(3 minute read)
Welcome to the final day of Cheltenham Festival 2023! It’s Gold Cup day!
Today we finally reach the pinnacle of the meeting and are able to savour the blue riband of steeple chasing, The Cheltenham Gold Cup.
The current favourite Galopin Des Champ has a bit of x factor about him and is expected to run a big race for the all-conquering Willie Mullins team.
However, the De Bromhead yard are starting to land the winners this week so interest in current champion A Plus Tard and former champion Minella Indo will be renewed. King George winner, Bravemansgame, trained by Paul Nicholls could also get in the mix.
We preview the big race along with the other competitive races on this final day of the meeting. Best Cheltenham bets and best Cheltenham odds provided by our partner firms, Bet365, William Hill, Bet Victor, Betfred and Boylesports.
GETTING THERE AND OTHER DETAILS
BY TRAIN AND BUS
If you are coming in by train from Birmingham New Street, a queuing system will be in operation so as to stop dangerous congestion on the platforms due to the sheer volume of racegoers heading to The Festival. Allow plenty of time.
Shuttle buses at Cheltenham Spa will be available on the station forecourt.
WEATHER AND GOING
Soft, good to soft in places. Much milder today, light breeze and some light showers.
TICKETS & GETTING IN
Tickets are now sold out entirely for Day 4 but there are tickets available in Club, Tattersalls and Best Mate at time of writing for Days 2 and 3. Gates open at 1030am with first race at 1330.
ITV LIVE RACING
ITV 1 will be covering the first five races.
1:30 JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race) Cl1 (4yo) 2m1f ITV
15 runners
2:10 McCoy Contractors County Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) Cl1 (5yo+) 2m1f ITV
26 runners
2:50 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) (Registered As The Spa Novices' Hurdle) (GBB Race) Cl1 (5yo+) 3m ITV
20 runners
3:30 Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) Cl1 (5yo+) 3m2½f ITV
13 runners
4:10 St. James's Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase Cl2 (5yo+) 3m2½f ITV
24 runners
Races Preview
1:30 JCB Triumph Hurdle
A Willie Mullins dominated event with the County Carlow handler saddling the first three in the betting. It certainly underlines the power of Irish hurdle talent coming though. Despite some minor jumping concerns, Blood Destiny may just pip this over Lossiemouth.
SELECTION: Blood Destiny, best odds 2/1 Bet365 and William Hill.
2:10 McCoy Contractors County Handicap Hurdle
Willie Mullins looks set to strike again with potential good thing Hunters Yarn who won with plenty in hand at Navan latest. Plenty of others in with a shout in this highly competitive handicap hurdle. Similar to State Man last year, we think Mullins will hold the cards for another big handicap gamble on Hunters Yarn.
SELECTION: Hunters Yarn, best odds 5/1 with Bet365 and Boylesports.
2:50 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle
Very open renewal of the novice stayer’s championship race. Favori De Champdou has not put a foot wrong all season and looks great value to land this for Gordon Elliott and the Gigginstown stud.
SELECTION: Favori De Champdou, best odds 11/1 with William Hill, Bet Victor and Boylesports.
3:30 Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase
The showcase event of the week and the one they all want to win. It’s a fantastic renewal of the 3m 2 furlongs premier steeple chase with the highly regarded and exciting Galopin Des Champs leading the market although his price has been wobbly in recent days.
This is due to the resurgence of the De Bromhead yard this week and the avalanche of money that has been cascading onto current champion A Plus Tard.
Bravemansgame could also run a big race and end Paul Nicholls' recent hoodoo with The Gold Cup whilst Minella Indo is probably the each way bet of the week at 18/1 (Boylesports and paying 5 places).
However, the x factor is with the Willie Mullins trained favourite and we are sticking with this.
SELECTION: Galopin Des Champs, best odds 15/8 with Bet365, William Hill, Betfred and Boylesports.
4:10 St. James's Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase
Some of you may be putting the kettle on now after the excitement of the Gold Cup but for the hardcore amongst you, we think Famous Clermont could be a very exciting prospect based on his two recent runs.
SELECTION: Famous Clermont, best odds 7/1 with Bet365, William Hill, Bet Victor, Betfred and Boylesports.
SELECTIONS RECAP
1:30 JCB Triumph Hurdle: Blood Destiny, best odds 2/1 Bet365 and William Hill.
2:10 McCoy Contractors County Handicap Hurdle: Hunters Yarn, best odds 5/1 with Bet365 and Boylesports
2:50 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle: Favori De Champdou, best odds 11/1 with William Hill, Bet Victor and Boylesports.
3:30 Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase: Galopin Des Champs, best odds 15/8 with Bet365, William Hill, Betfred and Boylesports
4:10 St. James's Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase: Famous Clermont, best odds 7/1 with Bet365, William Hill, Bet Victor, Betfred and Boylesports.
Our Recommended Cheltenham Festival 2023 Betting Offers!
Bet365
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Bet Victor
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Boylesports
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MORE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL!
- Cheltenham Festival Betting Offers and Free Bets 2023!
- Champion Hurdle 2023 Betting Preview!
- Champion Chase Cheltenham 2023 Preview!
- Stayers Hurdle 2023 Preview!
- How To Bet on the Cheltenham Festival!
- How To Bet on Horse Racing!
- How To Win at Cheltenham Festival!
- Beginners Guide to Cheltenham Festival 2023!
- Cheltenham Festival 2023 Events Page!
- Best Each Way Antepost Bets for Cheltenham Festival 2023!
- Cheltenham 2023 Best Handicap Antepost Bets!
- Cheltenham Festival Bankers 2023!
- 10 Best Bets for Cheltenham Festival 2023!
Have a great Cheltenham Festival 2023 and have fun!
Please note all odds are correct at the time of publishing (6:30pm 16th March 2023) and are subject to change.