Three days of the Cheltenham Festival are in the history books and we now head to the fourth and final day of action.
And that means it is Cheltenham Gold Cup day, the race that gives the famous festival its name and also its most prestigious trophy.
The bookmakers have taken a bit of a caning on the opening two days of the festival and on Day 3 things started more brightly for them with two short-odds favourite falling short in their quest to win a big race of the day.
That trend continued into the later races too, giving a day the bookies will certainly be happy with.
All this brings us nearly onto the final day of the festival which not only features the signature race, but also the JCB Triumph Hurdle, County Hurdle and Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.
But before we take a look at what is in store for Gold Cup Day at Cheltenham, let’s take a look at how Day Three panned out for us and whether we had the luck of the Irish on St. Patrick’s Day!
All odds shown were from bet365 Sport.
BET247
Bet365 Review ⊕ Min Deposit: £5 ⊕ Expiry: 30 days ⊕ Min Odds: 1/5 (1.20)
TOP30
William Hill Review » ⊕ Min £10/€10/$10 stake ⊕ Expiry: 30 days ⊕ Min Odds: 1.5
NEW BONUS
GG Poker Review » ⊕ Min Deposit: £10 ⊕ Limited period ⊕ $1 for ever $ in Rake
Day 3 proved to be the day the bookies struck back with defeats for the likes of Mighty Potter and Shishkin proving to be good results for the bookmakers and with Sire Du Berlais landing the big Stayer’s Hurdle race at odds of 33/1, the bookies had a much bigger smile on their face after day three than they had the opening two days of the festival.
So with Day 3 in the history books, what do we have in store for Day Four and who will we pick to win the big one on Gold Cup day?
1.30pm – JCB Triumph Hurdle
Field
With Willie Mullins saddling up almost half the runners in the race, it is easy to suggest that the Irishman has a great chance to land the win here and of all his entries into the event Lossiemouth is the one I feel has the best chance although I expect Gala Marceau , Blood Destiny and Zenta to go close too.
Bet365 Boost Available – Lossiemouth – was 7/4 now 15/8
Our Tip – Lossiemouth – 15/8 fav
Field
Filey Bay, Hunters Yarn and Sharjah are amongst the shorter priced selections in the County Hurdle while Pembroke is a very well backed option too. However, after winning two very good races last year, Gin Coco looks to have been well prepared for this race and the extra 4lb in weight shouldn’t be an issue.
Bet365 Boost Available – Pembroke – was 10/1 now 11/1
Our Tip – Gin Coco – 9/1
Field
When Gordon Elliott, who has had another excellent festival thus far, is bullish about the chances of one of his chargers in a race, it is wise to take notice. Three Card Brag is the horse to watch out for here after steadily improving all season and he looks ready to land the big win here.
Bet365 Boost Available – Embassy Gardens – was 9/1 now 10/1
Our Tip – Three Card Brag – 7/2 fav
Field
What a fantastic field there is for this yeas Gold Cup. A Plus Tard, Noble Yeats, Protektorat, Bravemansgame and Stattler may all be amongst the shorter priced favourites but my pick is Galopin Des Champs, the long-time favourite of the race who, if he can stay the course, should be right in the thick of it at the end.
Bet365 Boost Available – Noble Yeats – was 9/1 now 10/1
Our Tip – Galopin Des Champs – 15/8 fav
Field
Vaucelet dominates the betting here and it is easy to see why with three wins in its last three races, he has performed against some top-quality horses too, that some other winners in the race have not. However, my tip here is Bob and Co each way, a very talented horse that had a first and two seconds before a fall in his last race.
Bet365 Boost Available – Vaucelet – was 11/4 now 3/1
Our Tip – E/W – Bob And Co – 14/1
Field
Allegorie De Vassy is the favourite here but I think that Impervious has a great chance. The horse has won her last three races after not being too impressive last season and while Allegorie De Vassy has equally good form, I just feel that Impervious improvement puts her just ahead of her main opponent here.
Bet365 Boost Available – Impervious – was 11/4 now 3/1
Our Tip – Impervious – 3/1
Field
Non-Runners – Wonderwall, Grozni
The 28th and final race of the festival sees some interesting options including Imagine, Iroko and Spanish Harlem. My pick though it Might who has finished second over the hurdles here and at Aintree and Sandown and who, despite not landing a win, has four top three places in his five starts thus far.
Bet365 Boost Available – Iroko – was 9/1 now 10/1
Our Tip – Might I – 10/1
I started Day 3 a huge £1.50 up, and after deciding not to look at buying my own private jet, I sat with steely determination to turn that small profit into a larger one. Well on Day 3 things turned for the worst with no winners to report, meaning it's all to do on Day 4!
Bet365 Bonus Code, Sports, Casino and Poker Sign up offers and News
18+ Worried about your gambling?
Gamcare - When the fun stops – STOP!