Megan Nicholls Cheltenham Festival Day 4 Tips – Gold Cup & more

FRIDAY RACING TIPS

Cheltenham 1.20 – Triumph Hurdle

This race is much more open than the betting suggests.

There is plenty to like about East India Dock (7/4 fav) and Lulamba (2/1) but I’m taking them on with Hello Neighbour (9/2).

I’ve followed this horse for quite a while and Gavin Cromwell has always rated him really highly

He’s unbeaten in four starts, including twice over hurdles, and I thought he won the Grade 1 at the Dublin Racing Festival more comfortably than the winning margin suggested.

This is a horse with a massive engine and I fancy him to topple the two favourites.

Megan’s Tip: Hello Neighbour WIN

Cheltenham 2.00 – County Hurdle

Five places each way with BetMGM here and I do think the market has it right with Kargese (11/4 fav) at the top of it.

She was very keen last time at Ascot and ran pretty well considering – the winner, Take No Chances, was third in the Mares’ Hurdle earlier in the week so the form doesn’t read too badly now either.

She had some really smart form as a juvenile and she just looks like a classic Willie Mullins horse for this race.

Each way, I’ll chance Hansard (12/1) with the first-time cheekpieces.

His run in the Kingwell Hurdle was a step back in the right direction and he could still be quite well-handicapped off 142 given his good victory at Newbury last season off a similar mark.

Megan’s Tip: Kargese WIN; Hansard EW

Cheltenham 2.40 – Mares’ Chase

It’s hard to look past Dinoblue (11/10 fav).

If they make more use of her this year, she should take all the beating. She’s a good stayer at this trip and I do think she’s the class act in the field.

If you can get odds against, I think that’s a great price

Megan’s Tips: Dinoblue WIN

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Cheltenham 3.20 – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle

This race is an absolute graveyard for favourites and we’ve seen all manner of results over the years, so tread carefully here.

I’m not sure this year’s renewal is the strongest, but like always you’re going to need one that is pretty tough and doesn’t mind a battle at the finish.

The one I like is Jet Blue (11/2), who was very impressive at the December meeting winning by over six lengths.

He’ll need to jump a bit better, but I think he’s got plenty of quality and might just be a bit better than this lot.

Megan’s Tips: Jet Blue WIN

Cheltenham 4.00 – Gold Cup

As renewals of the Gold Cup go this is a pretty disappointing one, isn’t it? Although Gavin Cromwell supplementing Inothewayurthinkin (13/2) does make it better.

It’s going to be a small field and it’s really hard not to think Galopin Des Champs (8/15 fav) will win – and win easily.

The track and trip clearly really suit Willie Mullins’ charge and, while I tried to find something to take him on, there’s just nothing of his class in here.

When the distance markets come out, I would have a good look at those because I’m of the belief this race is simply a matter of how far jockey Paul Townend wants to win by.

Banbridge (9/2) will love the drying ground and if there’s ever a chance he’ll get this trip it’s on this sound surface.

However, I don’t put him in the same class as Galopin Des Champs and can’t really see him troubling the short-priced favourite.

Megan’s Tip: Galopin Des Champs WIN

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