Al Boum Photo looks to make history in Cheltenham Gold Cup

The fourth and final day of this year’s meeting is finally upon us and the meeting’s feature race, the £625,000 WellChild Cheltenham Gold Cup takes centre-stage as Al Boum Photo looks to etch his name into sporting folklore with a third successive win in Jump Racing’s Blue Riband event.

However, he faces a number of interesting rivals in his bid for glory with the likes of Champ, A Plus Tard and Royale Pagaille in opposition.

We have previewed the action with our race by race guide to the final day of the 2021 Cheltenham Festival.

1.20pm Grade One JCB Triumph Hurdle

Zanahiyr has looked a potential superstar in three starts in Ireland and is hard to oppose. However, Tritonic was a talented horse on the Flat and has done the business in smart fashion in two starts over timber.

A narrow winner at Ascot on his hurdling bow, he was very impressive at Kempton in the Adonis Hurdle. Cheltenham should arguably play to his strengths with a stiffer finish and he gets the vote in the opener.

Selection: Tritonic 2/1

1.55pm County Hurdle

Dan Skelton has won this competitive handicap three times in recent years and has an interesting contender in Third Time Lucki. He was arguably disappointing at Musselburgh last time out, but he does look well-handicapped off a mark of 143. At a bigger price,

Edwardstone is a top-class hurdler on his day and shaped well in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury last time out. He has solid form at Cheltenham and is of interest.

Selection: Edwardstone 16/1

2.30pm Grade One Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle

Barbados Buck’s has progressed rapidly this term and is unbeaten in his last three starts for Paul Nicholls. He is an out and out stayer so looks sure to go close, but Stattler has been crying out for this trip. He boasts stamina-laden credentials and should go well in the three-mile event.

Selection: Stattler 4/1

3.05pm Grade One WellChild Cheltenham Gold Cup

The highlight of the meeting sees Al Boum Photo attempt to become the second horse this century to win three successive renewals of Jump Racing’s Blue Riband event. He warmed up for this event in customary fashion with success at Tramore on New Year’s Day and his profile highlights what a solid proposition he is.

The list of dangers are headed by Champ who returned to action with an excellent second over an inadequate trip at Newbury last month. A Plus Tard and Minella Indo represent Henry de Bromhead, whilst Royale Pagaille takes in the Gold Cup having won the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock last time out.

Others in the contest include last season’s second and third Santini and Lostintranslation as well as 2018 winner Native River However, Al Boum Photo is such a solid contender and can make history in the feature.

Selection: Al Boum Photo 5/2

3.40pm Foxhunters’ Chase

Stand Up And Fight looks overpriced here. He beat Billaway earlier this evening shaped with promise when second on his latest start. Things have not gone to plan for last year’s winner It Came To Pass this term and our selection looks overpriced.

Selection: Stand Up And Fight 14/1

4.15pm Mares’ Chase

A new race at this year’s Cheltenham Festival. Willie Mullins looks to have a leading player here with Elimay. She shaped with promise when second to Allaho at Thurles last time out and has since gone on to win easily at Naas. She looks the class angle in the race and makes plenty of appeal here.

Selection: Elimay 6/4

4.50pm Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle

The final race of the meeting and one in which Willie Mullins could have a big say once again. Gentleman De Mee was a facile winner of his first start for the Closutton maestro at Naas and looks attractively handicapped off a mark of 139.

Selection: Gentleman De Mee 5/1

Tips and analysis via Betting Expert