Cheltenham Day 4 Tips - Gold Cup Day
Friday at the Cheltenham Festival is arguably the most anticipated of the four days of horse racing, as the featured race of the Cheltenham Gold Cup is the best-known of the whole event, and is a highlight of the national hunt season. Cheltenham Festival day 4 also presents the last opportunity for seasoned bettors to try and turn a profit, and also generates interest from the less-experienced members of the public who are looking to have a flutter based on the latest Gold Cup odds.
The New Course plays host to several of the biggest races at the festival throughout day 4, including the Triumph Hurdle, County Hurdle, Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, Hunters’ Chase, Mares’ Chase, and the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle. However, these are all dwarfed by the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the most famous race of the festival, and the showpiece event on the final day.
The Cheltenham Festival heads into its final day after three days of scintillating action.
The card runs from 13.30-17:30 and includes three Grade 1s, the Triumph Hurdle (13.30), the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (14.50 and the Gold Cup itself (15.30)
We've assessed the action across the card on Friday at Cheltenham and picked out our best bets.
13:30 -JCB Triumph Hurdle (2m 1f)
With serious question marks over Nicky Henderson’s stable, it’d be difficult to back Sir Gino at short odds, so it’s best to look elsewhere and it may not be all bad for the owners of Sir Gino as the Triumph winner could be their other runner, Salvator Mundi. We have yet to see him run in the UK or Ireland, and his only run was when he finished just under two lengths behind Sir Gino at Auteuil last April. No juvenile has really stood out from the Mullins team this year, and although he is a bit of an unknown, he is worth taking a chance on.
14.10 - BetMGM County Handicap Hurdle (2m 1f)
Dan Skelton & Willie Mullins have dominated this race in recent years, but this year could see a change, and it may be Paul Nicholls who wins the County Hurdle. Afadil came into the season looking very well handicapped, after ending last season with an impressive win. It’s taken a while for him to get going this season, but he looked back to his best last time out at Musselburgh, and could run a big race here.
14:50 - Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1, 3m)
Dancing City won the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival, and whilst that race has not produced any winners of the Albert Bartlett, it looked a good renewal this year; he could be the one to break the trend. He was the outsider of the field but he looked so much better stepping up in trip and saw off his rivals easily.
15.30 - Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (Grade 1, 3m2½f)
Winning back-to-back Gold Cups is no easy task, but it’s hard to see anything else but Galopin Des Champs retaining his crown. He’s coming in with better form than he did last year, with two superb performances in the Savills Chase and the Irish Gold Cup. He managed to beat Fastorslow in the Irish Gold Cup, which would have been a huge boost for connections, having been beaten by him twice in the last year.
16:10 -St. James's Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase (3m2½f)
Last year's runner up Its On The Line looks to go one better than year, and he will be doing it in the famous green and gold colours of JP McManus, having been bought by him recently. He has been in fine form this season, winning on all three of his starts, and beating Ferns Lock, who is prominent in the betting for this race.
16.50 - Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase (Grade 2, 2m4½f)
Dinoblue will go off favourite, and it's hard seeing anything else beat her. She’s been in mighty form this year, beating the likes of Fill Dor, Saint Roi & Gentleman De Mee, with her only defeat coming to El Fabiolo. The only slight question mark around her is the trip, having only run over this distance once in a hurdle race where she finished fourth, but she finishes her races off well, and an extra half-mile should not be an issue.
17:30 - Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle (2m4½f)
The final race of the meeting is always competitive and usually favours progressive types. Better Days Ahead has been running well behind some good novice hurdlers, and looks well handicapped here on a mark of 140. He will be ridden by Danny Gilligan, who is one of the best conditional jockeys around, and that boosts his chances.
About Cheltenham Day 4
Day 4 at Cheltenham is the one that really draws the crowds, with over 60,000 people expected to be in attendance at the racecourse itself. However, millions more will tune in to watch the races on television, and to place Cheltenham day 4 bets online. The highlight is undoubtedly the Gold Cup, which is what draws most of the focus across the day, as the “greatest show on turf” comes to an end.
These days, all races on day 4 are run on Cheltenham’s New Course, which takes a battering as multiple horses compete in the different feats of endurance. In fact, the races on day 4 are designed to test the competitor’s stamina, especially on the run-in that takes a steeper gradient up Cheltenham hill. As such, things can change right at the last, which adds to the excitement, intrigue, and anticipation on the final day of the festival.
2023 Cheltenham Day 4 Preview
WHEN: Friday 15th March 2024
WHERE: Cheltenham Racecourse, Prestbury Park - New Course
- 13:30: Triumph Hurdle
- 14:10: County Hurdle
- 14:50: Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
- 15:30: Cheltenham Gold Cup
- 16:10: Hunters’ Chase
- 16:50: Mares’ Chase
- 17:30: Martin Pipe Hurdle
Day 4 Cheltenham Festival Tips 2024
Let’s take a look at some of the trends for the 2024 festival and Cheltenham day 4 tips based on previous results in recent years.
Cheltenham Festival Day 4 Tips - Triumph Hurdle
The Triumph Hurdle is the first race of the 4th day at Cheltenham, contested over a distance of 2 miles and 1 furlong, and is a Grade 1 hurdles race for horses that are aged four. When it comes to the last three winners, Paul Townend won the race in 2020 and 2022, riding Burning Victory and Vauban respectively, while Rachael Blackmore and Quilixios tasted victory in the 2021 running.
It’s worth noting that in recent history, a mixture of favourites and short-priced horses have generally won this race, with longer-odds outsiders not troubling very often.
Day 4 Cheltenham Tips - County Hurdle
The County Hurdle is open to horses aged five and older, and is a Grade 3 race run over 2 miles and 1 furlong, with eight hurdles to clear in total. State Man won in 2022, ridden by Paul Townend, while Belfast Banter and Kevin Sexton claimed the win in 2021.
Recent trends have seen horses with a price in the double digits coming out on top, with the aforementioned Belfast Banter being priced at 33/1. In that same vein, the favourite has won only two of the past 10 renewals, meaning there could be value in looking further afield.
Cheltenham Festival Day 4 Tips - Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
The Novices’ Hurdle on day 4 of Cheltenham is a Grade 1 race open to horses four years old and above, where they have to navigate 12 hurdles over a distance of 3 miles. The Nice Guy was piloted by Sean O’Keeffe to lead the field in 2022’s race, while Mark Walsh rode Vanillier to a win in 2021.
Day 4 Festival Tips - Cheltenham Gold Cup
The Gold Cup is the main race of not only the final day, but also of the entire Cheltenham Festival. As one of the most famous steeplechases in the world, it’s little wonder why so many people look to place bets on the Gold Cup each year. There are also, understandably, a lot of differing opinions about which horses have the potential to join the likes of 2022’s A Plus Tard, 2021’s Minella Indo, and 2020 and 2019 winner Al Boum Photo in the annals of history.
Arguably the most prestigious jumps race in the world, this is one of the events where the favourites or those with shorter odds do generally dominate, meaning that current favourite Galopin Des Champs could be worth the backing.
Cheltenham Festival Day 4 Tips - Hunters’ Chase
The Hunters’ Chase consists of 22 fences across a distance of 3 miles and 2.5 furlongs, consisting of horses that are five years or older, and only open to amateur jockeys. It’s sometimes informally known as the “Amateur’s Gold Cup” due to being run across the same distance and course. Recent winners include Billaway in 2022 and Porlock Bay in 2021.
When it comes to trends, this is an unpredictable race when it comes to simply looking at the favourites, with a broad spectrum between the price of winners. 2020’s 66/1 winner It Came To Pass and 2016’s 13/8 victor On The Fringe further highlight how up in the air the result is.
Cheltenham Day 4 Tips - Mares’ Chase
The Mares’ chase has only been in existence since 2021, but it’s a Grade 2 across 2 miles and 4 furlongs with a total of 17 fences that serves as the penultimate race. It’s open to female horses aged five or older, and previous winners include Elimay, who was ridden by Mark Walsh in the 2022 renewal, and Colreevy, ridden by Paul Townend in 2021.
Given that it’s such a new race, the trend analysis for the Mares’ Chase isn’t exactly extensive. However, it could be of note to learn that both previous winners were trained by Willie Mullins and that both were 8 years old at the time of winning.
Day 4 Cheltenham Festival Tips - Martin Pipe Hurdle
The Martin Pipe Hurdle is the race that brings down the curtain on the 2023 Cheltenham Festival. It features nine hurdles across a 2 mile and 4.5 furlong stretch of track, and is open to horses aged four years and above. Banbridge in 2022, Galopin Des Champs in 2021, and Indefatigable in 2020 are all previous winners.
Cheltenham Festival Day 4 FAQs
Here, we answer some of the most burning questions people have about the final day of the Cheltenham Festival 2023.
When Did Cheltenham Change to 4 Days?
Up until 2005, the Cheltenham Festival lasted just three days, but it was extended to four to provide more opportunities for fantastic horse racing action and to increase the spectacle of the event.
Is the Cheltenham Festival 5 Days?
No, the Cheltenham Festival takes place across 4 days, with Friday’s races bringing a close to the action. Day 4 plays host to seven races, culminating with the Martin Pipe Hurdle.
Who Are the Most Successful Cheltenham Day 4 Trainers?
Big names in the world of horse racing, such as Willie Mullins, Paul Nicholls, Henry de Bromhead, and Nicky Henderson are among the most successful trainers at Cheltenham, particularly on Gold Cup day.
Which Horses Are Running on the 4th Day of the Cheltenham Festival?
The exact horses running in each race of this year’s festival will be confirmed on the day of the event. However, ante-post horse racing betting markets make a best guess of the potential horses that may be considered to compete.
Who Are the Current Favourite Horses to Win on Cheltenham Gold Cup Day?
You can find the current favourites for each race listed within the Cheltenham Festival betting pages of our sportsbook. Please note that these are subject to change.
Where Can I Find Day 4 Cheltenham Horse Racing Tips?
You can find Cheltenham tips for every race right here at BetUK, including Friday tips for the Gold Cup, Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle, the Spa Novices Hurdle, and more of the biggest national hunt races in the UK.
What is the First Race on the Final Day of the Cheltenham Festival 2024?
The first race on day 4 of Cheltenham is the Grade 1 Triumph Hurdle, which has been run at the festival since 1968.
What is the Last Race on the Final Day of the Cheltenham Festival 2024?
The closing race of the day is the Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle, which was established in 2009.
What is the Big Race on the Final Day of the Cheltenham Festival 2024?
The biggest race on the final day is undoubtedly the Grade 1 Cheltenham Gold Cup, which is the second-most wagered-on race in the UK, behind the Grand National. Past winners include A Plus Tard, who was ridden by Rachael Blackmore and trained by Henry de Bromhead.
