Three big talking points…
1. Fields of Gold: Last year’s Gold Cup might not have been the strongest renewal but in terms of drama, Lord Windermere’s win — and the stewards’ enquiry that followed — were unmatched. The same can be said for the class in this year’s field but that doesn’t mean that the puzzle will be any easier to solve.
The favourite, Silviniaco Conti (10/3), has been the best horse this year over three miles but there are still plenty of question marks over his Cheltenham ability. Behind him, a host of improving young contenders are lining up to take their shot – Many Clouds (7/1), Coneygree (9/1), Holywell (11/1) and Irish duo Djakadam (7/1) and Road to Riches (11/1) – while former champions Bob’s Worth (16/1) and Lord Windermere (18/1) are back again.
Then there’s AP McCoy, riding in the Gold Cup for the final time on board Hennessy winner Carlingford Lough (10/1) and bound to attract his fair share of sentimental pounds.
There might not be a Kauto or a Denman among them — but it’s still shaping up to be a cracker.
2. The final hurdles: The stars of the future will get the ball rolling on the final day with the Grade 1 JCB Triumph Hurdle (1.30pm) and the three-mile Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (2.40pm).
Between them Nicky Henderson and Willie Mullins share five of the top six in the Triumph betting and, although this race has gone to Ireland for the last two years, Peace and Co (5/2) or stablemate Hargam (7/1) look to be the best chances for the home team.
The Irish look to have a much better chance in the Albert Bartlett which sees Mullins’ Black Hercules (7/2) go up against Gigginstown’s No More Heroes (9/2) and the Mags Mullins-trained Martello Tower (10/1).
3. The Master bows out: AP McCoy always knew this day would come and on Friday, the 19-time champion jockey rides at Cheltenham for the very last time.
Uxizandre’s shock performance in the Ryanair spared him the pressure of going into the final day still winless, but you can be sure that plenty would love to see him add to his 31 Festival wins.
He has five rides: Hargam (1.30), Princely Conn (2.05), Fletchers Flyer (2.40), Carlingford Lough (3.20) and Ned Buntline (5.15).
NAP of the day…
The bookies bit back on day three with five of the six winners sent off at odds of 9/1 or longer. Without naming names, certain individuals in The42 HQ have been talking up Peace and Co‘s Triumph Hurdle prospects since mid-December. He’s available at 11/4 at the time of writing and come 1.35pm, that might look very generous indeed.
An each-way fancy…
If the rain holds off overnight, last year’s Gold Cup winner Lord Windermere is massively overpriced to defend his title at 18/1.
Accumulator…
It’s AP McCoy’s last ever day at the Cheltenham Festival and while we’re not too sweet on his rides in the Grade races, he might very well pull off a handicap double. A euro on Princely Conn in the County Hurdle and Ned Buntline in the Grand Annual returns €60 if successful.
Or, like everything else we’ve given you this week, it will cost you a euro.
-Originally published Thursday 20.25.
