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Cheltenham 2023: Day Four race card, top tips from the track, TV details and everything you need to know

17 April 2022: Galopin Des Champs, with Paul Townend up, at Fairyhouse Expand
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17 April 2022: Galopin Des Champs, with Paul Townend up, at Fairyhouse

17 April 2022: Galopin Des Champs, with Paul Townend up, at Fairyhouse

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17 April 2022: Galopin Des Champs, with Paul Townend up, at Fairyhouse

Niall Scully

The big one. The Gold Cup. The blue riband of the Cheltenham Festival.

A day to remember for Henry De Bromhead last year. He had the first two home - A Plus Tard moving away from Minella Indo. As Rachael Blackmore became the first female jockey to win the Gold Cup.

Galopin Des Champs, under Paul Townend, is a leading contender. Last year, in the Turners Novices' Chase, he looked a certain winner before falling at the last.

The aptly named Bravemansgame will attract much interest. He won the King George V1 Chase at Kempton on St Stephen's Day.

The first race on the card, the Triumph Hurdle, has the name of Tiger Roll among its past winners. Last year, the first five horses over the line were Irish-trained, including the winner, Vauban, for Willie Mullins. Four of his runners are well regarded here - Blood Destiny, Lossiemouth, Gala Marceau and Zenta.

Mullins also captured the County Hurdle with State Man last March. Filey Bay will carry the hopes, and the few bob, of many. As will Gin Coco, Hunters Yarn, Pembroke and last year's runner-up, First Street.

Stamina is the key ingredient in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle. Future Gold Cup winners have won it - including Bobs Worth, Lord Windermere and Minella Indo.

Embassy Gardens is among the favourites for Wilie Mullins. He won it last season with a name that mirrors himself - The Nice Guy.

The Festival Hunters' Chase contained much drama last time. The Irish-trained Billaway won, despite Winged Leader leading by six lengths after the final fence. Billaway will defend the crown.

Last year's Paddy Power Mares' Chase also produced a cracking finish as Elimay won by a nose. He was second the previous year. Strong showings are expected from Impervious, Jeremy's Flame, Allegorie De Vassy and Magic Daze.

The last race of the day, and the week, contains much intrigue. No favourite has won the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle in the last ten years. In that time, there have been victories for horses priced at 25/1, 16/1 and 14/1. Banbridge was successful last March for Joseph Patrick O'Brien. The tipsters' picks include Imagine, Spanish Harlem and Cool Survivor.

Cheltenham Festival Day 4

(1.30): Triumph Hurdle

(2.10): County Hurdle

(2.50): Albert Bartlett Novice's Chase

(3.30): Gold Cup

(4.10): Festival Hunters' Chase

(4.50): Mares' Chase

(5.30): Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle

TOP TIPS

Michael Verney

Wayne Bailey

Patrick Mullins

Cheltenham Festival Day 4: Race card

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Where can I watch it?

Racing TV will broadcast every race. Virgin Media 1 and ITV 1 will broadcast the first five races each day.

Festival snippets

A few Bob...…

Norton's Coin won the Gold Cup in 1990. He was priced at 100/1. He was owned and trained by Sirrell Griffiths, a Welsh dairy farmer who had only two other horses at his stables. Norton's Coin won just one of his next 18 races before retiring.

Bright Star...…

Kauto Star was the first horse to regain the Gold Cup. With Ruby Walsh on board, he won in 2007. The following year he was beaten by his stablemate, Denman. In 2009, the two horses shared the lead with three fences to go. But Ruby powered on to win by twelve lengths.

Open wide........

Sam Waley-Cohen was an amateur jockey that won the Gold Cup in 2011 on Long Run. He opened a string of dental practices. He became the first amateur jockey to win the Gold Cup since Jim Wilson on Little Owl in 1981. "I couldn't believe it when I passed the likes of Tony McCoy, Ruby Walsh and Barry Geraghty," reflected Waley-Cohen, who, as an amateur jockey, also won the 2022 Grand National on 50/1 chance, Noble Yeats.

Gentleman Jim...…

Jim Culloty rode Best Mate to victory in the 2004 Gold Cup. It was the third successive Gold Cup for Best Mate, equalling the great Arkle's achievement in 1966. 2002 was especially memorable for the genial Kerryman. He won the big double - the Gold Cup on Best Mate and the Grand National on Bindaree.

Fab five...…

In 1983, trainer Michael Dickinson had the first five home in the Gold Cup. Bregawn was followed by Captain John, Wayward Lad, Silver Buck and Ashley House.

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