Cheltenham reaches Day 4 and after a tough week for punters, attention turns to the biggest day of them all with hopes of clawing some money back before the Festival wraps up.
The card looks every bit as competitive as the earlier days, with several wide-open handicaps, a tricky novice contest and a fascinating Gold Cup that could easily fall to an improver rather than one of the more obvious market leaders.
As with the previous previews, the mail comes from a source right in the middle of the UK jumps scene. Below is the full Day 4 assessment.
13:20 (00:20 AEDT) – Race 1
This looks fairly open with Willie Mullins seemingly holding all the aces. Selma De Vary looks solid on the back of her first run for the yard in a Grade 1 and should go well. Mon Creuset was travelling well when making a bad mistake last time and was looked after from there, so he can improve. From that same race, Kai Lung also shapes as one who could show up at a big price.
14:00 (01:00 AEDT) – Race 2
Once again this looks wide open and is probably the sort of race where a couple of darts can be thrown without too much confidence. Joyeuse should be primed to run well here and is one to keep onside. Secret Squirrel can improve for his return at Wincanton, where he could easily have been put up in the weights but was not, and that gives him a chance to run a big race.
Tip: Joyeuse @ 10/1
14:40 (01:40 AEDT) – Race 3
No real view.
15:20 (02:20 AEDT) – Race 4
There are plenty of runners in this novice and it looks very difficult to sort through with any confidence. A few worth considering include Mondouiboy, whose yard had a winner yesterday, and Doctor Du Mesnil, who was disappointing last time but had previously dominated Thedeviluno in their point-to-point. At the prices, Doctor Du Mesnil could be worth chancing.
Tip: Doctor Du Mesnil @ 25/1
16:00 (03:00 AEDT) – Race 5
This looks a wide-open Gold Cup and any number of these can be given a chance. If forced to side with one, it would be Jango Baie, who looked unlucky in the King George and still has further improvement to come. It is also not hard to see the old boy Envoi Allen running into the frame, although it is more difficult to picture his ageing legs keeping up late if the race becomes a true staying test.
Tip: Jango Baie @ 11/2
16:40 (03:40 AEDT) – Race 6
No strong view here, although Linelee King looked a good lay at the 33/1 mark.
17:20 (04:20 AEDT) – Race 7
Another rock-hard handicap closes the card and once again it may pay to keep stakes low and spread a little. East India Dock is one to consider, while Act Of Authority also appeals as the sort who can run better than his price in a race where plenty can be given some sort of chance.
