Cheltenham LIVE: Results, winners and latest updates from Gold Cup

Cheltenham Festival enters its final day with punters ready to again assess the runners and riders and consider the best expert tips and fancies in the ongoing battle with the bookies to secure betting success.

With millions wagered each year on events like the Gold Cup, it is a lucrative week for the bookmakers, with forecast wind and rain perhaps making 2023’s races even more unpredictable than usual.

A number of the United Kingdom’s biggest bookies are offering free bets to celebrate Cheltenham week. Here are the best offers if you’re looking to have a flutter:

The Cheltenham Festival 2023 has reached its final day and the biggest event on the racing calendar has delivered some thrilling action already.

Prestbury Park still has one more day of action-packed days of racing, including some exciting horses to follow and tips from the experts as we enter Day 4.

Rachael Blackmore steered Honeysuckle to a fairytale and highly emotional victory in the Mares’ Hurdle on Day 1, on her final career start for Henry de Bromhead, before Energumene and Delta Work were among the big-name winners on Day 2 and the 33/1 shot Sire Du Berlais won the Stayers’ Hurdle on Day 3.

The Gold Cup and plenty more is to come on a packed day of action on Friday.

Here’s everything you need to know about watching the Cheltenham Festival:

The Cheltenham Festival saw Rachael Blackmore steer Honeysuckle to an emotional farewell victory on Day 1 before Energumene and Delta Work were among the big-name winners on Day 2.

As well as the Gold Cup, punters will be excited to take on plenty of Grade 1 races this week and the action does not stop after Good Time Jonny won the Pertemps Network Final Hurdle and Sire Du Berlais took the Stayers’ Hurdle.

On Friday, the County Hurdle and the Mares Chase will also be high-profile races, even with the Gold Cup as the main attraction.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the 2023 Cheltenham Festival including the full race card and Day 4 schedule for Friday:

Cheltenham Festival continues Friday on Day 4 in what has been a thrilling week of racing but it’s now time for the Gold Cup.

It was all about Rachael Blackmore 12 months ago on A Plus Tard and the Irishwoman has given an update on the horse ahead of its bid to defend the title.

There’s time for one more packed race card including seven exciting races to showcase the finest in the sport in the Cotswolds, including the highly-anticipated Gold Cup.

The Irish trainers contiue to shine and will hope to triumph once again after landing the Prestbury Cup 12 months ago with a mighty 18 wins compared to just 10 for British-trained horses.

Here’s everything you need to know about the 2023 Cheltenham Festival with tips and best bets to take on Day 4 on Friday:

St Patrick’s Thursday – Thursday, March 16

Turners Novices’ Chase - 1.30pm

1. Stage Star - 15/2
2. Notlongtillmay - 40/1
3. Mighty Potter - 4/6

Pertemps Network Final Hurdle - 2.10pm

1. Good Time Jonny - 9/1
2. Salvador Ziggy - 10/1
3. Mill Green - 22/1

Ryanair Chase - 2.50pm

1. Envoi Allen - 13/2
2. Shishkin - 1/1
3. Hitman - 22/1

Stayers’ Hurdle - 3.30pm

1. Sire Du Berlais – 33/1
2. Teahupoo – 9/4
3. Dashel Drasher – 40/1

County Plate Chase - 4.10pm

1. Seddon - 20/1
2. Fugitif - 11/1
3. Shakem Up’arry 16/1

Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle - 4.50pm

1. You Wear It Well - 16/1
2. Magical Zoe - 15/2
3. Halka Du Tabert -12/1

Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup - 5.30pm

1. Angels Dawn -10/1
2. Stumptown - 7/2
3. Mr Incredible - 4/1

Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the Cheltenham Festival.

We’ve reached the final day of the festival and the iconic Cheltenham Gold Cup. Can Rachael Blackmore triumph for a second year in a row?

Stick with us for full live coverage.