Cheltenham Day Four Tips

Diarmuid Nolan

March 18th, 2021

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It's day four of a great week at the Cheltenham Festival and David Mullins, a multiple Grade 1 winning jockey now retired from the saddle, uses all his experience to guide you through with his race by race guide to the biggest week in the National Hunt racing calendar. The feature race is the Gold Cup and the excellent supporting card for Friday at Cheltenham make for a fascinating end to a wonderful week.

Triumph Hurdle 1.20pm - Zanahiyr

A very straight forward start to the day here and while I would usually want to take on a favourite in the Triumph, I just can't see past Zanahiyr.

I'm not the biggest fan of this division in the world, but having watched him back again I think Zanahiyr is head and shoulders above these. The drying ground will really suit him I think and the first 2 in the Fred Winter paid a big compliment to him as he beat them both easily this season. I can't see anything to beat him.

Back Zanahiyr at 5/4 with Ladbrokes

County Hurdle 1.55pm - Third Time Lucki & Drop The Anchor

A race I both love and hate as I finished 2nd in it twice, but I have this whittled down to Third Time Lucki and Drop The Anchor.

Third Time Lucki is a very classy horse who wouldn't have been out of place in the Supreme so he has to enter calculations off a mark of 143. Dan Skelton does very well in this race and he looks another likely contender. Drop The Anchor really impressed me last time when winning at Leopardstown and I think that is very strong form. I know he is up a few pounds, but he could well still be ahead of the handicapper. He's in great form which is a huge advantage in races like this.

Back Drop The Anchor at 12/1 and Third Time Lucki at 7/1 with 888

Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle 2.30pm - Vanillier

This might not be the strongest renewal of this race and it looks very open, so I'm taking a chance on Vannillier.

I know he disappointed last time, but a few did on that occasion as the ground was tough going at Leopardstown on the hurdle track. Jonny Moore seems to think he'll run big and before that he did look a very nice horse. In an open race I'm happy to take a chance on him at 28/1 with the bookmakers .

Back Vanillier at 28/1 with Bet365

Cheltenham Gold Cup 3.05pm - Al Boum Photo

Al Boum Photo has been there, done it, and I just think he'll do it again.

I said on this site that I can't believe the lack of fuss around about this horse, he could equal history on Friday! He has been a superstar after looking like he couldn't jump early on and I don't see what beats him. A Plus Tard is a threat, as is Champ, but Al Boum Photo is in great form at home and loves it at Cheltenham. I think he'll be in the form of his life for this and can do it again. I just can't see past him.

Back Al Boum Photo at 9/4 with Paddy Power

Foxhunters Chase 3.40pm - Billaway

This isn't a race I know a whole lot about as the form in this can be tricky unless you follow it closely, but Billaway could be hard to stop.

As gutted as he was about not being allowed to ride him, Patrick Mullins is very keen on this horse and thinks he is in great form. If he has improved after that last run he should take a lot of stopping.

Back Billaway at 3/1 with Bet365

Mares' Chase 4.15pm - Colreevy

Everyone in the yard loves Elimay as she's a cracking little mare, but at the prices I'm just swaying towards Colreevy.

There can be no doubt that Elimay is the one to beat, but Colreevy is a much better mare over fences and can at the very least give her something to think about. She is at least 10-15 pounds better over the bigger obstacles, carries in Grade One winning form and I think she could handle the track better now she has grown up a bit. Paul Townend could get another winner here.

Back Colreevy at 3/1 with Boyles

Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle 4.50pm- Commandingpresence

Henry de Bromhead's horses are running ridiculously well this week as we all know, and Commandingpresence could add another win for him.

28/1 looks a big price as he comes in here fresh and did look talented when winning easily at Punchestown a few months back. He was probably going to win at Limerick when falling and didn't handle the heavy ground last time at all. He has always looked a good ground horse to me and Hugh Morgan is as good a conditional as you will find. Looks overpriced.

Back Commandingpresence at 25/1 with BetVictor