ahead of Gold Cup day - Craig Mahood
LATEST GOLD CUP BETTING
The latest odds from this afternoon's WellChild Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Al Boum Photo is being backed further and is now into 9/4 with Paddy Power.
Minella Indo also attracting support, into 15/2.
CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP 2021
ODDS FROM PADDY POWER
Al Boum Photo 9/4
A Plus Tard 10/3
Champ 11/2
Minella Indo 15/2
Santini 11/1
Native River 14/1
Frodon 16/1
Royal Pagaille 16/1
Kemboy 18/1
Lostintranslation 25/1
Aso 200/1
Black Op 200/1
- Craig Mahood
FEET UP WITH A CUP OF TEA
Henry de Bromhead has shared footage of Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Put The Kettle On arriving home.
- Craig Mahood
£30 IN FREE BETS
Punters can get £30 in free bets for today at the Cheltenham Festival when they bet £10 on the first race of the day.
To claim the offer simply sign up and bet £10 on the 1.20pm on Friday.
You must place the bet on a win or each way market and then you will get a £5 free bet for the rest of the races on Friday.
That works out to £30 in free bets for the day.
GET £30 IN FREE BETS HERE
- Craig Mahood
THE GOLD CUP
And here it is, the one they ALL want.
A quick wipe down and it's ready to be paraded.
Who will be lifting this aloft in just over three hours?
The Gold Cup gets a good clean The WellChild Cheltenham Gold Cup - Craig Mahood
FIVER FLUTTER
Some big-priced runners in our selection today.
Pushing the boat out on the final day, this is our each-way lucky-15 for our fiver flutter.
FIFTY BALL (1.55)
He ran a cracker when second in the red-hot Betfair Hurdle at Newbury last time. He handled the hustle and bustle of that big field and will have no problem getting up the Cheltenham hill.
THREEUNDERTHRUFIVE (2.30)
He could be the pick of the British challenge and has done nothing wrong in winning all three of his hurdles starts so far. He stayed really well at Musselburgh last time and is open to further improvement.
LATENIGHTPASS (3.40)
He is a multiple point-to-point winner who won a 15-runner hunter chase here on his last visit and scored nicely at Warwick last time. This is a tough contest but he’s a big price to run into the places.
GABYNAKO (4.50 Cheltenham)
He has been placed in a couple of graded races and didn’t get much of a run when midfield at Leopardstown last time. Despite performing in good company he looks on a fair handicap mark and is a proven stayer.
- Craig Mahood
TODAY'S LINE-UP
Not long now until the action gets underway.
Here is a run through of today's timings.
- Craig Mahood
THE PEOPLE'S FAVOURITE?
Frodon and Bryony Frost landing the big one today would be another fairytale to add to a week of stunning stories.
Trainer Paul Nicholls told Betfair says today's trip should not be an issue, while Bryony says there are plenty of options mid-race.
He is a marvel who keeps surprising people because he tends to be underestimated. I don't see the trip as an issue as he was outpaced in the Ryanair a year ago and seems to have more stamina with age. Don't forget he won the Cotswold Chase on deep ground and more recently landed the King George at Kempton in great style.
Paul Nicholls
The hype has been very much but he is rightly a fans favourite! Tactically this race is quite confusing but we go in with plenty of options. We know a strong pace is coming but we don’t know when. I will go off my instinct, wherever he is happy.
Bryony FrostITV
- Craig Mahood
CHARLIE TURN-AROUND
Charlie Deutsch could be in for a right Royale week at Cheltenham.
Venetia Williams’ stable jockey is chasing a first Festival winner – and could break his duck in the Gold Cup on the exciting Royale Pagaille.
It’s been a remarkable rise back to the top table for Deutsch, 24, who’s promising career threatened to go off the rails in 2018.
He was jailed for 10 months for dangerous driving and escaping police custody whilst over the drink-drive limit after a night out with pals.
He panicked when he was stopped by police and asked to take a breathalyser – and a subsequent 100mph car chase only ended when cops deployed a stinger.
READ MORE HERE
- Craig Mahood
TWO HOURS TO GO
Less than a couple of hours before Gold Cup day commences at Cheltenham.
A strong WIllie Mullins squad out on the gallops - Craig Mahood
CHAPPERS' THOUGHTS
Our man Matt Chapman gives his thoughts on the big race of the week.
He is going for an each-way shout….
Al Boum Photo will be a strong favourite to land the most coveted of chases for a third time, in doing so emulating Best Mate and Arkle.
But it won’t be easy. A Plus Tard could be a revelation over this staying trip, while Champ was a top novice last season and Royale Pagaille (topically translated as ‘Royal Mess’!) could be anything.
But with drying ground and a visor on I’m backing SANTINI eachway for Nicky Henderson and Aidan Coleman.
Santini was only just touched off in last year’s renewal and on that form if he improves a bit he’s got every chance at long odds.
Those odds are because of disappointing efforts this term – but there have been reasons for each of them. I’m keeping the faith.
Matt Chapman
- Craig Mahood
CHAMP OR AL BOUM PHOTO?
William Hill have a couple of excellent price boosts for the Gold Cup today.
You can get Al Boum Photo to place in the first 3 at 25/1 or Champ to win at a HUGE 70/1
ACCESS OFFER HERE
- Craig Mahood
RESULTS SO FAR THIS WEEK
Still plenty to play for across the week's standings – except for the Prestbury Cup.
Here is the standings so far heading into the final day.
THE PRESTBURY CUP
Great Britain 4 – 17 Ireland
TOP JOCKEY
Rachael Blackmore – 5
Jack Kennedy – 3
Paul Townend – 2
TOP TRAINER
Willie Mullins – 4
Henry de Bromhead – 4
Denise Foster – 3
- Craig Mahood
BLACKMORE'S WEEK
Five winners so far for Rachael Blackmore with some big chances today.
She currently has more winners herself than all the British winners COMBINED.
Blackmore says her success this week 'is yet to sink in'.
It’s been an unbelievable week and I am very lucky to be riding for some fantastic people. It hasn’t sunk in at all to be honest. We are just over the moon.
It is such an incredible place and to be riding winners is fantastic.
When you are riding horses primed for the day your job is a lot easier. You can make these decisions when you know the right horses are underneath you.
He is a lovely boy. He gave me my first winner at the Festival and came up the hill at some speed. I am really looking forward to him. We all have Al Boum photo to beat but we will give it our best.
Rachael Blackmore
- Craig Mahood
PERFECT GROUND
Cheltenham clerk of the course, Simon Claisse said the ground is perfect today for the Gold Cup.
It's drizzly in the air and there is quicker ground on the turn at the bottom of the hill.
- Craig Mahood
BOOST THE BET BANK
Willie Hill are offering new customers an incredible £60 in FREE BETS for Gold Cup day today at the Cheltenham Festival.
To claim the offer simply register with William Hill using your mobile phone and promo code: S60.
And then place a first bet of £10 at minimum odds of 1/2.
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- Craig Mahood
CHAMP ON AL BOUM
Sir AP McCoy has a horse named after him in the Gold Cup in 'Champ'.
But the former JP McManus jockey believes today's favourite deserves to be at the head of the betting after his last two Gold Cup wins.
It looks a wide-open renewal but Al Boum Photo deserves to be that price. There is a little more depth in the race but he looks to be able to adapt tactically.
Sir AP McCoyITV
- Craig Mahood
BLACKMORE ON A PLUS
But it takes a brave person to back against Rachael Blackmore this week.
She is on the well-backed second favourite, A Plus Tard.
Here they both are stretching their legs on the gallops.
Rachael Blackmore and A Plus Tard
- Craig Mahood
TEMPLEGATE PREVIEW
But our tipster Templegate is keen on Al Boum Photo and he has NAP'd him for the day.
He has had his usual smooth prep and has every chance of landing a third Gold Cup in a row. He has been Mr Reliable for a few seasons and Willie Mullins knows exactly how to peak him for today.
He has had his usual spin around Tramore and, while last season’s win wasn’t as impressive as the first one, he got the job done.
He’s a proven stayer who jumps well, will be fine on the ground and we know Cheltenham suits him down to the ground. The public may have not latched on to the nine-year-old but he can do the business.
Templegate
- Craig Mahood
MULLINS IN THE BIG ONE
He runs the favourite in the feature of the week but Willie Mullins fancies his other runner to have a big run in him.
Kemboy will love the ground and has a chance in what should be a fast run race.
Willie Mullins
- Craig Mahood
GOLDEN FAVOURITE
Today's Gold Cup favourite, Al Boum Photo out on the gallops earlier this morning.
Paul Townend in good spirits too!
Paul Townend and Al Boum Photo - Etienne Fermie
GOING, GOING, GOOD… TO SOFT
Here's an update on the going ahead of today's action.
Source: Read Full Article
