Matchbook’s Daniel Hussey will be here each day of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival with his final tips and selections.
The British came roaring back on Day 3, with the atmosphere getting louder and louder on track.
Competitive racing is what the Cheltenham Festival is all about so while it was a tough punting day, it was good to see things improve in that regard.
Onto a tricky Gold Cup day…
Harry Redknapp an absolute pro on how to watch a race. Delighted for him.
— Daniel Hussey (@DanielHussey2) March 14, 2024
Sir Gino’s withdrawal has opened up this race and there’s a lot with chances.
The one I like Majborough a long way out after his debut run in the Grade 1 Spring Juvenile at the DRF. He shaped like there’s more improvement to come and I think he’ll take a lot of beating.
For the last week, I’ve liked two for this and the last three days have only enhance this view.
Willie Mullins and Dan Skelton have won eight of the last nine renewals of this and I can see Absurbe running a big race for the Closutton team. He ran a solid race at the DRF behind a certain Slade Steel and Ballyburn (how good is that form?), and I think he can improve for a big-field handicap.
L’Eau Du Sud is the other for the British team. He ran a might 2nd in the Betfair Hurdle and I think that is red-hot form. Should go very close.
Readin Tommy Wrong has an obvious chance here. He stayed on best in the Lalors of Naas Hurdle, beating well-fancied stablemate Ile Atlantique and looks like the step up to three miles should suit. He has a decent amount of experience under his belt and should take a bit of beating here.
I’ve changed my mind on this race several times throughout the year but I’ve finally landed on last year’s winner.
Fastorslow is an obvious danger to Galopin Des Champs but I can see the Willie Mullins horse powering up the hill again. Everything seemed to go wrong during the ride last year so, with a more smoother passage, there could still be more improvement. His Leopardstown Christmas win took my breath away.
JP McManus has bought On The Line and Emmet Mullins has described this horse as “his best chance of the week”. I tend to swerve tipping on the Hunters Chase though!
Dinoblue is by far the best of these, with the only concern being the trip. The same questions were asked of Lossiemouth on Tuesday but class ultimately prevailed. I expect the same here. With the ground drying out, this will only help her chance in terms of the trip.
Quia De Bourbon is my first selection here in the lucky last, and I think he has been aimed at this for quite a while. After two runs in France, he made the switch to Willie Mullins and won his maiden hurdle, followed by the Munster Hurdle at Clonmel in January. Off a mark of 140, he goes into the “could be anything” category.
Answer To Kayf is my other selection, and this horse has made a few appearances on the racetrack. I think he’s been progressing well throughout the season, running well in particular at Christmas in Limierick and winning well at Naas last month. I think a mark of 137 underrates his chance and he could go very close.
Win Double: Majborough & Dinoblue
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