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Friday's Cheltenham headlines

Inothewayurthinkin denies Galopin in Gold Cup

100/1 Triumph winner

Dinoblue lands Mares' Chase

Mullins wins four in a row

17:38 And that's it for the 2025 Cheltenham Festival. The most dramatic one I can remember for a long time.

Constitution Hill crashing out, then State Man.

Marine Nationale and Jazzy Matty winning for Micheal O'Sullivan on Wednesday.

Fact To File was sublime on Thursday. As was Rachael Blackmore.

And Galopin went out on his sword today. Inothewayurthinkin beating him fair and square.

20 - 8 to Ireland in the Prestbury Cup. 10 for Willie Mullins.

It's been a pleasure. Thanks for reading.

It's taken him 28 races, but Gordon Elliott is on the board! Wodhooh wins the Martin Pipe.

I remember on a trip to Gordon Elliott's yard a few years ago him saying, Gold Cup aside, this is the one race he always loves to win at the Cheltenham Festival, with it being named after his old mentor.

"He's my hero," he tells Tom Stanley on Racing TV, as he tries to hold back the tears. Well done, Gordon.

MARTIN PIPE HANDICAP HURDLE RESULT

1. WODHOOH (9/2)

2. Act Of Authority (28/1)

3. Raglan Road (25/1)

4. Taponthego (8/1)

17:13 Some interesting comments from Willie Mullins on Kopeck De Mee in his Sporting Life column: "A horse who shows a lot at home," he says. "I’m very hopeful he will give Aidan Kelly, who won this race two years ago, a good spin. He won’t lack for experience in the saddle in this conditional riders’ race."

17:01 One more race to go. The Martin Pipe.

Kopeck De Mee has been the big talking horse. He could be chucked in, but it's a big ask on his first run in the UK. Gaelic Warrior tried it. He was chucked in. He got beat. Yes I backed him.

No Ordinary Joe was the one who interested me, and it's good to see our Punting Pointers team are in agreement. He was seventh in this race last year when the Henderson yard was under a cloud and he's 2 lb lower in the handicap today after an eye-catching prep run at Warwick.

ST. JAMES’S PLACE FESTIVAL CHALLENGE CUP OPEN HUNTERS’ CHASE

1. WONDERWALL (28/1)

2. Its On The Line (4/1)

3. Willitgoahead (13/2)

4. Music Drive (33/1)

16:36 The Gold Cup winner is still in the Grand National, remember.

He's 5/2 (from 7/1) to win that. It's a massive ask to back up from such a big effort in such a short space of time, though.

Not to be for Galopin. No excuses, either. Inothewayurthinkin is an emphatic winner of the Gold Cup for Gavin Cromwell.

GOLD CUP RESULT

1. INOTHEWAYURTHINKIN (15/2)

2. Galopin Des Champs (8/13)

3. Gentlemansgame (40/1)

4. Monty's Star (8/1)

16:00 I'm nervous, so god knows how Willie and the team are feeling. Come on champ.

15:43 Here we go. Galopin Des Champs' date with destiny. Can he win a third Gold Cup?

Only four horses have done it before. Golden Miller (1932, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1936), Cottage Rake (1948, 1949, 1950), Arkle (1964, 1965, 1966), and Best Mate (2002, 2003, 2004).

That's why Townend picked him. Last year's Champion Bumper winner follows up in the Albert Bartlett!

10 winners this week for Willie.

ALBERT BARTLETT NOVICES' HURDLE RESULT

1. JASMIN DE VAUX (6/1)

2. The Big Westerner (9/2)

3. Derryhassen Paddy (10/1)

4. Yellow Car (33/1)

15:14 Willie Mullins needs one more winner to match his Festival record of 10.

In his exclusive Sporting Life column, he said he was surprised that Paul Townend decided to ride Jasmin De Vaux here. Willie expected him to ride Argento Boy.

"I thought Paul might go for him," he said on Argento Boy. "He was impressive in winning in Punchestown and it’s a nice ride for Rachael Blackmore. We’re delighted to get her services. She has a leading chance on this one."

15:04 It's easy to see why Wendigo is fancied. He looks a stayer who will appreciate this step up in trip, and his second to The New Lion in the Challow got an almighty boost earlier in the week.

14:57 Albert Bartlett up next. This looks wide open.

Nine of the last 10 winners of this have gone off bigger than 10/1 - Monkfish (5/1) the only one who didn't - so usually a race to find one at a price.

I was on The Jukebox Man in this last year. Still not over it.

Willie Mullins. Again. Dinoblue much the best. Allegorie De Vassy looked booked for second before crashing out at the last.

A ninth winner of the week for Mullins.

MARES CHASE RESULT

1. DINOBLUE (6/4)

2. Brides Hill (9/2)

3. Shecouldbeanything (12/1)

4. Mayhem Mya (50/1)

14:29 The team at Trackside have reported back from the pre-parade ring. Dinoblue "looks in a different league," they say.

14:13 British-trained winners this week - 8. Willie Mullins-trained winners this week - 8.

Willie Mullins. Again. Kargese settles better this time and she's done it well. The class act in the race. Obvious, wasn't it?

COUNTY HURDLE RESULT

1. KARGESE (3/1)

2. Ndaawi (25/1)

3. Absurde (5/1)

4. Ethical Diamond (16/1)

13:55 I like Hansard for Gary & Josh Moore. A real strong traveller in his races, he's been threatening to come good in one of these big two-mile handicap hurdles for a while now, and his third in the Kingwell Hurdle behind Golden Ace and Burdett Road doesn't look too bad now.

13:51 Matt Brocklebank and Ben Linfoot have both tipped Valgrand at 8/1.

13:50 Right. Move on.

County Hurdle up next, and Willie runs four. We caught up with Patrick Mullins and Ethical Diamond, who he rides in this race, this morning. He thinks he has a "great chance". More from Patrick below.

Is there anything Willie Mullins can't do? If you asked me that before today, I would have said, 'I bet he can't win the Triumph with a hurdling debutant.' Turns out he can do that as well.

Poniros, formerly with Ralph Beckett on the Flat, wins on his first start for the yard, and on his first run over hurdles.

At 100/1.

I backed that horse four times last season. Obviously didn't today.

TRIUMPH HURDLE RESULT

1. PONIROS (100/1)

2. Lulamba (11/4)

3. East India Dock (5/4)

4. Lady Vega Allen (14/1)

13:17 How many false starts will we have today? I have it around 4/6 that we have three or more, unfortunately.

13:07 We have the team at Trackside working for us again today, reporting from the paddock. They like Lulamba.

They also report East India Dock "looks as good as he has all year."

Trackside is a paddock analysis service, offering a new perspective for a unique betting angle. The expert team give the insight from the pre-parade and the parade ring before traditional coverage begins - information vital for making winning bets.

You can find out more here www.tracksidemediaservices.com

12:20 What are the bets today? Here's who the Sporting Life top team of tipsters are backing.

Matt Brocklebank

Valgrand in the 2.00

Argento Boy in the 3.20

Karafon in the 5.20

Ben Linfoot

Gibbs Island in the 1.20

Valgrand in the 2.00

Flicker Of Hope in the 3.20

Monty’s Star in the the 4.00

Punting Pointers

Derryhassen Paddy in the 3.20

No Ordinary Joe in the 5.20

11:58 The person dressed as a giant Gold Cup is currently dancing to Michael Jackson, giving it everything they've got. Good effort.

There's a huge queue to have a go on the VR horse race. If you missed it yesterday, here's Dave Massey of Punting Pointers fame showing us how not to do it. If you did see it yesterday, it's worth a second watch. Trust me.

11:21 Where is the money going? Here's a look at some of the Friday market movers.

13:20 Blue Lemons - 14/1 (from 33/1)

14:00 Lark In The Mornin - 4/1 (from 5/1)

15:20 Derryhassen Paddy - 8/1 (from 11/1)

16:00 Inothewayurthinkin - 13/2 (from 7/1)

16:40 Shearer - 8/1 (from 12/1)

17:20 East India Express - 7/1 (from 12/1)

11:14 It's not often Matt Brocklebank and Ben Linfoot agree, but when they do, it usually pays to take note.

They both like Valgrand in the County Hurdle for the Skeltons. They've both tipped him at 8/1.

11:07 There's been someone dressed as a giant Gold Cup here all week, dancing to the brass band and posing for photos with racegoers.

This is their big day though. Their cup final. Their Gold Cup, you might say.

10:55 The team at Timeform have been strong on East India Dock for the Triumph for a while now. When he won here in November last year, his report read: "...already looking a leading candidate for the Triumph Hurdle".

And after he won the trial for this race here in January, they said: "He cemented his position - above even Lulamba on the formbook - as the one to beat in the Triumph Hurdle with a dominant performance, running to a high level for a juvenile, to the extent he's already of a standard good enough to win a slightly above-average Triumph"

He's top rated by 6 lb on their weight-adjusted figures:

165p East India Dock

159p Hello Neighbour

157P Lulamba

157 Lady Vega Allen

153p Gibbs Island

10:30 We also spoke to Patrick Mullins. Again. He must be sick of us by now. He's looking forward to his ride on Ethical Diamond in the County Hurdle.

"I think he has a great chance. The English handicapper hasn't missed him, but this good ground will suit him and I'm hoping he can do something similar to Absurde in this race last year."

10:14 We caught up with Galopin Des Champs on the gallops this morning. And Adam, who has looked after him since he joined the yard. He says he's feeling the nerves a bit. Understandable. But reports the champ to be "flying".

Watch below.

09:45 How would you describe Galopin Des Champs in just two words? We asked Willie Mullins, Ruby Walsh, and a few others, to do just that. Watch below.

08:54 Willie Mullins sounds confident, and why wouldn't he be.

"He comes here in good form. I’m very happy with him and have been all week. We know he likes the trip, track and ground. He comes here with a leading chance as he bids to win a third successive Gold Cup."

You can read Willie's horse-by-horse guide to his Friday runners here.

8:47 Galopin Des Champs is 4/7 to win his third.

Inothewayurthinkin, who was supplemented at a cost of £25,000, is around the 6/1 mark, and his trainer, Gavin Cromwell, thinks he can serve up up to the champ.

Speaking in his William Hill blog, he said: "With a clear round of jumping, we really think he can make a race of it. I don’t even necessarily think that we need things to go wrong for Galopin Des Champs for us to beat him. He’s come forward plenty since the last day and I’m hoping he can put it up to the favourite."

08:33 Morning! It's time for the big one. Gold Cup day. Galopin Des Champs' date with destiny.

It's a lovely morning here, a bit warmer today than it has been earlier in the week. No sign of any rain. Good to Soft ground.

17:40 Three days done. One to go. The big one. Gold Cup day. Galopin Des Champs' date with destiny.

Willie Mullins is confident. You can read his column here.

Ben Linfoot is taking him on with a 14/1 shot. Is he mad? You can read his Friday tips here.

That's it from me. Back for more tomorrow. See you then.

Daily Present wins the finale! Johnnywho looked to have the race in the bag but a mistake at the last opened the door, and a gritty and determined Daily Present was happy to take advantage.

KIM MUIR RESULT

1. DAILY PRESENT (12/1)

2. Johnnywho (9/2)

3. Sa Majeste (8/1)

4. Weveallbeencaught (28/1)

17:21 And we end the day with another false start.

17:04 Matt Brocklebank is with Git Maker at 14/1, back for more after finishing second to Inothewayurthinkin in this race last year.

17:00 That's the ITV action done for today, but we still have one to go. The Kim Muir. 23 runners. 3m 2f. Amateur riders only.

Dave Massey, who if you scroll down you will see a perfect example from him on how not to ride a racehorse, has tipped Mint Boy, trained by Gavin Crownwell, whose horses continue to run extremely well.

I'm with Cromwell's other runner, Yeah Man.

'The Timeform' does it again! Jagwar - winner of the Timeform Novices' Handicap Chase here in January - is the latest winner of that famous race to follow up at the Festival!

PLATE HANDICAP CHASE RESULT

1. JAGWAR (3/1)

2. Thecompanysergeant (4/1)

3. Masaccio (11/1)

4. Mars Harper (100/1)

16:27 Two Champion Chases. Two Ryanair Chases. A Champion Chase, Gold Cup, Grand National. And now a Stayers' Hurdle. A full house for Rachael Blackmore. Not even Sir Anthony McCoy can say he's done that.

Blackmore and de Bromhead are at it again! Bob Olinger is smuggled into it by Rachael Blackmore to win the Stayers'. Knows how to ride, that girl.

STAYERS' HURDLE RESULT

1. BOB OLINGER (8/1)

2. Teahupoo (7/4)

3. The Wallpark (7/1)

4. Rocky's Diamond (28/1)

15:51 Some interesting insight from the Trackside team. They say Crambo has behaved excellently, in contrast to last year when he got worked up and boiled over. He was edgy and sweating before he disappointed in the Cleeve Hurdle, too.

He is a dual Grade 1 winner and is 33/1. He could run a big race now he's taking the prelims better.

15:43 My gut is telling me to take on Teahupoo in the Stayers'. The Elliott horses haven't been running well, and he'd want softer ground to be seen at his best, wouldn't he?

What beats him then? I can't have Mystical Power. He was keen over two-miles, so surely we won't see out this trip. Who am I to question Willie Mullins, though.

Lucky Place is the one I keep coming back to. I think he'll stay, and even improve for this first go over three-miles. The form of his win here in January could hardly of worked out any better, either, with the second, Gowel Road winning the Cleeve, and a certain Golden Ace was back in third. I wonder what happened to her?

That was superb. What a performance from Fact To File. You could call him as the winner a long way out. Jumped. Travelled. Bolted up.

RYANAIR CHASE RESULT

1. FACT TO FILE (6/4)

2. Heart Wood (18/1)

3. Envoi Allen (12/1)

4. Protektorat (5/1)

15:13 The team at Trackside are on hand again today, and they report Envoi Allen and Protektorat to be the picks of the paddock. There's a positive mention for Master Chewy too at a massive price.

Trackside is a paddock analysis service, offering a new perspective for a unique betting angle. The expert team give the insight from the pre-parade and the parade ring before traditional coverage begins - information vital for making winning bets.

You can find out more here www.tracksidemediaservices.com

15:02 Looking forward to this one. Any race with including Il Est Francais is usually box office, and this should be no different.

The French raider is a spectacular jumper and should be some sight over these fences, but will he get up the hill?

Connections of Fact To File will be pleased to see him in here. We know he stays further than this, so a strong gallop should play to his strengths.

And we've got last year's winner Protektorat back for more. Don't forget Envoi Allen, either. He loves it here and is another who will appreciate a good pace. Expect him to be delivered late by Rachael Blackmore.

Proper race.

It's not all gone to plan this week for Nicky Henderson, but he's just had a 1-2 in the Pertempts, with Doddiethegreat leading home Jeriko Du Reponet.

PERTEMPTS HANDICAP HURDLE RESULT

1. DODDIETHEGREAT (25/1)

2. Jeriko Du Reponet (11/2)

3. Catch Him Derry (14/1)

4. Feet Of A Dancer (15/2)

14:32 Winning trainer Paul Nicholls said: "I'm delighted for the Hales family, for John. He'll be up there watching. The reason John bought this horse is because he lost Hermes Allen and he wanted something to replace Hermes, and John put his money where his mouth is and bought him.

"It's irrelevant what they cost. When they come into the yard they are all worth the same, they're drinking the same, and some of them take a bit of time to get to know and get the best out of. But we got him right and he's a proper horse - he just needed a bit of patience.

"I was convinced he's a stayer. He'll gallop all day, he jumps well, and I think we're just scratching the surface with him."

What a result that is. No man enjoys silencing the doubters more than Paul Nicholls, and boy has he done it there. This horse hadn't quite lived up to some lofty expectations after being sold for €740,000, but Nicholls has been patient with him, and had him spot on for the day that mattered.

A superb display of jumping from the front under Harry Cobden, and in the John Hales too. Brilliant.

NOVICES' HANDICAP CHASE RESULT

1. CALDWELL POTTER (7/1)

2. Anyway (125/1)

3. O'Moore Park (66/1)

4. Nurburgring (9/1)

14:00 Another false start. Great.

13:50 Good to see this race back. The Jack Richards Novices' Limited Handicap Chase.

Can see Es Perfecto running well at a price here, and good to see Ben Linfoot is thinking the same. You can read his column and tips here.

Some ride from Rachael Blackmore. She knows her way around here and she has timed that to perfection to deny Sixandahalf.

A first winner of the week for Henry de Bromhead.

MARES NOVICES' HURDLE RESULT

1. AIR OF ENTITLEMENT (16/1)

2. Sixandahalf (85/40)

3. Diva Luna (12/1)

4. Karoline Banbou (10/1)

13:21 Another false start. Great.

13:20 If you are following the Punting Pointers team this week, just a reminder - this is the man you're listening to.

13:05 But what are the people who know what they're talking about backing?

Value Bet guru Matt Brocklebank found a 16/1 winner yesterday and he's got four bets today. Some big prices in there, too. Read his column here.

The Punting Pointers team bagged some more each-way returns yesterday and they fancy, well, loads to be honest. Read their column here.

12:54 Right. What are we backing today? I like a few at big prices.

Kimi De Mai could run well in the opener after a nice run behind the favourite, Sixandahalf, last time on her debut for Willie Mullins. You'd expect her to come on for that and Willie thinks she can get closer to Sixandahalf today. You can read his column here.

She's a huge price.

I'm going to give Demnat another chance in the Plate. He's a horse I've followed for a while, and still think he has a good race or two in him, and I loved the way he jumped at Warwick last time. He shaped well in the Kim Muir at this meeting last year, but just didn't get home there, and this trip is what he wants. Again, he's a big old price.

And in the lucky last, I'm with Yeah Man for that man Gavin Cromwell. A dour stayer, he was going well before unseating his rider in the Grand National Trial at Haydock last time and I can see him really thriving in this big field handicap where stamina should come to the fore.

12:31 It's time for the press room food review. The one you've all been waiting for.

Carrot and coriander soup to start. 7/10. No suitable spoons, so having to drink it. Tasty though.

Irish stew (obviously) and mash for the main. 8/10. Good, hearty meal. Would rank higher if there was a bit more beef on the plate.

12:02 It's coming down properly now. People running for cover and umbrellas being handed out.

Time for a brew.

12:00 A light drizzle of rain/hail could be heard hitting the roof of the media centre briefly, but it seems to have passed.

11:50 The Timeform Novices' Handicap Chase, run here on Trials Day in January, has a rich history of throwing up future Festival winners, as this excellent graphic below shows.

Jagwar won it this year and the Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero team have opted for the Plate with him where he takes on the older, more seasoned handicappers, rather than the Novices' Handicap a couple of hours earlier. He's favourite, and it's easy to see why - a highly progressive novice who has taken really well to fences and hasn't reached his ceiling yet.

Masaccio was third behind Jagwar in 'The Timeform' and reposes. He's got a 6 lb swing at the weights today and it's not hard to see him getting closer to the winner in the first-time cheekpieces and with the Alan King yard going well again.

11:33 The Stayers' Hurdle. Teahupoo. It's been a tough couple of days for Gordon Elliott. He could really do with this one.

Last year's winner could do with the ground being softer but he's 5 lb clear on the Timeform ratings and is the one to beat again.

His stablemate, The Wallpark, could be the main danger. He hasn't looked back since winning a handicap off a mark of 129 at Kilbeggan in July and ran well on his first go in Grade 1 company in the Long Walk Hurdle last time. The race wasn't run to suit him there and a more servere test of stamina, which he should get here, will see him in a better light.

There's been money for Lucky Place. Things haven't exactly gone to plan this week for Nicky Henderson either, but he gave this horse a positive mention when I was at his yard last month. He beat Gowel Road, giving him 6 lb, last time, who won the Cleeve on his next start. They intentionally missed that race with Lucky Place to keep him fresh for this. He needs to prove he stays this far, but I think he will.

11:07 A few non-runners to report.

10:49 The Ryanair Chase should be a spectacular watch, whatever happens, with French beast Il Est Francais winging away out in front. Will he get up the hill though? I'm not sure, and think he'll set up the race perfectly for Fact To File.

Patrick Mullins is thinking along the same lines. You can hear from Patrick on Fact To File, Mystical Power and Sa Majeste below.

10:36 Just the seven runners for the Mullins team in the opener. Patrick rides Maughreen, who lacks experience, but "the engine is there".

The main man, Willie Mullins, thinks Kimi De Mai could run well at a huge price: "I like this mare. She was third to today’s favourite Sixandahalf having run very free and I think the pace of this race will suit her much better. I expect a fair bit of improvement and I’m not ruling her out if she settles. It could help her close the gap with Gavin Cromwell’s mare", he says.

You can read his column in full here.

9:55 We've been speaking to Patrick Mullins again this morning. Sure he's sick of us by now, but he doesn't show it. Great bloke. More on that conversation to come.

09:11 No Cheltenham Festival for Langer Dan this year. He's a non-runner in the Stayers' Hurdle.

"He had a slightly dirty nose this morning", says Dan Skelton. You can watch Dan's excellent and in-depth update below.

09:00 Good morning! Day three, here we go. It's a glorious day. The sun is shining. Yesterday's blizzard a distant memory.

We move onto the New Course today, where the ground is Good to Soft (updated at 6:25am).

What is the difference between the New Course and the Old Course? Well, the New Course has a tricky downhill fence and a longer run-in for the chases compared the Old Course. Hurdle races over two miles on the New Course also have a slight peculiarity in that most of the hurdles are jumped early on in the race, with only two hurdles being jumped in the last seven furlongs.

Thanks to Timeform for that summary.

17:31 And that's that. Willie Mullins wins another Champion Bumper. This time with Bambino Fever. Day two done and dusted. Half time in the 2025 Cheltenham Festival.

Matt Brocklebank banged in a 16/1 winner today and he's got four bets tomorrow. Including TWO at 40/1. Read his tipping column here.

We also have Willie Mullins with a horse-by-horse guide to his Thursday runners, including Fact To File in the Ryanair. You can read that here.

Happy studying, and we'll be back for more tomorrow.

CHAMPION BUMPER RESULT

1. BAMBINO FEVER (4/1)

2. Heads Up (33/1)

3. Shuttle Diplomacy (66/1)

4. Caballero Cliff (150/1)

17:12 The team at Trackside report Bambino Fever, Idaho Sun and El Cairos to be the picks of the paddock.

17:04 Matt Brocklebank makes a good case for Aqua Force here. You can back him at around 10/1.

16:56 One more race to go. The Bumper. Patrick Mullins gets first pick of the Mullins lot in this race, and he's gone for Copacabana. I saw him on the gallops this morning and he is a unit. The horse, not Patrick. He's not in bad shape himself, mind.

When asked what made him pick Copacabana, he said: "It was between him and Gameofinches and I just thought Copacabana has been in the yard all season and has had longer to recover from his race.

"Whereas Gameofinches won his point-to-point in mid-November, came to us afterwards and has had 20 days between his races. It’s just not ideal. Maybe it won’t make any difference, but you have to make your decision based on something and I’ll be either right or wrong."

GRAND ANNUAL RESULT

1. JAZZY MATTY (15/2)

2. Unexpected Party (11/2)

3. Midnight It Is (25/1)

4. My Mate Mozzie (13/2)

16:25 Winning rider Sean Flanagan was quick to think of O'Sullivan and said: "It's hugely emotional for a lot of reasons. First and foremost his family obviously have to find it very hard. All the jockeys in the Ireland, UK and in the world have been under a cloud for the last couple of weeks.

"I'm only the man who steered him around today, Michael is the man who made him what he is and he'll never be forgotten for that."

An extremely emotional result as Marine Nationale, won the Supreme Novices' Hurdle under the late Michael O'Sullivan, lands the Champion Chase. That one was for you, Michael.

Maybe Jonbon really just doesn't like it here. A shuddering error put an end to his chance. I had to look twice when I saw he'd somehow still finished second.

CHAMPION CHASE RESULT

1. MARINE NATIONALE (5/1)

2. Jonbon (5/6)

3. Captain Guinness (25/1)

4. Solness (12/1)

15:56 There's been plenty of support for Energumene. Reports of a £50k bet taken on his this morning.

That snow this morning won't have done his chances any harm, but he is 11 now and has over six lengths to make up with Jonbon from Ascot.

15:46 It's time for the main event. Can Jonbon finally get a Cheltenham Festival win on that CV? It's the only thing that's missing.

His only defeats have come at Cheltenham. He's 9 lb clear on the Timeform ratings though. He should win. I hope he does.

Class does come to the fore. Not the one I backed though. 11-10 isn't enough to stop Stumptown in the Cross Country.

Ireland lead in the Prestbury Cup for the first time since the Supreme.

CROSS COUNTRY RESULT

1. STUMPTOWN (5/2)

2. Latenightpass (11/1)

3. Vanillier (15/2)

4. The Goffer (6/1)

15:00 Some added intrigue with the Cross Country being a handicap now, but I think class will come to the fore again. Stumptown and Galvin have to give away plenty of weight but they are the class acts and are proven around this unique track.

Narrow preference is for Galvin, who has been kept fresh for this, and a repeat of his excellent second to Delta Work in this race in 2023 would probably be good enough.

A quick-fire double for Willie Mullins. We've not seen him since finishing fifth behind Ballyburn at Punchestown last year but Jimmy Du Seuil overcomes a 313 day absence to win the Coral Cup. Good old Ballyadam never runs a bad race here, and hits the frame again.

I make that 5-5 in the Prestbury Cup now. It was fun while it lasted.

CORAL CUP RESULT

1. JIMMY DU SEUIL (16/1)

2. Impose Toi (13/2)

3. Ballyadam (16/1)

4. Beat The Bat (11/2)

14:25 A 26-runner handicap hurdle to work out next. I'll be cheering on the Skeltons again with Be Aware.

Fresh from tipping a 16/1 winner in the last race, Matt Brocklebank likes Beat The Bat here. He was 14/1 when he tipped him yesterday and is into 6/1 now.

A timely reminder to read his excellent Value Bet column every day at 4pm the day before racing.

Well well well. Who saw that coming? Matt Brocklebank did. Put up at 16/1 in his Value Bet column. Outstanding tipping.

Ballyburn seemed to lose his confidence after a couple of early mistakes. Dancing City clouted one just as the race was starting to get going. Leaving 20/1 shot Lecky Watson to win the Brown Advisory, from 22/1 Stellar Story.

BROWN ADVISORY NOVICES' CHASE RESULT

1. LECKY WATSON (20/1)

2. Stellar Story (22/1)

3. Better Days Ahead (13/2)

4. Gorgeous Tom (11/1)

13:54 Make that 5-3 in the Prestbury Cup. It really could be coming home.

The winner is 8/1 for next year's Champion Hurdle, if that floats your boat.

You can always rely on Dan Skelton for a good quote, and he didn't disappoint: "I'm not new to this game, but I'm new to horses like this. He can do things the other horses can’t."

What a start to day two. Three proper horses there battling it out up the hill, with The New Lion coming out on top. Harry Skelton looked confident throughout and delivered him to perfection.

TURNERS NOVICES' HURDLE RESULT

1. THE NEW LION (3/1)

2. The Yellow Clay (5/2)

3. Final Demand (6/4)

4. Forty Coats (150/1)

13:07 We have the Trackside team on hand again today and pleased to report they are in agreement on The New Lion, who is a "standout" in the pre-parade ring, they say.

Trackside is a paddock analysis service, offering a new perspective for a unique betting angle. The expert team give the insight from the pre-parade and the parade ring before traditional coverage begins - information vital for making winning bets.

You can find out more here www.tracksidemediaservices.com

12:49 Onto the first. Proper race this. A future Gold Cup horse in Final Demand taking on a potential Champion Hurdle contender in The New Lion. Britain vs Ireland. Skelton and Skelton vs Mullins and Townend. It's 4-3 to the home team in the Prestbury Cup by the way.

The Yellow Clay and Potters Charm as well. They're not out of this.

The Mullins team have been bullish about Final Demand for weeks now and their confidence in him hasn't wavered.

I'm leaning towards The New Lion though. Maybe it's a price thing now that he's out to 3/1, but I think he could just have too many gears for Final Demand over this trip.

12:41 Dinner is served in the media centre. Chicken marinated in a dark chocolate and chipotle sauce, served with rice and peas. Chicken and leek soup as a side dish. Enjoyed that. A strong 8/10.

12:18 Just been for a walk around the course. Glorious sunshine now. No sign that snow storm I got caught in this morning ever happened.

The racegoers are pouring in. That big Gold Cup is back and the punters are loving it, queuing for selfies.

Oh, and Her Majesty the Queen is here. She was getting escorted through the crowd as Sweet Caroline blasted out from the Guinness village. Glorious.

11:27 The snow has thankfully stopped and we have a going update from Clerk of the Course, Jon Pullin.

"The going for today remains Good to Soft on the Old Course and is Good to Soft, Good in places and Soft on the top loop on the Cross Country Course."

11:13 What are we backing today then?

Be Aware is my big hope in the Coral Cup. My only antepost wager of the week. 16/1 for those wondering. Shrewd, I know.

Loved his run in the Greatwood behind Burdett Road where he came from further back than the winner and I'm expecting this step up in trip to bring out more improvement.

He'll need plenty of luck though. He'll be dropped in and ridden cold by Harry Skelton but if the gaps appear at the right time, he's got the ability and is still on the right side of the handicapper. Fingers firmly crossed for this one.

Matt Brocklebank is with Aqua Force in the Bumper at 12/1. You can read the case he has made for that one here.

10:54 Ballyburn is very much the Mullins number one in the Brown Advisory.

Dancing City is a dour stayer. In fact, Patrick thinks he is "made for this race". But Ballyburn is the classier of the two and they're expecting him to come out on top.

Again, more from Patrick below.

10:17 So, what did Patrick have to say? Well, we started at the beginning. The first race of the day. Final Demand taking on The New Lion and The Yellow Clay in the Turners Novices' Hurdle. Cracking race, this.

The Mullins team love this horse. He's an absolute beast when you see him in the flesh and they're hoping he is a Gold Cup horse for the future. They'll be gutted if he gets beat today.

You can hear from Patrick on Final Demand below.

10:11 They've upped the bacon sarnie game today. Definitely an extra portion or two in there. Maybe they felt sorry for me as the snow dripped down my glasses. 8/10.

09:32 We're back. Day two. I'm absolutely freezing.

It's been snowing all morning here at Cheltenham. Yes, snowing.

I'm one of the brave few who went over to the gallops in the middle of the track this morning where I spoke to Patrick Mullins again. He covered State Man, Final Demand, Ballyburn, Energumene, and his ride in the Bumper. More on that to come.

I'm off to get a cuppa to defrost.

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