Matchbook’s Daniel Hussey will be here each day of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival with his final tips and selections.
Willie Mullins continued his domination on Wednesday, albeit El Fabiolo’s mistake cost him the four-fold. That left the door open for Captain Guinness, who won for Rachael Blackmore, and Henry De Bromhead, two great ambassadors for our sport.
A couple of nice-priced winners tipped yesterday, on we go to Thursday.
Captain Guinness has his day in the sun.
Hopefully El Fabiolo and Edwardstone are ok but I am thrilled for Henry De Bromhead.
He deserves this ❤️❤️
— Daniel Hussey (@DanielHussey2) March 13, 2024
Having initially been against Facile Vega in this, it’s just so hard not to tip a Willie Mullins horse vs a field like this. The Irish Arkle form is fine, given Found A Fifty and Il Etait Temps’ runs on Tuesday, and the step up in trip will surely bring out some improvement. He has an excellent Cheltenham Festival record and should take all the beating.
Iroko would be the main danger, given how well he jumped on his chasing debut.
Matt Tombs has been sweet on Gabbys Cross all season, and I’m struggling to disagree. This is a horse that went chasing, but I think he is a far better hurdler. Given his mark of 140 over fences vs 127 over hurdles, he could be very well-handicapped in this. The Henry DeBromhead horses have been absolutely firing too.
Dan Skelton got off the board at the Festival with Langer Dan and Unexpected Party duly obliging for a quick-fire double yesterday. I think he could go close with Le Milos. He was a well-backed Coral Gold Cup winner in 2022 and qualified for this back in November. He was given a quiet ride on his prep run in Ascot last month (dropped 4 lbs!!!!), and that’ll set him up well here.
I’ve been back and forth on Ryanair throughout the season, but it’s hard to get away with the most solid horse in the race, Envoi Allen.
He won this well last year and goes particularly well fresh. His age of 10 would be a small concern, but he’s lightly raced and loves the Cheltenham Festival. Henry factor too.
Teahupoo sets a standard here and is a worthy favourite. His run last year won’t be good enough but he has been kept fresh this time around and that’ll only help his cause.
However, I’m taking a chance on Sir Gerhard at the prices. A former novice hurdle winner at the Festival, he is definitely the classiest horse in the race but hasn’t been without his problems. There is a question mark over the trip, but both times he has tried three miles is over fences, and he’s a better hurdler. I’m getting Nichols Canyon vibes (2017 Stayers winner) off him here, and there’s nobody better than Willie Mullins.
Looking through this race again. Theatre Man looks like the one to beat. He ran a great races at the same track behind Ginny’s Destiny (who runs in the Turners today) and that looks red-hot form. He’s been well found in the market but off a mark of 137, he looks the most likely winner.
The second one I’m taking a flyer on is Arctic Bresil. This was a novice hurdler who took a while to get going, pulling up in last season’s Tolworth. He’s been slow to get going over fences this season, but I think he’s been gradually improving in okay Novice Chases. He makes his handicap debut here and, like all of Henry’s, I can see him improving significantly for Cheltenham.
It’s easy to buy into Cheltenham Preview Night hype, but how Gordon Elliott talks about Brighterdaysahead needs to be factored in. Outside of her being visually impressive, the clock has backed up her performances and with her appreciating the stiffer test of stamina compared to her rivals, she should take the world of beating.
Look, it’s hard not to like the chances of Inothewayurthinkin, but there are probably enough reasons to be against him at the prices.
I’m plucking for the more solid selection of Cool Survivor for Gordon Elliott. Jockey bookings are vital in this race and Harry Swan is a more than capable pilot. This horse has been aimed at this race all season and hopefully, can go close.
My Henry De Bromhead love-in continues in this race as he saddles two. Amirite isn’t without a chance, but I’m siding with Whacker Clan. His form beating Twig 3L has been franked in the Ultima, and he was given a prep for this over hurdles last month. I expect a big run.
Win Double: Envoi Allen & Brighterdaysahead
Win/Place Double: Gabby’s Cross & Arctic Bresil
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