Cheltenham Day Four Best Bets
Following three outstanding days of action at Prestbury Park, the 2025 edition of the Cheltenham Festival reaches a thrilling crescendo on Friday afternoon. The big highlight of the day comes in the Cheltenham Gold Cup as Galopin Des Champs bids to cement his legacy with a third successive win in the race. With his Irish form being franked in no uncertain terms by Fact To File in the Ryanair Chase, we are in no rush to take on the odds on favourite in the feature.
Whilst we suspect the main event may turn into something of a one-sided affair, the remainder of the Day 4 card appears far more open. Here, we pick out our three best bets as we bid to end the meeting on a high.
1:20 JCB Triumph Hurdle
A pair of unbeaten British stars head the betting in the opener in the shape of East India Dock from the yard of James Owen and the Nicky Henderson-trained Lulamba. The former has put in a couple of monstrous displays already at the track, whilst the latter represents the most successful trainer in Triumph Hurdle history.
We haven’t got anything against the aforementioned duo, but whether they should be around half the price of the leading Irish contender, we aren’t so sure.
Gavin Cromwell’s Hello Neighbour leads the Irish charge, but the form of his Grade 1 win at Leopardstown took a knock on Wednesday when the runner-up Galileo Dame managed only sixth in the Mares’ Novices Hurdle. With Willy De Houelle and Lady Vega Allen finishing further behind that day, we will take a chance that race possibly wasn’t as strong as it appeared and look further down the betting list.
Saint Lucie is surely better than she showed last time out, having looked like a star in the making on her yard debut. She makes some appeal at 25/1, but at a slightly shorter price, it may be worth giving another chance to Mondo Man.
Considering he has failed to settle in each of his two outings, this Gary & Josh Moore runner has done remarkably well to finish second and third, each time hitting the line with plenty left in the tank. The big field and frenetic nature of this may help him find an early rhythm, whilst the first time hood should help his concentration. A Group class performer on the flat, he appears to stay this trip well and can run on to at least hit the frame.
- Recommended Bet - Mondo Man each way @ 20/1 with bet365- £5 each way returns £130 if Mondo Man wins
5:20 Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase
Dinoblue is a short-price favourite in the big event of the day for the mares, carries the JP McManus silks, and represents the all-conquering Willie Mullins. However, at a general price of Even money, we are keen to take on a mare who has failed in three previous outings at the Cheltenham Festival. Only ninth in the 2022 Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, she finished second in the 2023 Grand Annual and again filled the runners-up spot in the 2024 edition of this. Chances are she won’t be far away, but better value lies further down the list.
6lb worse off with her stablemate having finished behind her at Naas, Allegorie De Vassy probably won’t turn the tables; Brides Hill arrives on the back of two odds on defeats in lesser events than this, and Shecouldbeanything is zero from four at Grade 2 level or above.
All of which brings us to the defending champ, Limerick Lace. This one needs to improve significantly on this season's efforts but has been given a break since New Year’s Day, and this is undoubtedly the main aim for the season. Having had over two months to reach a peak at home, we trust Gavin Cromwell to have her in peak condition on the day. Proven over track and trip, she can go very close to defending her crown.
- Recommended Bet - Limerick Lace each way @ 7/1 with bet365 - £5 each way returns £52 if Limerick Lace wins
4:40 Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle
Henry De Bromhead enjoyed an excellent Thursday at the meeting, headlined by the success of Bob Olinger in the Stayers Hurdle. The Gold Cup-winning handler has solid claims of striking over the same course and distance in this event as he sends the unbeaten The Big Westerner into battle. In receipt of the mares allowance, she looks sure to go well.
As much as we like The Big Westerner, we narrowly prefer the claims of French raider Jet Blue. In many novice events, we wouldn’t be drawn to a runner with 15 appearances under their belt, but experience can count for plenty in the rough and tumble of a 20-runner affair such as this. In two Grade 1 efforts in his homeland, Jet Blue finished fourth and third in Bumper contests – efforts which look all the more commendable as it appears staying is his game.
The final tick in the box comes in the shape of his form over course and distance, which reads one win from as many starts. That effort came last time out when sauntering 6½l clear of his rivals in the Grade 2 trial for this race at the December meeting. The main event will demand more, but we loved the stamina and gears he showed that day and fancy he won’t be far away at the line.
- Recommended Bet - Jet Blue each way @ 7/1 with bet365 - £5 each way returns £52 if Jet Blue wins
A £1 each-way patent on the above selections returns £1,849.36 with bet365 if all three win and £68.36 if all three only finished placed.
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