This was Mail Sport's live blog as we provided you with all the latest updates, results, tips and coverage from day four of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival - Gold Cup Day
Thrills, spills, and everything in between - thanks for following along with our live coverage on what has been a terrific 2024 Festival.This was Mail Sport's live blog as we provided you with all the latest updates, results, tips and coverage from day four of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival.
Absurde reins victorious in the BetMGM County Handicap HurdleAbsurde rode through the field to claim victory in the BetMGM County Handicap Hurdle.Mail Online Limerick Lace wins the Mrs Paddy Power Mares' ChaseLimerick Lace has won the Mrs Paddy Power's Mares Chase on day four of the Cheltenham Festival.Mail Online
17:46What a week it's been for the Irish As Irish claim a one-two-three-four in the final race, and with it, another emphatic win in the Prestbury Cup.17:42Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle: RESULTS17:40Gordon Elliott speaks to Racing TVI got the biggest kick out of that. To win the Martin Pipe, he's my idol. They're so good to me, and I've been trying to get them a Cheltenham winner. He's a big chaser, absolutely delighted.
17:35Waterford Whispers takes the leadIt's after a mishap from Ocastle Des Mottes, who clatters the jump, but he keeps pace as they head downhill.17:34Ocastle Des Mottes opens up the leadFollowed by Mel Monroe, Waterford Whispers and Quai De Bourbon, as they head up the home straight. Man of the week Willie Mullins has won this race four times and has a good shot at claiming fifth thanks to the well-fancied Quai De Bourbon, but his recent form hasn't been half as strong as the favourite, Waterford Whispers. Henry de Bromhead has two winners this week, and this is a good chance for his hat-trick.
16:55Climbing now...And Marsh Wren is looking to swipe the lead from Instit. Dinoblue is making moves forward now, tucked in the middle of the pack in fourth as they make their way down the other side of the hill. Much of the conversation comes down to the two front-runners: Dinoblue versus Allegorie De Vassy. Both are Mullins-trained, with the former making her first trip back to Cheltenham since 2022. She won a Grade One at Leopardstown in December, but the distance could prove a little troubling, as she has never won over 2m 1f - and we're 2m 4f today.
16:18After the final fence...Its On The Line is trying on the inside, but Sine Nomine has excellent pace to test last year's runner-up... But with five fences to go, here comes Time Leader, sneaking forward alongside Shantou looking for second place. 16:13Premier Magic hangs on the outsideA wobbly moment from Ferns Lock who leads the pack, and then has a difficult moment over the next fence, straying onto the right.16:11The Hunters' Chase is underwayWith Samcro leading the pack, alongside Its On The Line, Ferns Lock on the outside and Shantou Flyer tucked inside.
Galopin Des Champs claims back-to-back Gold Cup triumphs at CheltenhamThe eight-year-old was sent off the 10-11 favourite to defend his Festival title and he did so in style, galloping away from Gerri Colombe up the Cheltenham hill.Mail Online 15:44A fourth Gold Cup win for Paul TownendHe matches Arkle's great jockey, Pat Taaffe, with this win on Galopin Des Champs.15:43Owner Audrey Turley is in tears, on ITV Racing terrifying. I'm sorry but it is. I don't think it gets any easier. I will enjoy the race later, when I know what's going to happen. I'm just so thrilled that everybody got around - and Galopin won! He is so special to us, we absolutely lovely. When we go to the stables to meet him, he is just so lovely.
Corach Rambler the back-marker now, as The Real Whacker continues to lead despite an imperfect trip over that next fence. 15:27Time for a well-lit paradeAnd despite the scattered grey clouds, the sun is shining through in bright streaks as the horses are led up in front of a packed house on Gold Cup Day.15:26Monkfish returns to CheltenhamWinner of the 2021 Brown Advisory Novices' Chase, the Willie Mullins chase returns to the course after a striking three-year absence.
Have a watch of today's Cheltenham Confidential for Lizzie Kelly and Marcus Townend's thoughts on potential each-way nods, below. 15:05Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle: RESULTS15:02WATCH: Stellar Story at the lastA heartfelt performance from the Gordon Elliott-trained horse. 14:55Rounding the cornerThey pass the stands before heading through the halfway stage, and receive a huge roar of encouragement from the crowd.
14:53The field steadiesThe Jukebox Man still setting the pace by three lengths, with Captain Teague in the midpack, just ahead of Readin Tommy Wrong on the outside.14:51The Albert Bartlett is underwayThese novices have a punchy distance of three miles to cover, and in testing conditions, it could be a real slog for the babies, with many of them untested.
In his last outing he won a Grade One at Naas, beating Albert Bartlett contender Lecky Watson, and is unbeaten this season - a fearsome prospect amid a talented field. I won't repeat what the lads were saying to me in the weight room, but it was nice to go out and take a chance. 14:13Afadil lays down the gauntletClimbing towards the send hurdle, and he pops over with no bother, before rounding the corner.14:12The County Handicap Hurdle is underwayAfadil starts with a five-length lead, and all clear the first hurdle, with Absurde the back-marker for now.
The horse has lost out of late only to Slade Steel and Ballyburn - champions this week - last month, and in this Handicap field, could storm ahead and claim the ultimate glory.13:46Paul Nicholls shares his views on Bravemansgame's renewed Gold Cup prospects - and his four other runners at CheltenhamBritish trainer Nicholls has his first runner of the day with Afadil in 25 minutes, but missing out on running Rare Middleton after he was scratched earlier this morning.
13:32Bunting stays close to stablemate MajboroughIn the middle of the pack, with Highwind, Ethical Diamond and Nurburgring sitting back over the second hurdle. 13:11Lizzy Kelly's pick for the Triumph HurdleKargese, looking magnificent ahead of her turn in the first race of the day. The Irish trainer has seven of the 12 runners lining up for the first race - Peking Opera is the second non-runner - and his Storm Heart is the romping favourite at 7/2.
CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL TIPS - DAY FOUR: The best bets for Friday's racesMail Sport brings you our racing experts' tips with selections from top tipster Robin Goodfellow, National Hunt legend Peter Scudamore and former Grade One winning jockey Lizzie Kelly.Mail Online 12:19Fresh turf on the Gold Cup circuit, at leastThings aren't quite so muddy as the Heavy ground Dessie had to endure 35 years ago, but the persistent rain has made the Chase course Soft, Heavy in places ahead of the day's feature race.
11:56The Prestbury Cup: an updateTalks of a green-wash may yet resurface as night falls this evening, but after a strong Thursday, a rout topping last year's has been cancelled after an impressive turn from British trainers.That's thanks in no small part to a heroic effort from Dan Skelton's yard, with brother Harry aboard winners Protektorat, Monmiral, Langer Dan, and Grey Dawning.
A new Gold Cup trophy is cast every year, and it's worth an estimated £10,000 - that's what 10 ounces of gold looks like, for your information. Mullins was denied the opportunity to tip over his 100-race milestone yesterday, but there's little doubt he'll add a few more winners to his Festival haul today - and perhaps claim the biggest prize of all.
Things were looking abysmal for the hosts on Wednesday evening, but after claiming five winners to Ireland's two on Thursday, some genuine needle has been injected back into the Prestbury Cup.ED CHAMBERLIN: Time to revel in a proper Gold Cup at CheltenhamED CHAMBERLIN: Selections can wait. The only place to start is the best day of this year's Festival by far, a day when it felt like people fell in love with Cheltenham again.
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