THERE’S JUST ONE day to go in the 2021 Cheltenham Festival.
Racing journalist Johnny Ward has been bringing you his best tips throughout the week — along with William Hill’s latest prices — and here are some horses to consider for Friday.
Will the Irish domination of Cheltenham continue into day four, or could the British rally and finish the Festival strongly?
I think the hosts will have a better Friday than the rest of the week but Willie Mullins will be confident that, having never won a Gold Cup, he might now have a three-time winner of the race in Al Boum Photo.
With the Lincolnshire starting on Sunday, the Flat returning and a hint of summer in the air, we’ve a day to savour at Cheltenham.
Here are my selections:
Tritonic — 3/1 (Triumph Hurdle, 1.20)
There’s clearly more depth to the Irish juvenile division than the British picture, but Tritonic looks by far the best of the home team and he might be better than the Irish too.
His Ascot form has been let down by the runner-up but that is no real concern. High-class on the Flat, he has switched seamlessly to hurdling, and has a lot of ability at this level. He jumps really well and is a much bigger price than Zanahiyr, who looks the danger.
Vanillier — 25/1 (Albert Bartlett, 2.30)
Hills goes four places in this and 25s about Gavin Cromwell’s charge, who was a sick horse when flopping at Leopardstown last time.
Ignore that and remember he beat Stattler earlier in the season, yet he is a much shorter price. He ran a blinder at Limerick in the middle and could still be progressing. His trainer wouldn’t be targeting this unless he thought he was capable of getting involved.
Champ — 5/1 (Gold Cup, 3.05)
Champ is coming to hand nicely for his biggest test yet and this bet is all the more appealing as William Hill goes four each-way places. He wasn’t especially fluent at times as a novice, but still ended up running away with the RSA Chase, and his comeback run in the Game Spirit was really encouraging when he jumped and travelled like a class act.
He looks to have a massive chance if he can avoid mistakes.
Al Boum Photo has to be respected and there’s no obvious reason why he cannot complete the hat-trick — except that he’s never faced Champ before. A race to savour.
Odds above correct at the time of writing. For all the latest prices, visit williamhill.com. 18+, always gamble responsibly. For more information, see gamblingtherapy.org
