Live Cheltenham blog: Tips, offers, Festival results and replays including Gold Cup

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• 1.30 result | Free video replay
  Winner: VAUBAN (6/4f)
• 2.10 result | Free video replay
  Winner: STATE MAN (11/4f)
• 2.50 result | Free video replay
  Winner: THE NICE GUY (18/1)
• 3.30 result | Free video replay
  Winne: A PLUS TARD (3/1f)
• 4.10 result | Free video replay
  Winner: BILLAWAY (13/8f)
• 4.50 result | Free video replay
  Winner: ELIMAY (9/4)
• 5.30 result | Free video replay
  Winner: BANBRIDGE

A clean sweep for Ireland on day seven a timely reminder of where the power lies. It's been a fantastic week and one of the best results of the lot is that horses and riders appear to have got their feet.

Banbridge wins the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle!

1. BANBRIDGE 12/1

2. Cobblers Dream 12/1

3. Hollow Games 9/2

4. Freedom To Dream 20/1

5. Party Business 28/1

1725: Long wait is over

Mullins on Billaway making it third time lucky in the Hunters' Chase: "We’ve been waiting for this for three years, so it’s brilliant. Patrick never gave up. He had the confidence to keep going, keep going. But much as I enjoy winning I feel sorry for David (Christie, trainer of runner-up Winged Leader), as it would have been huge for him. I know what it’s like losing in the last stride and that’s really his Gold Cup, because he’s a hunter chase man.

"I’m delighted for (owner) John Turner as we nominated this race three years ago and we’ve had two seconds. It looked as if he was going to be second again until Patrick pulled it out of the fire. Billaway idles and idles and idles - he’s just that type of horse - and that’s why we put the cheekpieces on."

1712: The lucky last

The question on everyone's lips is surely, 'what does Willie have in the last?'

In short, that would be Five O'Clock under Jack Foley and Adamantly Chosen under Richard Deegan.

Sky Bet are paying SIX places instead of four and at 4pm yesterday my own fancies were a fair bit bigger than they are now. Hes A Hardy Bloke is 20/1 now and Freedom To Dream 18/1 so I couldn't put anyone off the pair of them each-way, but I do wonder if the latter might have preferred softer ground in an ideal world.

1700: Not the biggest

Mark Walsh is one of the unassuming members of the Weighing Room and while it hasn't been a brilliant week for his boss JP McManus, you can tell Elimay's win means plenty to the rider.

He said on Racing TV: "She's so small but she's so brave. I had to give her a squeeze but she stuck her head down and tried. She loves racing and warmed up into it. She finished second and ran so well last year but we got our win there."

1655: Willie's world

Elimay atones for last year's defeat in the Mares' Chase and it's 10 for Mullins - all bar the Gold Cup today! The Friday five-fold has paid over 1,500/1.

Much like Concertista, who was second in the Mares' Novices' Hurdle the year before she prevailed, the grey Elimay toughed it out bravely to edge home between outsiders Pink Legend and Scarlet And Dove.

That's now Mullins 10-10 Great Britain... Wow.

ELIMAY wins the Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase!

1. ELIMAY 9/4

2. Pink Legend 33/1

3. Scarlet And Dove 28/1

1640: Pointing the way

With the next race in mind, may I guide you in the direction of the Punting Pointers view:

"VIENNA COURT had Coole Cody and Funambule Sivola well behind when winning on soft ground here on New Year’s Day, and while she needs to improve again, appeals as one who is overpriced in the Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase, and she can make the frame for Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies."

Click here to place your bets - Sky Bet are paying six places instead of four

It'd be Elimay for me if pushed, but I'll hang fire for Freedom To Dream in the last to try and end on a high.

1638: Out of the Park

A Plus Tard's Gold Cup win adds to a ridiculously successful Cheltenham Festival for owners Cheveley Park Stud. Their overall Festival tally coming into today was 9 wins from 18 runners and that now reads 10-21 after Ballyadam and Classic Getaway.

Richard Thompson, representing the Stud, said: "It’s absolutely fantastic, winning the Gold Cup. Incredible. My father would be loving this. He was behind the project and this horse was one of the last he saw win before he died. He watched the Gold Cup obviously for many years, and to win it is incredible. I can’t even speak. It’s a fantastic day for the family. That was all class. We know he’s got so much quality and Rachael rode the perfect race. It’s the Gold Cup, anything can happen, but it looked so smooth.

“I did feel she [Rachael] was quite far back but I knew she had a game plan and I trusted the game plan. She’s totally delivered. Unbelievable. What a day’s racing, with Rachael winning the Gold Cup. We won the Grand National 30 years ago but this is certainly right up there. Rachael riding, Henry training - what a fantastic combination."

1635: Another jackpot

Today's £500,000 ITV7 jackpot has also been won, which is nice. It sounds like a dozen players managed to predict all seven races correctly which means if one player claims the whole jackpot courtesy of the tie-breaker, they will be the biggest ITV7 jackpot winner ever. Very nice.

1632: Going once, going twice...

There's still time to take full advantage of our Premium Price Boost in the Mares' Chase up next at 4.50 - Elimay is now 11/4 with Sky Bet, enhanced from 9/4.

Click here or on the image below.

1625: Cloud nine for Mullins

Remarkable! Ridiculous! Possibly the finish of the week as Billaway snatches victory from the jaws of defeat. Or has Winged Leader snatched defeat from the jaws of victory?

Agony for the runner-up, who had a long old lead on the approach to the final fence, but after fighting off the persistent Mighty Stowaway on the turn for home, he unfortunately had very little to give on the run-in.

Billaway - second in this race for the past two years - kept finding and finding after initially being outpaced, and in the end he got up in the final two strides to win by a neck.

It's a record nine winners for the week for team Mullins.

Betfair report Winged leader touched a low of 1.16 (£16,907) and Billaway a high of 21.0 (just £3 traded and £85 at 20.0).

BILLAWAY wins the Hunters' Chase

1. BILLAWAY 13/8f

2. Winged Leader 9/2

3. Mighty Stowaway 33/1

4. Dubai Quest 13/2

1602: Back-to-back triumphs

Not an amazing week for Henry De Bromhead and his team overall but, like so often is the case, the stars have shone and the trainer has now won the Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup in successive seasons.

He said: "The class of him there – he was so impressive and Indo ran an absolute blinder as well, he really did. He was brilliant as well. It’s incredible stuff.

“Rachael was brilliant on him. Rachael was so brave, the way she went about it, it was brilliant.

"She was really brave. I’ve kind of got to that stage that if it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen. They both got a lovely passage. Robbie (Power) was brilliant on Indo and Rachael amazing on A Plus Tard.

“It definitely does (feel different this year), just the crowds looking here at the stand – it’s just incredible. This is what it’s all about.

“It was amazing to win it last year, but it’s triple amazing this year with all the people here.”

1550: Golden moment

Lydia Hislop and Rachael Blackmore are both fighting back the tears in the winners' enclosure.

The winning jockey said: "I'm so overwhelmed, I feel so lucky to be riding these horses. I don't know how or why I'm so lucky to be in the position I'm in.

"Not often a jockey gets to be in this position. This year I was lucky to be on the right one and it's just overwhelming.

"It worked out, I tried not to make the same mistake again (as last year).

"My mum is at home but my dad and my sister are here. This is a magical place and I just feel incredibly lucky. I don't know what else to say."

1545: The real A Plus Tard

There was a sense A Plus Tard might not have been at his very best when nailed late on by Galvin in the Savills Chase and today's hammers the point home. This was destructive - 15 lengths in a Gold Cup.

Galvin was made to look like a Grand National horse on this occasion and while Protektorat ran a fine race for Dan Skelton, he never looked like winning it.

1540: Jockey of highest order and horse to match

Rachael Blackmore is the first female jockey to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup but I think Henry De Bromhead echoes everyone's thoughts post-race on Racing TV: "She's a brilliant rider."

A Plus Tard didn't have a brilliant passage down the hill and Blackmore was caught on the heels of weakening rivals not once but twice, yet the eight-year-old has proved miles the best - sprinting 15 lengths clear of old foe and stable companion Minella Indo.

A PLAUS TARD wins the Cheltenham Gold Cup!

1. A PLUS TARD (3/1 fav)

2. Minella Indo (7/1)

3. Protektorat (10/1

4. Galvin (100/30)

1528: A Plus performance...

We're fast approaching the start of the Cheltenham Gold Cup and I can only wish you luck.

"No obvious negatives from the paddock," says Jane Mangan on RTV.

It's A Plus Tard for me, with Rachael Blackmore backed to claim her first success in the great race.

1520: Mullins magic

A glance at the oddschecker grid tells you all you need to know regarding the Gold Cup market.

Willie Mullins is going through the Friday card and Al Boum Photo is into 6/1, Tornado Flyer is into 8/1 and even Asterion Forlonge is attracting support at 25s.

The one horse holding firm against the Mullins millions is A Plus Tard who is 11/4 generally as he bids to go one better than 12 months ago.

Chantry House is the one at bigger odds being nibbled and I can barely believe I've heard Ben Linfoot and Rich Mann both suggest they could see him going well here.

1512: Chaser in the making

I'd be amazed if The Nice Guy wasn't straight over fences next season and Sky Bet have floated an initial quote of 8/1 for the 2023 Brown Advisory Novices' Chase.

1510: Not today for Daly ace

Richard Patrick sounds upbeat over the future of beaten favourite Hillcrest, despite his fairly miserable performance from the very start.

Patrick said on Racing TV: "I'm not quite sure what the problem was but his jumping fell apart and he made everything feel very hard which he's never done before. My thoughts are with connections of the Gordon Elliott horse (Ginto).

"Hillcrest normally travels so well and I don't know if it's because of the dead and tacky ground but he's come out of it OK."

1505: Nice and easy

On a much brighter note, The Nice Guy has lived up to expectations (10/1 Value Bet) and he's gone through the race like a very classy individual. It's an eighth Festival victory of the week for Mullins and hats off too to Sean O'Keeffe, who gave the horse a lovely quiet ride.

Stable first string Minella Cocooner jumped big all of the way and made several mistakes so to only find one too strong shows just how big an engine he has.

1500: Not a postscript

Can't help but kick off the analysis of the 2022 Albert Bartlett with a sad note on Ginto, who broke down badly in the run and that will be utterly sickening for everyone connected to the horse. He was one of the most promising novices coming into it and sadly it's ended in disaster.

Our thoughts are with his connections.

The Nice Guy wins the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle!

1. THE NICE GUY (18/1)
2. Minella Cocooner 9/2
3. Bardenstown Lad 20/1
4. Ballygrifincottage 28/1

1440: Ginto tonic?

It's not been the strongest week in terms of Gordon Elliott so far but he's obviously got Galvin and Mount Ida to come, plus a bunch of chances in the Martin Pipe. Above all, though, he's sounded sweetest on Ginto's chances in the upcoming race and the trainer can obviously take heart from how well his runners have performed in defeat so far today.

1435: The story of the race

I've backed the drifting The Nice Guy in the Albert Bartlett but would not begrudge Henry Daly's Hillcrest winning a Grade One in the colours of the late Sir Trevor Hemmings.

He's a short price now, but will not be lacking for size here.

The trainer in the parade ring on Racing TV: "There's nothing I can change now. I know he's a big horse and people love big horses but I've been amazed (by the support shown). He is a novice hurdler, that's all he is...But he's got a great attitude and he's very relaxed."

Big day for jockey Richard Patrick on the 2/1 favourite.

1430: Unfinished business Down Under

Willie Mullins has expanded on Vauban and some interesting future plans: "The Easterbys used to go to Chester and York (with Champion Hurdle winners). Champion Hurdle winners in the previous generation used to go flat racing because they were top class flat horses but those horses are bought now to go to Australia or Dubai, so it is very hard for jump trainers nowadays to get top quality flat horses like him.

“I’ve got a bit of unfinished business in Australia, but I don’t think that will be next season. As the horse has had a flat racing season and a jump racing season.

“It (the Melbourne Cup) is a particular itch as we have finished second, third, fourth, fifth and probably sixth in it over the years. It is just a race I’d love to win. It’s a fantastic race to win. I call it one of the greatest atmospheres and it rivals Cheltenham, I can’t say it is better this week though.

“I’d imagine we would go to Punchestown rather than Aintree with this lad. He could hopefully be as good as Nichols Canyon or Thomas Hobson.”

1425: Not a handicapper

State Man readily defies a BHA mark of 141 in the style of a future Grade One horse. I say 'future' he looked a lot like a Sky Bet Supreme horse there but that's water under the bridge.

"We're absolutely delighted," says Willie Mullins on Racing TV.

Regarding Al Boum Photo, who bids for a third Gold Cup win in first-time cheekpieces later today, he adds: "I think cheekpieces helps him at this stage of his career and I don't think we'll be hanging around."

That's seven winners and counting this week for the trainer.

1420: State Man wins the County Handicap Hurdle!

1. STATE MAN 11/4f
2. First Street 16/1
3. Colonel Mustard 13/2
4. West Cork 13/2
5. Ballyadam 50/1
6. Suprise Package 9/1
7. Cormier 33/1
8. My Mate Mozzie 16/1

1400: Oh Boy

Paddy Power/Betfair just cut Value Bet selection Bua Boy to 40/1 from 50/1 and my heart skipped a beat. He's a longshot, make no mistake, but I do fancy him to run well here.

Meanwhile, back in the real world (top of the market), I Like To Move It is pretty solid at 9/1, as is West Cork who won the Greatwood Hurdle here earlier in the season.

No bonus on offer for Imperial Cup winner Suprise Package but the way he won on ground deemed unsuitable would suggest he might be even better this afternoon. Peter Fahey's horse is 9/1 generally, but I'm half hoping Fahey has a better chance with Freedom To Dream in the Martin Pipe at the end of the card.

And here's the 11/4 jolly...

1355: Fil one to follow

The rest were pretty much blown away and the winner was in a different category but full credit to the likeable Fil Dor, who really toughed it out having been prominent from the off. He saw off the bold-jumping Porticello at the head of affairs well enough, just didn't have the gears as Vauban.

Stayers' Hurdle next year for the Elliott runner, perhaps. I'm refreshing the oddschecker grid but no sign of him in the market yet. Watch this space.

1348: Mullins beginning to motor

Six races to go on the Friday card and with just one winner between Ireland and Britain in the Prestbury Cup at the start of play, it suddenly looks a very tall order for the home team.

Understandably, State Man is now tightening at the top of the betting for the County Hurdle (2.10), Betfair having reported lots of opening-race doubles on the Mullins pair this morning.

Winning jockey Paul Townend said on Racing TV: "He's not the finished article yet, it was a muddling race and that's why we were a bit handier than we thought we'd be, but has an engine. It worked out, we got into a nice position and he's improving every run.

"He'd have to jump a bit slicker for a Champion Hurdle but he's definitely going the right way. It's a way down the road yet. The horses are running well, everyone has put in a huge effort. The ground is drying quickly and if anything it could get a bit tackier."

1345: Champion suddenly became interesting

Win, lose or draw, Honeysuckle was always going to get a new challenger or two this week and after Constitution Hill on Tuesday, Vauban is possibly now the one to lay down a major threat come next March.

Vauban is 8/1 from 12/1 with Sky Bet for next year's Champion, Paddy Power and Betfair offering 7/1 (from 14s).]

Rich Ricci sounds up for the fight anyway...

1340: Ireland bosses the Triumph

It's an Irish whitewash in the Friday opener, the first five horses being trained over the Sea. Vauban jumped quite markedly to his right at the final flight, but he was in a different class after travelling sweetly throughout.

Fil Dor has won the battle for second - well done to Rich for his latest 'special bet' winner - just edging out Gordon Elliott stablemate Pied Piper, with another Mullins pair - Icare Allen and Il Etait Temps - fourth and fifth respectively.

Willie Mullins on Racing TV: "He's just got so much speed for this type of race. He is the type of horse we could bring back to Flat racing some stage in his career but he's had a jump racing season and might want a break now. I'd imagine that (Champion Hurdle) would be the obvious place to go next season."

Vauban wins the JCB Triumph Hurdle!

1. VAUBAN (6/4 favourite)
2. Fil Dor 11/2
3. Pied Piper 7/2

1325: Va Va Vauban

Your Triumph Hurdle fav captured in the glorious Cheltenham sunshine. He is 13/8 and 6/4 in places. Gosh, that looks short to me. My own long-range fancy Porticello hopefully runs a big one for the Moores here.

"Porticello is a chaser in the making, he's more one for the future," says the trainer on RTV. "Teddy Blue is more a Flat-bred horse."

I don't mind the 'second-string' (Teddy Blue) either, in truth, but he'll need to settle a lot better than he has at Lingfield and Kempton.

1320: Felix to pounce at wild price?

Having tipped (and backed) Petit Mouchoir at long odds under a big weight for Gordon Elliott (Denise Foster) in last year's County Hurdle, I did take a long, lingering look at Felix Desjy today.

He was a Grade One novice hurdle winner at Aintree in 2019 and wasn't completely disgraced behind Captain Guinness in a chase at Naas earlier this season.

Have the three subsequent no-shows back over hurdles all been part of a long-term plot to get him into a County off a BHA mark of 143? You're getting 66/1 to find out.

1310: Pro-Skelton?

Jonathan Neesom has just stated his case for Protektorat winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Racing TV and I'm sure he's not being completely serious when he says: "well, I didn't like anything else."

I do get the love for Dan Skelton's horse, when you combine the Grade One Aintree win last spring with the huge effort under a big weight in the Paddy Power Gold Cup, and the runaway Many Clouds win last time we saw him.

But I was fortunate enough to visit Skelton's impressive yard in the lead-up to Cheltenham recently and I wasn't totally bowled over with the idea of him winning today. "He's certainly more Denman than Kauto," said Paul Nicholls' former assistant trainer. And, personally, I'm just not convinced he'll quite have the gears to live with these top-class Irish horses.

"To be the shortest priced English runner is brilliant and to fly the flag is brilliant. I wanted to take him fresh and well and I haven't got any negatives going there," said Skelton. "But the Gold Cup field is open and when those horses race against each other there seems to be a different winner.

"I think good to soft, soft ground is fine and that's probably what it will be. But if it happens to rain Thursday night I won't be disappointed!"

Well, it hasn't rained on Thursday night I'm afraid Dan. Check out the full video below in which I was rather bowled over by his confidence in today's County Hurdle contender West Cork.

1300: Live and kicking

Big thanks to Ben and Rich for building the excitement beautifully throughout Gold Cup day morning – I’m Matt Brocklebank and it’s almost time for the talking to stop.

The contrast between Wednesday and today is quite remarkable weather-wise and as the sun beats down I’d be amazed if we didn’t see another going change before the day’s out. Another reminder, it’s currently Good to Soft, Soft in places on both the hurdles and chase tracks.

1255: Vauban all the rage

Vauban absolutely rock-solid ahead of the opening Triumph Hurdle. 13/8 with Sky Bet and still attracting strong support.

I wonder what Matt Brocklebank makes of it all. Thankfully he'll be on hand to guide you through the live action very soon. In the meantime, he has four selections in Friday's Value Bet.

1245: Cheltenham set to roar

Cheltenham is packed to the rafters, the sun is shining and we'll soon hear that famous Cheltenham roar one last time in 2022. It's been so good to have the real Cheltenham back this year.

I've got so many bets on I'm not sure what day it is any more. Gold Cup day – there really is nothing like it.

1235: 50/1 Gold Cup fancy

"******* bounced back to form in the Cotswold Chase here last time, staying on well up the hill again behind Chantry House, and given that the 10-year-old is reportedly very hard to get fit, further improvement can be expected from that run.

If so, Nick Scholfield's mount could out-run his big odds and, if back to his best, he would have a winning chance."

I absolutely love Simon Holt's 50/1 tip in the Cheltenham Gold Cup...

1230: One hour to go!

One hour until the first race. Get your bets on folks, get your bets on.

1215: Hillcrest strong but short enough

Hillcrest is proving really strong at the head of the betting for the Albert Bartlett and might yet go off shorter than 2/1.

I'm a huge Henry Daly fan and would love to see his charge win, but 2/1 about Hillcrest in a race full of so many potential dangers? Not for me.

I really like the case Ben Linfoot makes for Good Time Jonny here, with Tony Martin surely not supplementing just for a day out in the Guinness Tent.

I'll take him and Stag Horn at big prices against the favourite, the latter being a smart Flat horse who stays all day and has impressed since switching codes. Archie Watson is a terrific young trainer whose horses tend to improve with racing.

1200: Love Island, anyone?

Any Love Island fans out there?

If so, this video of Chris Hughes talking to Tom Messenger – assistant trainer to Dan Skelton –might be right up your street.

In all seriousness, the Skelton yard had a couple of runners run really well without winning yesterday and have live chances again today.

1145: Specials time!

I'm not one to brag, but both of the specials bets I put up on Wednesday and Thursday were winners, though I was genuinely gutted to see Bob Olinger win in the manner he did on Thursday. Awful stuff and I was so happy to see Galopin Des Champs get up after his crushing final-fence fall.

Anyway, today's effort is Fil Dor without Vauban in the Triumph Hurdle. As already mentioned, I'm a fan, but even if Vauban proves to be the second coming and wins pulling a cart, I can't believe Fil Dor won't run very well and chase him home.

Fil Dor without the favourite at 4/1 with Sky Bet looks the bet to me.

1130: Mullins gunning for Gold

Willie Mullins has three live chances in this year's Gold Cup.

Hear what the master trainer makes of each of his runners ahead of the big one...

1115: Mozzie makes strong appeal

The County Hurdle wouldn't usually be the type of race I'd get too heavily involved in, but I must admit to being mad keen on the claims of My Mate Mozzie this year.

I've been sweet on this horse ever since he won a Punchestown bumper in good style last spring and he has taken to hurdles really well, winning a couple of times and only narrowly missing out in a Fairyhouse Grade One in November.

He travelled like a top-class performer on that occasion and though well beaten in one subsequent run, he's been given a good break since to freshen him up and trainer Gavin Cromwell is a master at lining one up for the big day.

He could have easily have taken his chance in the Champion Hurdle, having held an entry in Tuesday's showpiece race until the five-day stage, and I love that Cromwell has managed to get four runs over hurdles into this novice already.

As ever, this is a red-hot race, but with Sky Bet paying eight places each-way, I'm not passing up the offer at around the 20/1 mark.

1055: Love Cheltenham

Ah...would you just look at that!

Cheltenham. Glorious, beautiful, wonderful Cheltenham.

1045: Ruby, Ruby, Ruby!

Did anyone watch Ruby Walsh's analysis on ITV Racing on Thursday? A masterclass throughout.

Thankfully, Ruby is on hand with his tips for the final day of the Festival.

1030: Non-runners

Not too many non-runners to worry about today, with the weather set fair, but Reserve Tank (22) is out of the closing Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle, Zamparelli (20) the St James's Place Challenge Cup, and Falcon Eight (6) the Albert Bartlett.

1015: Market movers

We've got the latest movers and shakers from the Paddy Power Trading Room now.

The Triumph Hurdle isn't all about Vauban, with stablemate Icare Allen now 14/1 from 16/1. Sporting the same colours of JP McManus, Broomfield Burg is also 14/1 from 16/1 in the County Hurdle. First Street has also attracted support in the same race.

Hillcrest is strong at the head of the betting for Albert Bartlett (2.50) and Henry Daly's charge is now 5/2 from 11/4.

In the Gold Cup, last year's runner-up A Plus Tard is 5/2 from 3/1, though former winner Al Boum Photo hasn't been without support and is now into 11/1.

Later on the card, Pink Legend is a real springer in the Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase, backed into 16/1 from 22/1.

In the concluding Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle, Adamantly Chosen and Hollow Games are both proving popular.

1000: Punting Pointers

Two bets today for the peerless Punting Pointers team.

0930: Fil yer boots?

The excellent Dan Barber of Timeform and Racing TV told me a few weeks ago that Fil Dor in the Triumph Hurdle was one of his best bets of the Festival. Given the drift this morning, I have to agree.

The negatives are that he was firmly put in his place by Vauban at the Dublin Racing Festival, and that drying ground at Cheltenham will suit that speedier type.

The positives? Well, Dan Barber fancies him. And I really do think the nature of this course, its stiff finish, and the promise of a strongly-run race will bring Fil Dor's stamina into play. I know this race isn't the fist fight it once was, but it still takes a tough one to win it.

At 15/2, he has to be an each-way bet.

0915: Money on his hip!

An update on Ben Linfoot who has been struggling with a bad hip. He's still struggling with his hip, but according to one unnamed member of the racing desk, 'Linfoot is rolling in it after a good Cheltenham.'

And that's really no surprise after Ben found the 33/1 winner of the Pertemps on Wednesday, as Third Wind toughed it out to prevail for trainer Hughie Morrison.

Despite his hobble, Ben is in buoyant mood this morning and has previewed all of the ITV action here.

0910: D-Day...

All in all, we've had a terrific week at Cheltenham, but there is no time to dwell on the past with Friday's action only hours away.

I've managed to chip away over the first three days, despite hitting the crossbar with frustrating regularity, but I must confess to having a number of strong fancies running today.

D-Day indeed.

0900: Good morning, again!

Good morning, again. Richard Mann signing on as Ben Coley takes his leave to go and tweet about golf and the government.

And what a final day of Cheltenham Festival 2022 we have in store: The Cheltenham Gold Cup, a cracking renewal of the Triumph Hurdle and the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle. We've got the County Hurdle, too. Bring. It. On.

0855: There's only one Danny Mullins

This is a really touching story which tells you plenty about Danny Mullins, whose ride aboard Flooring Porter won plenty of plaudits yesterday.

This will win him plenty of admirers, too, and is a timely reminder that whatever happens at Cheltenham today, it's only sport.

0848: Prince of Prestbury Park

You know that scene in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, where Kevin Costner emerges from the morning fog after they all think he's been got by the Celts? Of course you do.

0840: Premium service

We've secured a Premium Price Boost from Sky Bet every day and that continues into this afternoon, where the odds on Elimay are significantly enhanced. So far one of the three has won, Facile Vega, with both Klassical Dream and Gaelic Warrior running well but unable to justify significant support.

Click the image below for today's.

0830: Crowded house

Just look at those crowds yesterday. It may not have been an absolute classic of a Festival so far in terms of duels, so many failing to materialise, but Cheltenham has its soul back.

And Friday is still to come.

0815: Early market movers

Buoyed perhaps by the relative success of the home team, Porticello and Knight Salute have been supported to topple the Irish in the Triumph Hurdle. The former, Matt Brocklebank's 16/1 antepost tip, is into 9/1 with Betfair and a best of 12/1, with Knight Salute just showing early signs of attracting each-way money at prices ranging from 14/1 to 18s.

State Man is a short price for the County Hurdle at just 3/1 but he's not going to be drifting far from that if the exchanges are a guide. At bigger odds though those green and gold silks beside the name of Broomfield Bug stand out, and he's 14/1 from 25/1 with Sky Bet in a race where they pay eight places.

Hillcrest would be a popular winner of the Albert Bartlett and shades favouritism from Ginto at 11/4, and that could be just about the SP of A Plus Tard by the time the Gold Cup comes around. He's 3/1 with every firm bar Betway who go 11/4.

Billaway is a strong 2/1 favourite for the St James's Place Challenge Cup, where Cousin Pascal (12/1) and Pont Aven (11/1) are the ones for each-way money in a quiet market, but the big springer away from the main action is Pink Legend in the Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase. She was 50/1 yesterday and while there's still some 33s around, the sponsors have cut her to 16/1 and aren't alone in taking evasive action.

Finally, the Martin Pipe where Hollow Games has closed in on Langer Dan at the head of the betting. The Goffer (14/1) and Decimation (20/1) are both popular while Herbiers is attracting bits and pieces at 50s.

0800: Trends from Timeform

Aware that I did just step outside of my box, I feel compelled to point you towards Timeform's trends guide to the Gold Cup.

Interesting that Chantry House gets a nod here. Remember, he was 3/1 favourite for the King George, slammed Asterion Forlonge in last year's Marsh Novices' Chase, and after disappointing at Kempton won here on Trials Day.

The ground suits and Henderson told readers of his Unibet blog: "His work has been good and he schooled beautifully earlier this week so he goes there in as good a form as we can get and I wouldn’t rule him out with plenty in his favour."

0755: The big one

So, the Gold Cup. Right now, A Plus Tard is a solid favourite from Galvin, with Minella Indo around 11/2 to retain his crown. It's 8/1 Protektorat and double-figure prices the rest.

No doubt this is a fascinating renewal and you'd do well to draw a line through any of them, really, although one or two might've needed the ground to stay testing to get the classy horses beaten.

That said with it drying, might Tornado Flyer be something of a forgotten horse? He was a brilliant winner of an admittedly slightly unsatisfactory King George, was running on behind Allaho in the Ryanair last year having been given plenty to do, and if he stays looks like he might go really well at 12/1.

He'd get my vote but here's Willie Mullins on all three of his runners.

0740: Fait accompli?

As you can see here, Ireland hold a slender advantage in the Prestbury Cup, and can't get any more than 18 even if sweeping the board today. It's clearly been a better-than-expected week for the home team and the outcome is still in the balance.

Well, ish.

The trouble is, Ireland are long odds-on to win the Triumph, have the favourite and a couple of key dangers in the County, all the main threats to Hillcrest in the Albert Bartlett, the top three Gold Cup contenders according to the market, and... well, yes, it may be over by the fifth race but they have the favourite there, too.

Sky Bet have a market on today's score and make 5-2 Ireland (7/4) and 6-1 Ireland (9/4) the most likely outcomes. A whitewash is 7/1, with the British equivalent priced at 200s. The fact they don't appear to be betting on the Prestbury Cup probably says it all.

0730: Fry-day, Saturday...

As the early-hours custodian of this blog, my remit is to leave the tipping to the experts, but I will say this: wasn't in nice to see Harry Fry win the mares' race yesterday? And aren't his horses going well? Fry has had nine runners over the last seven days, with three winners, and the only one to finish outside of the first three was If The Cap Fits, sixth at 33/1 in the Coral Cup.

Given enhanced place terms for that race, anyone backing Fry's runners this week, here and beyond, has struck gold and while he doesn't have anything today, watch out for tomorrow. Fry has plenty of chances including two in the Uttoxeter feature, where last-time-out winner Captain Drake remains well-treated on form such as his second in the same race two years ago.

Back to Cheltenham...

0720: Lights, camera, action

Look, it's been a long week. You may experience some substandard headings, and it was that or 'video killed the written tipstaaaar'. Deal with it.

Here are three Sporting Life stalwarts discussing today's action and, I dare say, reflecting on a 33/1 winner for Ben Linfoot yesterday. Matt Brocklebank landed more big-priced place money in the Plate and then hit the crossbar with the gambled on Mister Coffey, tipped at 16/1 but second at 5/1.

I dare say Matt wishes both had been a bit handier but it's a tough game and in the case of Mister Coffey, he was badly hampered early in the race. What might have been.

For what might yet be... click play.

0710: Good to soft, soft in places

That's the verdict of clerk of the course Jon Pullin, who predicts a dry day, with fog making way for sunny spells and temperatures rising to 15 degrees.

We started the week good to soft, and we might well end it there.

While we're here, the only non-runner so far is Reserve Tank (22) in the closing Martin Pipe. He'd been as big as 100/1 in places so no effect on the market with Langer Dan favourite.

0700: Going for Gold

Good morning, welcome to the final day of the Cheltenham Festival, where the Gold Cup takes centre stage following the Triumph, the Albert Bartlett, and between those two a 26-runner County Hurdle.

We'll be building up to an open renewal of the feature with previews, quotes, stats and more so stay with us until after the final race at 5.30.

Here's our schedule for the day ahead.

• 7-9am: The latest going, early news and notable non-runners
• 9am-1pm: Market movers and all the latest news from the track from Adam Houghton and Richard Mann
• 1pm-6pm: Previews, tips, action, results and reaction with Matt Brocklebank

To join in the conversation email racingfeedback@sportinglife.com or tweet @SportingLife but for now, we'll take you through some key previews, check in on the going, and keep an eye on any news and non-runners.

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