Racing Ahead tipster Ben Morgan offers his thoughts on the penultimate day of the Cheltenham Festival.
Check out Betway’s latest Cheltenham betting markets for all the races across this week
1.20 – Sainte surprise in Triumph
The opener on Day 4 sees the best of both sides of the Irish Sea go head to head with East India Dock and Lulamba taking on the proven Hello Neighbour.
There will be some reputations dented after the race for sure but which one of the three come out on top I wouldn’t be 100% sure.
I don’t think the value lies with any of them at the moment and the chances of them finishing 1-2-3 are probably quite slim.
I’m going to have a punt on one to finish in the places and I think SAINTE LUCIE might just be overlooked.
There was a lot of hype around her before her last run but she ran with the choke out all the way around and faded badly up the straight and consequently seems to have been dismissed here.
However, I think if she can settle better on Frida,y then she might be one who could upset the apple cart at 25/1 with Betway.
2.00 – Skeltons plan their Valgrand day out again?
An interesting County Hurdle with Willie Mullins running quite a few in here.
Of his I would give a chance to Ethical Diamond who could drift to a nice price now the stable jockeys have seemingly deserted him.
Probably the most solid each way bet in the race, however, would be VALGRAND for the Skeltons who look to have targeted this race yet again.
An exciting novice in the early part of the year, connections look to have aimed him for this after being found out against some top novices over further.
Based on his win here in October, you would suggest he is ahead of his mark and he should get you some returns each way at 8/1.
2.40 – Dino to make it third time lucky
This wouldn’t be a strong betting race for me and I’d say the favourite DINOBLUE would be hard to beat here.
She has struggled to stay the trip before but on this better ground I would give her a strong chance of doing so this year.
She wouldn’t be my sort of bet but if you like backing a jolly I’d say this would be the one to get on.
3.20 – Jax could be the Boy
The Albert Bartlett is historically a hard race to find the winner of and it doesn’t look any easier this year. I’m playing two at a price and first up is ARGENTO BOY for the Willie Mullins stable.
He has the right sort of profile for the race being a dour stayer and arriving here relatively under the radar.
I think connections thought plenty of him last year when he came for the Champion Bumper so it wouldn’t surprise me if he repaid that faith this year now encountering a severe stamina test.
My other dart at the board would be JAX JUNIOR who looks overpriced at 25/1.
He looks to be one of the better British novices this term and has the form to back up that assumption. I thought connections might wait until Aintree but it looks like they are chancing their arm here and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him go close at fancy prices.
4.00 – Star ready to shine
The Gold Cup this year would appear to be a penalty kick for the hattrick seeking Galopin Des Champs but you won’t get very rich backing him here.
I’ve been pretty sweet on MONTY’S STAR since the beginning of the season and I haven’t lost any faith in him despite two defeats already this season.
Henry De Bromhead has long been targeting this race with him and has gone on record saying he wasn’t quite fit in both starts so far this season but they should have teed him up nicely for a shot at this.
Obviously the task he faces is huge but something has got to finish second if GDC does turn up and I can’t see why it can’t be him at a nice price with Betway.
4.40 – Rye to storm up the hill
The Foxhunters Chase looks as competitive as ever this year and I won’t confess to knowing the in-depth form of all the field but I do quite like the claims of RYEHILL.
A relative youngster at the age of 8 compared to some of his rivals, he sprang somewhat of an upset last time at Naas when beating both Ontheropes and the well touted Its On The Line with ease.
His trainer, Ross O’Sullivan knows what it takes to win around here and I think he has a real chance of going close today with those younger legs potentially proving the difference up the hill.
5.20 – Royal winner in the finale?
If Willie Mullins has a good day on Friday then the talking horse Kopeck De Mee could go off very short here.
Apparently very well handicapped on his French form he brings a degree of mystery to the table here and could just be a blot on the handicap.
Again, he wouldn’t rate my sort of bet and this is quite a deep race so there are plenty running for you if you want to take a view against him.
I like the claims of PARK OF KINGS who has some top handicap form in the book and has the help of top conditional Connor Stone-Walsh.
A shade unlucky last time out, his trainer Paul Nolan will undoubtedly have him ready to peak here.
At a bigger price I wouldn’t be surprised to see the recent Ludlow winner, NO QUESTIONS ASKED, outrun his odds.
A brilliant run at Huntingdon against some good novices suggested he has plenty of talent and he might just be let in lightly here off 138.
READ MORE: Paul Nicholls – No stopping Galopin Des Champs lifting third Gold Cup at Cheltenham Festival
