It is flown by like a racehorse storming down the house stretch, however the Cheltenham Festival is sort of full for one more 12 months as we head into right now’s Gold Cup finale.
Day three supplied loads of twists and turns because the likes of Envoi Allen, Sire Du Berlais and Seddon defied the percentages to prevail – and this afternoon guarantees to be simply as dramatic.
Forward of the fourth and last day, Sportsmail takes a have a look at what’s occurring on and off the observe in its final serving to of Cheltenham Breakfast.
Courageous punter scoops £50k
A Paddy Energy buyer landed a £50k windfall off the again of a £1 each-way 5-fold accumulator guess when he bravely cashed out earlier than hot-favourite Luccia misplaced out to 16/1 shot You Put on It Nicely within the Jack De Bromhead Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.
The UK primarily based punter had backed the primary 4 winners of the day, with Stage Star (1st race), Good Time Jonny (2nd race), Envoi Allen (third race) and eventually Sire Du Berlais (4th race) all clicking.
One courageous punter accurately referred to as the primary 4 winners on day three at Cheltenham, together with Sire Du Berlais (pictured), earlier than efficiently cashing out for £50k
He skipped the Magners Plate at 4.10pm, and had Luccia received the sixth race of the day, the punter would have netted a whopping £283,672.
Nonetheless, the shrewd buyer cashed out on the ultimate leg of his guess earlier than Luccia ran, and he had the final snort when the new favorite completed fourth.
Paddy Energy spokesperson Rachael Kane stated: ‘This punter will need to have been clairvoyant to select the primary 4 winners, instantly keep away from a race, entry the satiation and determine to money out for a superb £47,823.27. The backer has loved a superb day and certain he may have received a cool quarter of a mill, however he got here the fitting aspect of the outcome.’
Eire seal Prestbury Cup
Angels Daybreak’s victory within the concluding Kim Muir Chase on Thursday sealed the Prestbury Cup for Eire with a complete day of racing to spare, that means they’ve now claimed the prize at 4 of the final 5 festivals.
The UK have taken fairly a battering of their annual grudge match this 12 months, solely producing six winners throughout 21 races from Tuesday to Thursday.
Angels Daybreak’s victory in Kim Muir Chase noticed Eire retain Prestbury Cup with someday left
They haven’t got here out on high within the Prestbury Cup for a demoralising eight years and counting, with the 2019 version ending in a tie.
Let’s hope for higher fortunes within the rugby this weekend…
Is St Patrick’s Day dominance in retailer?
To rub salt within the wound, Paddy Energy have slashed their worth for an Irish clear sweep on St Patrick’s Day.
The Dublin agency are providing odds of simply 11/4 for Eire to win each single race this afternoon, which speaks volumes about their dominance at this 12 months’s competition.
In the event that they pull it off, it can go down as the most important Prestbury Cup victory by a ways since its inception 9 years in the past, with their 19-9 triumph in 2017 the present document.
Attendance figures make grim studying
Capability for this 12 months’s occasion could have been capped at 68,500 – a results of racegoers complaining it was too busy in 2022 – but official attendance figures counsel competition chiefs needn’t have bothered.
Solely 50,387 followers rocked up on day three, which is down 14,044 on final 12 months. Tuesday’s crowd was additionally simply 60,284, a drop of 8,283.
The uncertainty of public transport this week has after all performed a component in that decline, whereas the present cost-of-living disaster is one other apparent issue.
Although extra considerably, final 12 months’s enormous numbers have been probably inflated by the post-Covid bounce again as individuals appeared to revive their pre-lockdown habits.
Solely 50,387 followers rocked up on day three of the competition, which is down 14,044 on final 12 months
Capability for this 12 months’s occasion was capped at 68,500, however competition chiefs needn’t have bothered
Sore heads and ft galore
Any returning punters feeling barely inexperienced across the gills have been capable of top off on headache tablets at Cheltenham’s very personal pharmacy this week.
In accordance with supervisor James Powell, ibuprofen has been the most well-liked merchandise up till lunchtime. After that, foot blister merchandise have been promoting like wildfire.
Forking out on a brand new pair of sneakers for Cheltenham will need to have felt like an excellent concept on the time…
‘You foolish sod!’
When he offloaded Seddon final August, little did horse proprietor Max McNeill know he would come to deeply remorse it seven months later.
Seddon’s triumph in Magners Plate Handicap Chase left former proprietor Max McNeill in despair
McNeill may solely watch on in despair on Thursday as 20/1 Seddon, the horse he named after his late mum earlier than promoting it to the Galaxy Horse Racing Syndicate, claimed a shocking victory within the Magners Plate Handicap Chase.
‘I purchased the horse and named her after my late mum,’ he advised ITV Racing after the gut-wrenching second.
‘Firstly I am delighted for the present house owners, however I believe my mum can be wanting down on me saying, “you foolish sod!”‘
Harry Redknapp’s Shakem Up’Arry got here third
Delight for ‘Arry
In contrast to McNeill, Harry Redknapp loved a superb day on the races as his nine-year-old bay gelding Shakem Up’Arry got here in third behind Seddon and Fugitif.
‘He is ran a blinder right now, an excellent run and I am actually happy,’ the previous soccer supervisor stated.
‘I am a bundle of nerves watching races, I fear in regards to the horses. I simply need them to come back again secure. I like them.
‘So long as they get spherical I am completely happy. In the event that they fall I am distraught.
‘I’ve received some good horses, I like the game, it is my massive ardour.’
Beat the Bookies on day two – The CHEAT SHEET!
Mick Fitzgerald, Ruby Walsh and Jane Mangan forged their eyes over day 4 of the Cheltenham Festival as they decide their winners for the ultimate day of the week.
In Paddy Power’s every day cheat sheet, the three consultants have picked out their ideas for Friday’s seven races.
Mick Fitzgerald
1.30pm – Triumph Hurdle, 2m 1f
I used to be actually taken with BLOOD DESTINY when he received at Cork. Paul Townend has opted to journey Lossiemouth after an unfortunate run at Leopardstown but it surely will need to have been a troublesome alternative.
2.10pm – County Handicap Hurdle, 2m 1f
FILEY BAY was unfortunate to complete second within the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury final month. He’s a little bit increased within the handicap now which isn’t ultimate, however he may nonetheless be bettering.
2.50pm – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, 3m
CORBETTS CROSS has received over 2m and stays 3m and never a lot of this subject can say that. He seems to be a reduce above (NAP).
Mick Fitzgerald can also be backing A Plus Tard to repeat final 12 months’s Gold Cup success on Friday
3.30pm – Cheltenham Gold Cup, 3m, 21/2f
I am prepared to belief that coach Henry De Bromhead could have A PLUS TARD able to go after a disappointing season. Final 12 months’s Gold Cup winner may very well be the forgotten horse within the race.
1. A Plus Tard
2. Stattler
3. Galopin Des Champs
4.10pm – Hunters’ Chase, 3m 2f
Henry de Bromhead’s runner CHRIS’S DREAM has received a few points-to-points and that can set him up properly for this Hunters’ Chase.
4.50pm – Mrs Paddy Energy Mares’ Chase, 2m 41/2f
Allegoire de Vassy jumps very badly proper which won’t swimsuit at this observe. IMPERVIOUS is the one I like as she is a rock-solid jumper and has put up some good performances this season. She’ll deal with the bottom too.
5.30pm – Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle, 2m 2f
COOL SURVIVOR is unexposed and must be an enormous participant with sensible younger pilot, Sam Ewing, on board.
Galopin Des Champs – the large favorite – is the one horse for Ruby Walsh within the Gold Cup
Ruby Walsh
1.30pm – Triumph Hurdle, 2m 1f
The softer it will get the larger probability that provides BLOOD DESTINY. It’ll undoubtedly swimsuit if the going is heavy.
2.10pm – County Handicap Hurdle, 2m 1f
I am with BALLYADAM. He ran rather well behind Gaelic Warrior on the Dublin Racing Pageant and he is in all probability overpriced.
2.50pm – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, 3m
I’ve been with CORBETTS CROSS since Christmas and I’m going to stick with him.
3.30pm – Cheltenham Gold Cup, 3m, 21/2f
GALOPIN DES CHAMPS all day, daily and I’d like to be using him. Noble Yeats may up being his greatest hazard.
4.10pm – Hunters’ Chase, 3m 2f
I’m a VAUCELET man. He’s an enormous, massive runner. CHRIS’S DREAM is the worth.
4.50pm – Mrs Paddy Energy Mares’ Chase, 2m 41/2f
ALLEGORIE DE VASSY is the category horse within the race. If you wish to oppose her you’d should go massive and that is perhaps Riviere D’etel.
5.30pm – Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle, 2m 2f
It is a actually aggressive race and one of many novices will win it. I hope it is Spanish Harlem as it will spherical out an enormous week for Michael O’Sullivan however, at a worth, SPIRIT OF LEGEND may run an enormous race
Lossiemouth is Jane Mangan’s decide for Triumph Hurdle having impressed in her profession to this point
Jane Mangan
1.30pm – Triumph Hurdle, 2m 1f
I’ve been a fan of LOSSIEMOUTH ever since her Irish debut at Fairyhouse. It is arduous to know what Blood Future has crushed. I will stick to the attractive gray mare.
2.10pm – County Hurdle, 2m 1f
Simply the 26 runners however I fancy Dan Skelton to proceed his sensible document on this race courtesy of PEMBROKE. He may very well be properly handicapped.
2.50pm – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, 3m
Each time I watched THREE CARD BRAG this season, I all the time thought he’d be a correct horse over three miles. Now’s the time for him to show his value!
3.30pm – Cheltenham Gold Cup, 3m, 21/2f
I’m hoping that GALOPIN DES CHAMPS can present us how good he actually is by powering up the hill forward of this high quality subject. So unfortunate in final 12 months’s Turners Novice Chase, when falling on the final with the race received – that is his time to shine brighter than all the different stars on present.
Mangan can also be backing Galopin Des Champs to assert victory within the Gold Cup on Friday
4.10pm – Hunters’ Chase, 3m 2f
Patrick Mullins and Billaway picked Barry O’Neill’s pocket on Winged Chief final 12 months and stablemate VAUCELET could get his revenge for connections now.
4.50pm – Mrs Paddy Energy Mares’ Chase, 2m 41/2f
Regardless of having simply two runs over fences so far, ALLEGORIE DE VASSY has the potential to be high class. She was adequate to beat Brandy Love over hurdles and I hope she exhibits us her skill now.
5.30pm – Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle, 2m 2f
The Pageant Finale and whereas IMAGINE has been campaigned over 2M this season the step as much as 2m 4f and coach Gordon Elliott likes to focus on this race.
1.30pm – Triumph Hurdle, 2m 1f
The market suggests GALA MARCEAU was actually lucky to beat Lossiemouth on the Dublin Racing Pageant however I’m far much less certain. I believe she represents nice worth with the primary time hood hopefully serving to her settle.
2.10pm – County Hurdle, 2m 1f
MAGNOR GLORY has a very good document contemporary and was an excellent winner at Listowel when final seen in a race that has labored out properly. Put away after that win, he has man of the hour Michael O’ Sullivan taking off 3lbs and drying floor isn’t any damaging for him.
2.50pm – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, 3m
This race frequently throws up an enormous worth winner however it can take an honest effort to show over each Three Card Brag and Corbett Cross. I simply favour THREE CARD BRAG who’s bred to excel at this journey.
3.30pm – Cheltenham Gold Cup, 3m, 21/2f
SOUNDS RUSSIAN has improved with each begin this season and he seems to be to have respectable each-way claims at an enormous worth.
4.10pm – Hunters’ Chase, 3m 2f
ROCKY’S HOWYA has been turned inside out since becoming a member of Declan Queally successful his 5 level to factors by vast margins, final time beating the extremely rated Chatham Avenue Lad by 45 lengths.
4.50pm – Mrs Paddy Energy Mares’ Chase, 2m 41/2f
ALLEGORIE DE VASSY could leap a little bit proper however I’m satisfied she has an enormous engine and I believe she is going to take loads of beating right here.
5.30pm – Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle, 2m 2f
IROKO is 2-2 in handicaps, successful final time by 14 lengths at Wetherby. The 10lb rise for that win could underestimate him. He may very well be higher than a handicapper.
