Who To Follow On Day Four Of The 2023 Cheltenham Festival

James Mackie | @jamesmackieee

Fri 17 Mar 2023 13.34

Cheltenham 15:30

Galopin Des Champs

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

N/A

Age: 7

Weight: 11-10

OR: 173

Days: 41

From what this gelding has shown so far he has got the lot, he jumps incredibly, he has pace to get away from the field but he has also has shown stamina being a three mile Grade One winner over hurdles.

He should be unbeaten over fences if it wasn’t for that freak fall in the Turners last year, his two wins at Leopardstown last season were breath taking especially in Grade One company at the DRF and then he finished last season by landing the Gold Cup Novice Chase at Fairyhouse.

On his seasonal debut this season he showed us he settled better, jumped more economically and just looked gagging for a step in trip when making a mockery of the Grade One John Durkan Chase field.

Sent to the DRF for a second year he was a powerful winner of the Grade One Irish Cup beating Stattler by 8 lengths and he just looks the class horse in the field.

The further he goes the better he will be in our opinion and although short we can’t even find anything to take him on with because he is just a superstar.

Form: 1F111View

Date	Course	Distance	Type	Weight	Position
17/03/23	CHL	26.5	Sft	11-10	1
04/02/23	LEO	24	Y	11-10	1
19/12/22	PUN	20	Sft	11-10	1
17/04/22	FAI	20	Y	11-10	1
17/03/22	CHL	20	Sft	11-4	F

Willie Mullins has not has the greatest festival to date by his standards but on the final day of the meeting has some big chances to finish strong.

In the opener Mullins has the top four in the market whilst also having a fair few other runners, with his best chances looking to be Lossiemouth and Blood Destiny.

In the County Hurdle he could have another Graded horse in a handicap having landed the race last year with State Man and this year Hunters Yarn has every chance.

Mullins then has a few chances in the Albert Bartlett with Embassy Gardens, Seabank Bistro and Shanbally Kid looking his best chances to land back to back renewals.

Galopin Des Champs is Mullins big runner of the afternoon in the Gold Cup looking to land the race for a third time in the last five years, he also fields Stattler who will stay all day.

Last years winner of the Hunters' Chase Billaway is back looking to win back to back renewals for the yard and then in the Mares Chase Allegorie De Vassy, Elimay and Dolcita are all live players.

Finally, in the Martin Pipe, the Closutton maestro has the favourite Spanish Harlem aswell as Haxo and Saylavee.

Mark Walsh could have a big day on Friday from the look of some his rides starting in the Triumph where Zenta has a big chance to pick up some place money.

In the County Hurdle Betfair Hurdle second Filey Bay looks to have a big chance going up 8lb and could have more off 141.

Walsh then rides the favourite in the Albert Bartlett with Corbett's Cross being bought by JP McManus and will love the step back up to three miles.

The experienced rider then gets the leg up on 2021 winner of the Gold Cup Minella Indo who was second in the race last year and is now getting to a big each way price.

Last years winner Elimay will be looking to land back to back renewals of the Mares Chase looking to make it 3/3 for Willie Mullins in the race.