The Cheltenham Festival reaches its final two days and by this stage the week’s storylines are usually well established. Thursday traditionally belongs to the stayers and the mares, while Friday brings the curtain down with Cheltenham Gold Cup day, one of the most prestigious races in the entire sport.
As always, the closing stages of the Festival bring fiercely competitive handicaps, championship contests and the type of racing that has made Cheltenham such a centrepiece of the National Hunt season.
Below are some of the runners who stand out ahead of Thursday and Friday’s action.
Thursday: Cheltenham Festival
1.20: Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)
Bambino Fever arrives with a strong profile for this race. Winner of the Festival Bumper last season, she has continued to progress over hurdles and travels smoothly through her races. The stiff Cheltenham finish should suit and she looks capable of running well if maintaining that upward curve.
2.00: Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2)
Regent’s Stroll represents last season’s winning connections and brings solid novice chase form. An accurate jumper with good tactical speed, he appears well suited to the demands of this intermediate trip around Cheltenham.
2.40: Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle
Wodhooh is a strong stayer who arrives with a profile that often suits this race. Experience and stamina tend to play a key role in the Mares’ Hurdle and she looks the type who could be finishing strongly if the race is run at a good pace.
3.20: Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
Bob Olinger caused a surprise when landing this race last year but his Grade 1 credentials have never been in doubt. A proven performer over three miles who handles Cheltenham well, he will be of interest again if rediscovering his best rhythm in what is always a demanding championship test.
4.00: Ryanair Chase (Grade 1)
Fact To File has established himself among the leading chasers over this intermediate trip. A fluent jumper with plenty of cruising speed, he appears well suited to the tempo and demands of the Ryanair Chase if producing another polished round of jumping.
4.40: TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase
Supremely West has plenty of experience in competitive handicaps and tends to travel strongly in large fields. With stamina for the trip and previous Festival experience, he could be involved late on in what is usually a strongly run race.
5.20: Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup (Amateur Riders’ Handicap Chase)
Waterford Whispers looks a horse built for a stamina test. With experience in longer distance chases, he appears well suited to the demands of the Kim Muir where patience and stamina are often decisive factors.
Day Three: PK’s Watchlist
1.20: Bambino Fever
2.00: Regent’s Stroll
2.40: Wodhooh
3.20: Bob Olinger
4.00: Fact To File
4.40: Supremely West
5.20: Waterford Whispers
Friday: Cheltenham Festival
Gold Cup Day always brings the Festival to its dramatic conclusion. Alongside the sport’s blue riband event, the card includes several competitive contests that can produce memorable finishes before the week draws to a close.
1.20: JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1)
Maestro Conti looks an interesting juvenile heading into this contest. With strong form in graded company and the tactical speed needed for a sharp two mile race, he could adapt well to the demands of the Triumph Hurdle if settling early.
2.00: County Handicap Hurdle
Hello Neighbour is an improving handicapper who travels well through his races. The County Hurdle is often run at a strong gallop and a horse capable of finishing strongly can make an impact late in the race.
2.40: Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase (Grade 2)
Spindleberry is a consistent mare with solid jumping technique and proven stamina. Cheltenham’s undulating track often rewards horses who maintain their rhythm and she appears capable of doing just that.
3.20: Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
Thedeviluno arrives as a progressive staying novice and the Albert Bartlett is well known as a thorough stamina test. His recent win at Doncaster suggests he could continue to develop over this type of distance.
4.00: Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (Grade 1)
The Gold Cup remains the centrepiece of the entire Festival. Jango Baie brings high class chase form into the race and appears to have both the stamina and jumping ability required for this demanding test. Conserving energy early in the contest can be crucial and those who finish strongly from the second last fence often come to the fore.
4.40: Princess Royal Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase
Chemical Energy is an experienced stayer who has shown he can handle Cheltenham in the past. With stamina and experience on his side, he looks well suited to this extended test for amateur riders.
5.20: Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle
Jump Allen is a progressive handicap hurdler who appears suited to a strongly run two and a half miles. The Martin Pipe often produces a competitive finish and horses who stay on strongly can feature prominently.
Day Four: PK’s Watchlist
1.20: Maestro Conti
2.00: Hello Neighbour
2.40: Spindleberry
3.20: Thedeviluno
4.00: Jango Baie
4.40: Chemical Energy
5.20: Jump Allen
The final two days of the Cheltenham Festival always produce drama, and this year’s Thursday and Gold Cup Day cards look no different.
PK Has His Say is an opinion based racing column for general interest and entertainment only. All views expressed are the personal opinion of the writer and are not intended as betting advice. Gambling involves risk and readers should only ever stake what they can afford to lose.
