Cheltenham Day 4

Danny Mullins has two rides on Gold Cup day, including King George VI hero Tornado Flyer in the blue riband race. He gives us his thoughts on his chances and who he would put in his Placepot for the rest of Friday’s action.

RACE NUMBER DANNY MULLINS STEVE RYDER
1 Il Etait Temps Vauban
2 State Man Faivoir
3 Hillcrest Ginto
4 Minella Indo Galvin
5 Bob And Co Billaway
6 Elimay Elimay

 

And don’t forget, there is a free Placepot for all tote.co.uk customers on each and every day of the Festival. For all the information you need, click on the offer below.

Race 1 (13:30) – Triumph Hurdle

Danny Mullins - Il Etait Temps 

There will be plenty of attention on those at the top of the market but the horse I ride here has a good chance. He was third on his first run at the Dublin Racing Festival where he chased home Vauban, only beaten by five lengths. There is plenty of potential for improvement there and I think he’ll run a big race.

Steve Ryder - Vauban 

Gordon Elliott appears to have a strong hand in the Triumph Hurdle this year with both Pied Piper and Fil Dor but preference in this race goes to the Willie Mullins trained Vauban who has been the subject of glowing reports from connections in recent weeks.

The four-year-old finished second behind Pied Piper on his hurdling debut at Punchestown when he made a bad mistake at the last hurdle before winning impressively at the Dublin Racing Festival last time when he beat Fil Dor by three lengths. 

He still didn’t do everything correctly that day as he raced keenly and didn’t jump particularly well but eased clear after the last and a repeat of that effort should see him extremely difficult to beat.

Race 2 (14:10) – County Handicap Hurdle 

Danny Mullins - State Man 

This fella on has looked very good in his work at home. He won nicely in Limerick after falling in Leopardstown. Off a mark of 141, he’s got a nice weight; he’ll be very hard to beat.

Steve Ryder - Faivoir 

Dan Skelton has won the County Hurdle in recent years with Superb Story (2016), Mohaayed (2018) and Ch’tibello (2019) and I feel that Faivoir is overpriced in the race this year. He runs here 2lbs “well in” following his third place finish in the Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso a couple of weeks ago and this two-time course winner looks a big price for this race.

Race 3 (14:50) – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle

Danny Mullins - Hillcrest

It’s a tricky race - often favourites get beaten here. I like Henry Daly’s horse; he has been very good. He’s won around Cheltenham twice and when he stepped up to three miles last time at Haydock he won quite easily. I think he holds the right profile in what will be a fascinating race.

Steve Ryder - Ginto

Connections of Ginto made a late call to come to the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle rather than the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle and that decision can be rewarded in this race. 

The Gordon Elliott trained six-year-old is unbeaten in his three starts over hurdles this season and he was impressive in the Grade 1 Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle last time.

Previous winners Envoi Allen and Bob Olinger went on to win at the Cheltenham Festival on their next starts and I expect Ginto to do the same.

Race 4 (15:30) – Cheltenham Gold Cup

Danny Mullins - Minella Indo

A Plus Tard, Minella Indo and Galvin all arrive here in good form. For me, Minella Indo is the one we all have to beat. I ride Tornado Flyer here, I hope he’ll run a big race, but Minella Indo is a safer pick for the Placepot.

Steve Ryder - Galvin

The Gold Cup looks an open renewal this season but preference goes to the Gordon Elliott trained Galvin who won the National Hunt Chase at the Festival last season. 

The eight-year-old was beaten by Frodon in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal in October but staked his claim for this race when he defeated A Plus Tard in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown at Christmas.

He looked a strong stayer under Davy Russell that day shaping like this Gold Cup test is exactly what he wants. Both A Plus Tard and Minella Indo are respected for Henry de Bromhead but I do feel Galvin is the most solid contender and most likely winner.

Race 5 (16:10) – Hunters’ Chase

Danny Mullins - Bob And Co

Willie and Patrick team up here with Billaway but I think he’ll be an obvious choice for most Placepot punters so the one I'll go for is Bob and Co for owner rider David Maxwell. 

This fella unseated in the race last year but he won in Punchestown afterwards beating Billaway. I think if he gets back to that kind of form (he’s placed twice recently), he could take a bit of beating.

Steve Ryder - Billaway

The Willie Mullins trained Billaway has finished second in the previous two renewals of this race and if cheekpieces improve his jumping like they did at Naas last time then he should be able to make it third time lucky. 

He has a poor reappearance record so his defeat to Winged Leader at Thurles was no concern and I expect Willie Mullins to have him spot on for this race.

Race 6 (16:50) – Mares’ Chase

Danny Mullins - Elimay

Second to Colreevy last year, I think she has a big opportunity to get her head in front this year.

Mount Ida has beaten her and is a previous Festival winner but I think Elimay has really come into herself, and she bounced back to winning ways in Naas the last time.

Steve Ryder - Elimay

Elimay finished second behind stablemate Colreevy in the inaugural running of this race last season but she looks to hold strong claims of going one better in the race this year. 

The eight-year-old is extremely consistent over fences with five wins, three seconds and a third from her nine starts over the larger obstacles so she looks the perfect type of horse for a placepot. 

She has to reverse form with Mount Ida on worse terms from their Fairyhouse contest in January but she seemed to improve last time from the fitting of cheekpieces and that could swing things in her favour here.