Hanbury Racing has three each-way tips for Day 4 at the Cheltenham Festival, including an outsider for the Mares' Chase and a more familiar name in the Gold Cup.
Cheltenham Gold Cup
Minella Indo
The Cheltenham Gold Cup has a wide-open look to it, with all the main protagonists suffering defeats during the season, except for dual champion Al Boum Photo who won his usual prep race at Tramore on New Year’s Day.
I am a big fan of Al Boum Photo but he is now 10, and the Gold Cup usually goes to a younger horse, so I’m willing to look elsewhere.
Last year’s winner, Minella Indo, is my pick for follow-up glory at fair odds of 6/1. He is very much a Cheltenham specialist and seems to reserve all his best form for the Festival. He won the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle in 2019 and was a gallant second in the RSA chase 2020 behind the fast-finishing Champ and still had the very smart Allaho behind him that day.
In that RSA clash, he battled against Allaho all the way up the home straight and was always in front but looked all out. However, when Champ went past him in the final 100 yards, he picked up again, suggesting to me he only does enough when in front. I feel he showed the same trait in last year’s Gold Cup when narrowly defeating A Plus Tard, so I feel there is more in his locker.
The staying power of Galvin will be a big danger, but for me, Minella Indo will just keep pulling out more to retain his crown.
Mares' Chase
Vienna Court
On first inspection, Elimay looks an obvious winner after chasing home Colreevy in this last season and makes her the worthy favourite.
The noises coming from Gordon Elliott’s yard about Mount Ida make her a big danger, especially after her remarkable win in last year’s Kim Muir. But I just can’t get out of my mind how badly right she jumped that day, and against better opposition, I’m sure this will cost her.
The one I like at the price is Vienna Court at a tasty looking 14/1. She has shown improvement this year, with two excellent victories at Cheltenham. She has a progressive profile and I think there is much more to come from her.
Nigel Twiston-Davies is usually good for a Festival winner, so he knows how to ready his string. I feel it’s significant she comes here instead of a handicap option which looked like the more obvious target.
County Hurdle
West Cork
The Greatwood Hurdle, held at Cheltenham’s November meeting, was a hugely competitive affair and has thrown out multiple subsequent winners of the big handicaps this year. It just couldn’t have worked out any better.
West Cork won that day, and his rider even dropped his whip so was just hands and heels to victory. That win was even more impressive when you consider West Cork was coming off a two-year absence.
He failed to follow up in December but suffered an overreach during the race and the trainer, Harry Skelton, felt he also bounced, which is normal for a second run after a long layoff.
The Skeltons have won this race twice before. West Cork pitches up here fresh and well with just 7lb more than his Greatwood victory and is in with a huge chance at decent odds of 10/1.
