Cheltenham Festival 2025 Odds: Tips For Every Race On Day 4

On to Gold Cup day, history waits to be written by Galopin Des Champs, as the star of the Willie Mullins yard bids for a third Gold Cup win in as many years. 

The crowds at Cheltenham this year are down, but Friday at the Festival is always a sell-out, so expect a tremendous atmosphere.

Let’s get straight into the final seven races of the week.

Triumph Hurdle (13:20)

Selection: East India Dock (2/1) - 1pt Win

The clock tells a strong tale with East India Dock. Smart on the level, it has developed quickly into a very talented hurdler. 

The form is in the book and is rightly favourite to take this. It has set a standard that would win most renewals of this race already. 

Lulamba could be anything on what we have seen. Improvement is needed though, and visually you’d be excited for the future after a flashy start to life with Nicky Henderson.

Can it match East India Dock? No doubt in time, but it would have needed another run to get there in time for this. 

The bigger danger might be Hello Neighbour, who could appreciate a really quick test. That is very much on the cards, and whilst the Irish form doesn’t look perhaps as strong, it is feared the most.

County Hurdle (14:00)

Selection 1: Lark In The Mornin (5/1) - 1pt Win
Selection 2: Irish Panther (20/1) - 0/5pts Each-Way

Joseph O’Brien is a brilliant target trainer. He did the job with Lark In The Mornin last year when hacking up in the Fred Winter.

It appears the plan was to come back this year for another prize, whilst only keeping the engine running in between. 

The market is aware and it just looks very likely that the Cheltenham air, the month of March and perhaps the application of cash are the key ingredients to a return to form.

It's the County Hurdle though, and Willie Mullins saddles a few with big claims. Ethical Diamond is perhaps the best of them.

Absurde is the most-backed, which won this race last year, but with Paul Townend now deciding to ride Kargese, expect it to go off shorter than it should.

I will have an additional dart though with Irish Panther, who has some very good form. 

However, some frustrating runs in good company will have many a finger burnt. The recent switch to new connections has seen some proper efforts in big fields, which suggests a turn for this remarkable maiden is coming soon. 

Not always been the strongest finisher, but off this weight and with 7lbs off from the pilot, this could see them feel very light up the hill.

Mares' Chase (14:40)

Selection: Dinoblue (Evens) - 1pt Win

Dinoblue really didn’t get the ride of the week last year in this race, when just coming up short on the run-in to Limerick Lace in a JP McManus 1-2. 

Mark Walsh will not want to leave it behind again. She arrives in good nick and whilst a recent run with Allegorie De Vassy would suggest she has a fight on her hands with her, it is probably last year's winner and Brides Hill that will provide the biggest scare for favourite backers.

Limerick Lace hasn’t been in great form, but could easily bounce back, whilst Brides Hill has been lined up quietly and should be peaking for Cromwell and Keith Donoghue. 

That said, if the classy Dinoblue is sent on to win the race, rather than ridden to pick it up this time, it should have them all in trouble.

Albert Bartlett Hurdle (15:20)

Selection: Jasmin De Vaux (8/1) - 1pt Each-Way

The connections of The Big Westerner must be delighted that several high profile rivals have run elsewhere this week. 

Related to Stay Away Fay, who won this race a couple of years ago, she looks made for the job and comes into the contest with solid graded form and a big reputation to keep intact.

I like Jasmin De Vaux at the prices. The reputation here has been tarnished since winning the bumper last season at the Festival and looked set for big things.

A workmanlike win on debut over hurdles was followed by two poor rounds of jumping in graded company, but there was hope last time that perhaps it’s just a stretch out in trip.

More time to get over them that is needed and here we are, back with Paul Townend and a race that should suit well.

These two really do look the standout contenders and Jasmin is overpriced.

Gold Cup (16:00)

Selection: Galopin Des Champs - No Bet Advised - 1-2 

The Gold Cup is robbed of a proper competitive contest this year, and that’s down to the level Galopin Des Champs sets so consistently.

Even the old adage of never be afraid of one horse doesn’t inspire trainers and connections to roll the dice. 

The Ryanair took Il Est Francais, Fact To File, Protektorat, and absent horses this week include Spillane’s Tower, Gerri Colombe, Fastorslow, I Am Maximus and Hewick. It’s testament to the reigning champ that in most cases, they just don’t think it’s worth it.

Hopefully he get’s the third victory, but despite missing some viable runners, Banbridge - the King George winner - Inothewayurthinkin, supplemented to run recently, Monty’s Star and Corbetts Cross set new challenges that still need to be overcome.

Overcome they should be. Galopin Des Champs just doesn’t seem to misfire, and whilst some of this week's big favourites have missed a beat, it just never seems to happen to this fella. A proper, proper horse.

Foxhunters Chase (16:40)

Selection: No Bet Advised

Always a great spectacle, it's hard to know what might be in here, but It’s On The Line, second the last two renewals of the race, is surely likely to figure again. 

The springer is Willitgoahead, who has just joined Gordon Elliott recently.

Then there is Angels Dawn, a former Kim Muir winner, who is completing the current top of the market. 

Good luck if getting involved.

The Martin Pipe Hurdle (17:20)

Selection: Taponthego (10/1) - 1pt Each-Way

There is every chance nothing has a chance in this bar Kopeck De Mee. It seems the dogs were barking for this before it had even been registered with Mullins, and this is a debut for the yard after some smart French form. 

It’s too short, and it might win, but you have to try to take it on - if you weren’t already given the nod and got the target right with an ante-post bet at a more realistic price.

Taponthego is likely to get back to better form now that it has returned to this trip after both starts since the turn of the year were at the minimum two miles. 

They seem to have been readying for just this target. It should be all systems go and the jockey has had a spin on him already. There is lots to like about the chances of getting heavily involved.

Wodhooh is a remarkable type, won a sixth race on the bounce when taking a good race here in December and has been off since. 

The form has worked out and the handicapper probably hasn’t got to the level yet, and she surely merits respect.

East India Express and Nurse Susan look the best of the home team, but if Kopeck De Mee is as well handicapped as the people who think they know say that it is, then it’s goodbye from him and it’s goodbye from me.

Hope you have all enjoyed the racing week at Cheltenham, only around 360 days to go until we do it all again!