Cheltenham Festival tips: Experts on best bets and 12 horses to watch

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Andrew Feinberg

White House Correspondent

The Cheltenham Festival concludes on Friday after 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.

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

The 2023 Cheltenham Festival started on Tuesday 14 March and finishes Friday 17 March. There are seven races each day, beginning from 1.30pm GMT and concluding at 5.30pm.

Tips via Sky Bet

13:30 – JCB Triumph Hurdle: Lossiemouth (Alex Hammond, 7/4)

Alex Hammond: “[On Lossiemouth] Didn’t get the smoothest run when beaten for the first time at the DRF and can bounce back here.”

14:50 – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Registered as The Spa Novices’ Hurdle): Stay Away Fay (Ed Chamberlin, 20/1)

Ed Chamberlin: “[On Stay Away Fay] Stays all day!”

15:30 – Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase: Galopin Des Champs (Oli Bell, 2/1), Stattler (Ed Chamberlin, 11/1), Noble Yeats (Alex Hammond, 9/1)

Oli Bell: “[On Galopin Des Champs] Would have bolted up last year and won well last time, I don’t have doubts about the trip and think class will win.”

Ed Chamberlin: “[On Stattler] Not as flashy as Galopin Des Champs but is a grinder suited to the Gold Cup test.”

Alex Hammond: “[On Noble Yeats] National winner. Gone from strength to strength. Tried to give weight to rivals in Cotswold and can finish in the places.”

16:10 – St. James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase: Chris’s Dream (Alex Hammond, 8/1)

Alex Hammond: “[On Chris’s Dream] Revitalised by two runs/wins in points and classy back form, so should run well here.”

16:50 – Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase: Allegorie De Vassy (Alex Hammond, 3/2)

Alex Hammond: “[On Allegorie De Vassy] Unbeaten since joining Willie Mulllins and there should be much more to come over fences.”

Tips via Paddy Power

13.30 - JCB Triumph Hurdle: Blood Destiny

“If heavy appears in the going, it suits Blood Destiny because then it becomes a stamina race.

“I don’t see pace in this race to make it a slog but if the ground gets really testing and the track makes it a slog, it definitely goes in Blood Destiny’s favour”

14:10 - County Hurdle: Ballyadam

“If I was going for a tip, I’d be with Ballyadam. I thought he ran well behind Gaelic Warrior and at 25/1, he’s probably overpriced.”

14.50 - Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle: Corbetts Cross

“I’m with Corbetts Cross. He’s longer than Three Card Brag in the betting now which really suits me. He’s a potential super star and I’m with him.

“Three Card Brag has done nothing wrong. Sandor Clegane ran well behind Goodland at Leopardstown but Goodland flopped in the Ballymore.”

“I’ve been with Corbetts Cross from the word go and I’m not going to turn my back on him. Whether he wins the Albert Bartlett or not, he’ll be a Gold Cup horse at some stage.”

15.30 – Gold Cup: Galopin Des Champs

“I’ve always been a Galopin Des Champs fan and I’m not going to desert him now. I couldn’t win a Gold Cup for Willie Mullins, but Paul Townend could be on the verge of winning a third for him.”

16.10 - Festival Challenge Cup Hunters’ Chase: Vaucelet but the value is in Chris’s Dream

“I’m a Vaucelet fan. Billaway at 8/1 is an each way shout but Chris’s dream at 10/1 is the value. Vaucelet is a big, big runner.”

16.50 - Paddy Power Mares’ Chase: Alegorie De Vassy

“There’s a worry about Alegorie De Vassy jumping right but she’s been jumping straight of late so hopefully she does that again on Friday. She’s the class horse in the race. If you wanted to oppose her, you’d have to go really big on someone like Riviere D’etel.

“I hope it’s in the balance for Paul Townend to be leading rider and he has to go out and make a huge effort. If he does that, she [Alegorie De Vassy will win].

17.30 - Martin Pipe Hurdle: Spanish Harlem

“Spanish Harlem has improved this week, but so has Cool Survivor and Imagine. This is a competitive race and one of the novices will win it. I hope it is Spanish Harlem as that would round out an incredible week for Michael O’Sullivan.

“But at a price, Spirit of Legend. I’d be with Spanish Harlem, but for double digit value, Spirit of Legend.”

1:30 Triumph Hurdle

2:10 County Hurdle

2:50 Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle

3:30 Gold Cup

4:10 St James’ Place Festival Hunters Chase

4:50 Mares Chase

5:30 Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle