Here are Brian’s tips for the final day of the Cheltenham Festival, including a long-odds pick for the famous Gold Cup:
13:20 – JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1)
There are not a lot of runners but it is a quality field. You could make a case for several of these – but the two who really stand out are Zanahiyr and Tritonic. Although Zanahiyr is the favourite, I’m slightly favouring the Alan King trained Tritonic – he’s had a similar route into this race as a few past winners – obviously Alan King won the Racing Post (now the Adonis) Juvenile at Kempton with Penzance who subsequently won the Triumph Hurdle. Visually Tritonic was very impressive – the way he quickened from the two or three out – and the drying ground should suit. Obviously, you’ve got the likes of the Pipes horse, Adagio, and Willie Mullin’s pair, but I have just been very taken by Tritonic.
14:30 – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
It’s one of the bigger fields of the day and you’d have to say it’s an open sort of race – Fergal O’Brien’s horse Alaphilippe comes into it after winning the Albert Bartlett Trial at Haydock on soft ground so you’d have to think he has a big chance. Willie Mullins is well represented in it as well but I just slightly prefer Fergal’s horse – he jumps and stays very well and I think he is still improving.
15:05 – The WellChild Cheltenham Gold Cup Steeple Chase (Grade 1) 3m2½f
Another great race – obviously you’ve got Al Boum Photo trying to win the race again for a third time, Champ, last year’s RSA winner who’s had an unusual prep and Santini, last year’s second with a visor.
Although you have to fancy Al Boum Photo and Champ who are both shorter prices, I think Native River and Frodon will ensure they go a good gallop so I’m slightly preferring Santini – I know he’s not had a particularly good year and hasn’t actually won this season but with a visor on, I think he’s a good each-way player at 12-1, just for the fact they’ll go a good pace. It will be no surprise seeing Al Boum Photo winning it again but I think the quicker pace will suit Santini better.