Cheltenham Day 4 Tips - Gold Cup Day
Cheltenham Racecourse Tips & Predictions
Friday at the Cheltenham Festival is arguably the most anticipated of the four days of horse racing, as the featured race of the Cheltenham Gold Cup is the best-known of the whole event, and is a highlight of the national hunt season. Cheltenham Festival day 4 also presents the last opportunity for seasoned bettors to try and turn a profit, and also generates interest from the less-experienced members of the public who are looking to have a flutter based on the latest Gold Cup odds.
The New Course plays host to several of the biggest races at the festival throughout day 4, including the Triumph Hurdle, County Hurdle, Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, Hunters’ Chase, Mares’ Chase, and the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle. However, these are all dwarfed by the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the most famous race of the festival, and the showpiece event on the final day.
County Hurdle Tips & Predictions
The County Hurdle Betting Tips
The County Hurdle is open to horses aged five years or older and is a Grade 3 race that takes place on the final day of Cheltenham.
Get your eggs in a row ahead of the race and find the best County Hurdle betting tips! Whether finding expert insight from legends of the sport or compiling tips through independent research, preparing properly is the best method of ensuring an enjoyable and exciting festival.
14.10 - BetMGM County Handicap Hurdle (2m 1f)
Dan Skelton & Willie Mullins have dominated this race in recent years, but this year could see a change, and it may be Paul Nicholls who wins the County Hurdle. Afadil came into the season looking very well handicapped, after ending last season with an impressive win. It’s taken a while for him to get going this season, but he looked back to his best last time out at Musselburgh, and could run a big race here.
Understanding County Hurdle Tips
The Cheltenham Festival hosted the first-ever County Hurdle in 1920. For years, it was the curtain closer to the event. However, a re-jigging of the order in 2009 means it is now scheduled for 2.10 pm on 17th March.
A sharp contest over 2 miles and 1 furlong with 20+ entrants, the County Hurdle has been popular for the bigger-priced winners over the years, unsurprisingly, given the number of runners in the field.
A clear run around the course and fleet-of-footedness away from the jumps are essential to success in this race.
Top County Hurdle Contenders
At the time of writing, King of Kingsfield heads the betting in the County Hurdle, while Iberico Lord and Absurde are second and third favourites, respectively.
The Gordon Elliott-trained King of Kingsfield was a 12/1 outsider in the recent Tattersalls Ireland 50th Derby Sale Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown on 4th February but was bested by Ballyburn and Slade Steel, who will be racing elsewhere at the Cheltenham Festival. The horse may run in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle which would be a step too far for the horse in our opinion. However, it should find that this Premier Handicap suits the horse well.
As it stands, over 80 horses are still entered into the race, so it could be well worth waiting until Sunday before making a bet.
County Hurdle Betting Tips
How can County Hurdle betting tips best be followed up?
Win Bet Pick the winner and get paid out at the respective odds if it wins.
Each Way Bet Two bets - one half of the total stake used for the Win Part of the bet and the other used for the Place Part. If the horse finishes second, the Place Part will return winnings according to the predefined odds calculation.
Place Bet The total stake is placed on the horse to finish in the places. You will not be paid out at the winning odds if it wins.
Strategies for Betting on the County Hurdle There are several valuable approaches to give yourself the best chance of returning from Cheltenham with a profit!
Assessing the Form of the Horses Has it been on a winning run? How does the form match up to its rivals? Have any of the rivals it has faced in previous races gone on to beat anything of note? These are all essential considerations when painting the picture of a horse in form.
Identifying the Value Bets Use the horse's form to locate the best bets. If a horse has won five times in a row and the form holds up, but it is still priced in double figures, this could represent excellent value.
Bankroll Management Set limits to your losses before the festival to ensure a fun and safe experience!
Factors to Consider When Placing a Bet All of these factors could also fall under your betting strategy:
Ground Conditions There are seven types of ground classifications in the UK horse racing sphere. Your horse may have past form that indicates a preference for the ground. For example, if your horse is built for tests of stamina, softer/heavier turf will suit them more due to the energy-sapping nature of having more give in the ground.
The seven classifications of ground for turf racecourses are as follows:
- Hard
- Firm
- Good to firm
- Good
- Good to soft
- Soft
- Heavy
Weight Carried by the Horse
Does the handicapper fairly attribute weight to the horse? If your fancy has absolutely bolted up to victory in previous races, it may be hit hard by the handicapper in the weights. Do your research to ensure the weighting is fair with respect to its rivals.
Jockey's Riding Style
If you know your horse gets going late down the straight, checking out the jockey's riding style may be helpful. For example, some riders are experts in biding their time and producing their horses late in the day. The pairing between man and beast is a vital consideration.
County Hurdle Tips Trends and Statistics
Historical Trends and Statistics
This is not a race where the favourite thrives, with just two of the previous 14 County Hurdle winners going off as favourites.
The lighter, the better. In 11 of the previous 14 runnings of this race, the winning horse carried 11 st 1 lb or less.
The fountain of youth springs eternal in the County Hurdle, with 11 of the previous 14 winners aged five or six.
Whether you believe in stats and trends or prefer to go with your heart, trends and statistics help to paint a picture of what sort of race to expect.
It should be a cracking renewal of the County Hurdle in what will be an open affair. It's devilish work trying to find a winner, but if we were forced to pick a winner, Pembroke could be worth a second look. Trainer Dan Skelton is bullish on his chances.
County Hurdle FAQs
When is the County Hurdle?
The County Hurdle takes place at 2.10 pm on Friday, 15th March.
Who is the Favourite to Win the 2024 Renewal?
The current favourite to win the County Hurdle is Kings Of Kingsfield
Who Won the 2023 Renewal of the County Hurdle?
The Dan Skelton-trained Faivoir came through the field to win as 33/1. Outsiders winning this race isn't a rarity with over 20 runners in most years.
What is the Distance of the County Hurdle?
The sharp 2-mile 179y course will likely ensure plenty of pace from the beginning.
Who is the Most Successful Trainer in the County Hurdle?
Cheltenham Festival titan Willie Mullins has won the renewal of this race six times — Thousand Stars (2010), Final Approach (2011), Wicklow Brave (2015), Arctic Fire (2017), Saint Roi (2020) & State Man (2022).
Hunters Chase Tips & Predictions
Hunters Chase Tips
On Day 4 of the Cheltenham Festival, we have the St James's Place Festival Hunters' Chase. This race is run under National Hunt rules for amateur riders with horses aged five or older. The race is run over a distance of 3 miles, 2 furlongs and 70 yards on the Cheltenham New course, which is the same course as most races at the event. In this race, riders must overcome 22 fences and is similar to the Cheltenham Gold Cup which is arguably the main event of the entire festival. Known as the 'amateur Gold Cup' and amateur riders that go onto ride a winning in this race could secure the biggest win of their career. Until 2020, this race was known as the St James's Place Foxhunters Chase. However, the name was changed with Fox removed from the name in 2021.
In regards to the use of amateur riders, there has been one exception to the rule as in 2021 professional jockeys ran in the race due to health worries in the United Kingdom at the time.
16:10 -St. James's Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase (3m2½f)
Last year's runner up Its On The Line looks to go one better than year, and he will be doing it in the famous green and gold colours of JP McManus, having been bought by him recently. He has been in fine form this season, winning on all three of his starts, and beating Ferns Lock, who is prominent in the betting for this race.
Hunters Chase tips are vital to any bettor who wishes to win a bet on the race as most punters won't recognize many of the jockeys and riders. As the fifth race of the final day, this is one of the lesser-known races out of the Cheltenham Festival races. However, to qualify for the race, horses' must have either won or finished runner-up in two Hunter Chase events, have won two open point-to-point races or have won one of both.
- Most Successful Horse: Nine Horses (2 wins)
- Most Successful Jockey: Colman Sweeney - 3 Wins - Sleeping Night (2005), Salsify (2012, 2013)
- Most Successful Trainer: Richard Barber & Paul Nicholls (4 wins)
Richard Barber and Paul Nicholls share the accolade for the highest joint winning most trainer in the world with Richard Barber's wins coming from Rushing Wild, Fantus and Earthmover between 1992 and 1998 and Paul Nicholls winners coming from Earthmover, Sleeping Night and Pacha du Polder between 2004 and 2018.
Last year, Billaway won the 2022 Foxhunter Chase Challenge Cup with Winged Leader and Mighty Stowaway finishing second and third respectively. It was the first hunter chase victory for Willie Mullins and it wouldn't surprise us if Mullins sought after most Hunter Chases in the future.
Tips for winning the Hunters Chase
It is still unconfirmed which horses will run in the 2024 Hunters Chase but we have picked a horse in the Ante Post betting that we think might look good in the running, they are:
Billaway - An almost guaranteed runner in this race, Billaway sits at 7/1 in the ante post betting odds (subject to change) and in it's 24 chase races, it has finished in the each way positions on 20 occasions. If Mr Reliable was a horse, it'd be Billaway. Of course, the horse isn't perfect, if it was, it wouldn't be 7/1 but with 10 top two finishes in the last 12 races, the 12-year old Billaway certainly hasn't let age get in the way.
What markets are best for tips on the Hunters Chase?
For most races you'll find that horse racing betting odds appear best for the winner market, the odds are higher and it is less complicated than other markets. For example, you may find betting odds that feature the forecast and tricast bet type, this is where you'll find the biggest odds but you'll also find that the best odds are due to the fact that you need to back the winner, the runner-up and even the third place horse in some scenarios. Bare in mind how difficult it is to pick a winner at the Cheltenham Festival, picking the second and third-place horses is near enough impossible.
So, this leaves the betting market that we believe is the best for betting on the festival and this is the Each Way betting market which pays out if a horse finishes in the top three of the race. However, if the horse finishes second or third, it will find it's odds dramatically reduced and may only pay out at 1/5 odds. You can find how each betting operator divides their each-way odds by checking out their sportsbook, for example, for each race, you'll be able to find how BetUK divides it's each-way odds on each race.
Tips for Each way betting on the Hunters Chase
With the Hunters Chase being a race where jockeys are virtually unknown to the average bettor, it is important to look at the performances of horses in similar environments. For example, if you're looking at a horse who has historically come within the top three on the same course, has a good record at the Cheltenham Festival and has traditionally been in the running for the top three places, you may look to place an each way bet on that horse no matter its odds. However, be wary of bets like this as a horse may be up against a higher caliber of opponent than it is used to facing and that may be why you find better odds than you may expect. So, in conclusion, these are our three tips for betting each way on the Hunters Chase.
Evaluate the field, don't just look at the top 5 horses.
Do your research on the performances of a horse and where they've raced
Have you heard of the Amateur jockey? How has he performed recently?
Hunters Chase FAQs
Who won the 2023 Hunters Chase?
Premier Magic won the 2023 rendition of the Hunters Chasefor Bradley Gibbs who was trainer and jockey for the horse.
What time is the 2024 Hunters Chase?
The 2024 Hunters Chase begins at 16:10 on the Friday 15th March.
Are the Hunters Chase and the Foxhunters Chase the same race?
Yes! This race was formerly known as the Foxhunters Chase until 2021 when they changed the name of the race to just the Hunters Chase.
How do you qualify for the Hunters Chase?
There are only a small number of ways that horses can qualify for the Hunters Chase, they must meet one of the following criteria.
- Finished first or second twice in Hunter Chases.
- Won two open point-to-point races.
- Won one point-to-point race and finished in the top two of a Hunter Chase event.
The Cheltenham Festival heads into its final day after three days of scintillating action.
The card runs from 13.30-17:30 and includes three Grade 1s, the Triumph Hurdle (13.30), the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (14.50 and the Gold Cup itself (15.30)
We've assessed the action across the card on Friday at Cheltenham and picked out our best bets.
13:30 -JCB Triumph Hurdle (2m 1f)
With serious question marks over Nicky Henderson’s stable, it’d be difficult to back Sir Gino at short odds, so it’s best to look elsewhere and it may not be all bad for the owners of Sir Gino as the Triumph winner could be their other runner, Salvator Mundi. We have yet to see him run in the UK or Ireland, and his only run was when he finished just under two lengths behind Sir Gino at Auteuil last April. No juvenile has really stood out from the Mullins team this year, and although he is a bit of an unknown, he is worth taking a chance on.
14.10 - BetMGM County Handicap Hurdle (2m 1f)
Dan Skelton & Willie Mullins have dominated this race in recent years, but this year could see a change, and it may be Paul Nicholls who wins the County Hurdle. Afadil came into the season looking very well handicapped, after ending last season with an impressive win. It’s taken a while for him to get going this season, but he looked back to his best last time out at Musselburgh, and could run a big race here.
14:50 - Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1, 3m)
Dancing City won the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival, and whilst that race has not produced any winners of the Albert Bartlett, it looked a good renewal this year; he could be the one to break the trend. He was the outsider of the field but he looked so much better stepping up in trip and saw off his rivals easily.
15.30 - Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (Grade 1, 3m2½f)
Winning back-to-back Gold Cups is no easy task, but it’s hard to see anything else but Galopin Des Champs retaining his crown. He’s coming in with better form than he did last year, with two superb performances in the Savills Chase and the Irish Gold Cup. He managed to beat Fastorslow in the Irish Gold Cup, which would have been a huge boost for connections, having been beaten by him twice in the last year.
16:10 -St. James's Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase (3m2½f)
Last year's runner up Its On The Line looks to go one better than year, and he will be doing it in the famous green and gold colours of JP McManus, having been bought by him recently. He has been in fine form this season, winning on all three of his starts, and beating Ferns Lock, who is prominent in the betting for this race.
16.50 - Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase (Grade 2, 2m4½f)
Dinoblue will go off favourite, and it's hard seeing anything else beat her. She’s been in mighty form this year, beating the likes of Fill Dor, Saint Roi & Gentleman De Mee, with her only defeat coming to El Fabiolo. The only slight question mark around her is the trip, having only run over this distance once in a hurdle race where she finished fourth, but she finishes her races off well, and an extra half-mile should not be an issue.
17:30 - Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle (2m4½f)
The final race of the meeting is always competitive and usually favours progressive types. Better Days Ahead has been running well behind some good novice hurdlers, and looks well handicapped here on a mark of 140. He will be ridden by Danny Gilligan, who is one of the best conditional jockeys around, and that boosts his chances.
About Cheltenham Day 4
Day 4 at Cheltenham is the one that really draws the crowds, with over 60,000 people expected to be in attendance at the racecourse itself. However, millions more will tune in to watch the races on television, and to place Cheltenham day 4 bets online. The highlight is undoubtedly the Gold Cup, which is what draws most of the focus across the day, as the “greatest show on turf” comes to an end.
These days, all races on day 4 are run on Cheltenham’s New Course, which takes a battering as multiple horses compete in the different feats of endurance. In fact, the races on day 4 are designed to test the competitor’s stamina, especially on the run-in that takes a steeper gradient up Cheltenham hill. As such, things can change right at the last, which adds to the excitement, intrigue, and anticipation on the final day of the festival.
2023 Cheltenham Day 4 Preview
WHEN: Friday 15th March 2024
WHERE: Cheltenham Racecourse, Prestbury Park - New Course
- 13:30: Triumph Hurdle
- 14:10: County Hurdle
- 14:50: Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
- 15:30: Cheltenham Gold Cup
- 16:10: Hunters’ Chase
- 16:50: Mares’ Chase
- 17:30: Martin Pipe Hurdle
Day 4 Cheltenham Festival Tips 2024
Let’s take a look at some of the trends for the 2024 festival and Cheltenham day 4 tips based on previous results in recent years.
Cheltenham Festival Day 4 Tips - Triumph Hurdle
The Triumph Hurdle is the first race of the 4th day at Cheltenham, contested over a distance of 2 miles and 1 furlong, and is a Grade 1 hurdles race for horses that are aged four. When it comes to the last three winners, Paul Townend won the race in 2020 and 2022, riding Burning Victory and Vauban respectively, while Rachael Blackmore and Quilixios tasted victory in the 2021 running.
It’s worth noting that in recent history, a mixture of favourites and short-priced horses have generally won this race, with longer-odds outsiders not troubling very often.
Day 4 Cheltenham Tips - County Hurdle
The County Hurdle is open to horses aged five and older, and is a Grade 3 race run over 2 miles and 1 furlong, with eight hurdles to clear in total. State Man won in 2022, ridden by Paul Townend, while Belfast Banter and Kevin Sexton claimed the win in 2021.
Recent trends have seen horses with a price in the double digits coming out on top, with the aforementioned Belfast Banter being priced at 33/1. In that same vein, the favourite has won only two of the past 10 renewals, meaning there could be value in looking further afield.
Cheltenham Festival Day 4 Tips - Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
The Novices’ Hurdle on day 4 of Cheltenham is a Grade 1 race open to horses four years old and above, where they have to navigate 12 hurdles over a distance of 3 miles. The Nice Guy was piloted by Sean O’Keeffe to lead the field in 2022’s race, while Mark Walsh rode Vanillier to a win in 2021.
Day 4 Festival Tips - Cheltenham Gold Cup
The Gold Cup is the main race of not only the final day, but also of the entire Cheltenham Festival. As one of the most famous steeplechases in the world, it’s little wonder why so many people look to place bets on the Gold Cup each year. There are also, understandably, a lot of differing opinions about which horses have the potential to join the likes of 2022’s A Plus Tard, 2021’s Minella Indo, and 2020 and 2019 winner Al Boum Photo in the annals of history.
Arguably the most prestigious jumps race in the world, this is one of the events where the favourites or those with shorter odds do generally dominate, meaning that current favourite Galopin Des Champs could be worth the backing.
Cheltenham Festival Day 4 Tips - Hunters’ Chase
The Hunters’ Chase consists of 22 fences across a distance of 3 miles and 2.5 furlongs, consisting of horses that are five years or older, and only open to amateur jockeys. It’s sometimes informally known as the “Amateur’s Gold Cup” due to being run across the same distance and course. Recent winners include Billaway in 2022 and Porlock Bay in 2021.
When it comes to trends, this is an unpredictable race when it comes to simply looking at the favourites, with a broad spectrum between the price of winners. 2020’s 66/1 winner It Came To Pass and 2016’s 13/8 victor On The Fringe further highlight how up in the air the result is.
Cheltenham Day 4 Tips - Mares’ Chase
The Mares’ chase has only been in existence since 2021, but it’s a Grade 2 across 2 miles and 4 furlongs with a total of 17 fences that serves as the penultimate race. It’s open to female horses aged five or older, and previous winners include Elimay, who was ridden by Mark Walsh in the 2022 renewal, and Colreevy, ridden by Paul Townend in 2021.
Given that it’s such a new race, the trend analysis for the Mares’ Chase isn’t exactly extensive. However, it could be of note to learn that both previous winners were trained by Willie Mullins and that both were 8 years old at the time of winning.
Day 4 Cheltenham Festival Tips - Martin Pipe Hurdle
The Martin Pipe Hurdle is the race that brings down the curtain on the 2023 Cheltenham Festival. It features nine hurdles across a 2 mile and 4.5 furlong stretch of track, and is open to horses aged four years and above. Banbridge in 2022, Galopin Des Champs in 2021, and Indefatigable in 2020 are all previous winners.
Cheltenham Festival Day 4 FAQs
Here, we answer some of the most burning questions people have about the final day of the Cheltenham Festival 2023.
When Did Cheltenham Change to 4 Days?
Up until 2005, the Cheltenham Festival lasted just three days, but it was extended to four to provide more opportunities for fantastic horse racing action and to increase the spectacle of the event.
Is the Cheltenham Festival 5 Days?
No, the Cheltenham Festival takes place across 4 days, with Friday’s races bringing a close to the action. Day 4 plays host to seven races, culminating with the Martin Pipe Hurdle.
Who Are the Most Successful Cheltenham Day 4 Trainers?
Big names in the world of horse racing, such as Willie Mullins, Paul Nicholls, Henry de Bromhead, and Nicky Henderson are among the most successful trainers at Cheltenham, particularly on Gold Cup day.
Which Horses Are Running on the 4th Day of the Cheltenham Festival?
The exact horses running in each race of this year’s festival will be confirmed on the day of the event. However, ante-post horse racing betting markets make a best guess of the potential horses that may be considered to compete.
Who Are the Current Favourite Horses to Win on Cheltenham Gold Cup Day?
You can find the current favourites for each race listed within the Cheltenham Festival betting pages of our sportsbook. Please note that these are subject to change.
Where Can I Find Day 4 Cheltenham Horse Racing Tips?
You can find Cheltenham tips for every race right here at BetUK, including Friday tips for the Gold Cup, Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle, the Spa Novices Hurdle, and more of the biggest national hunt races in the UK.
What is the First Race on the Final Day of the Cheltenham Festival 2024?
The first race on day 4 of Cheltenham is the Grade 1 Triumph Hurdle, which has been run at the festival since 1968.
What is the Last Race on the Final Day of the Cheltenham Festival 2024?
The closing race of the day is the Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle, which was established in 2009.
What is the Big Race on the Final Day of the Cheltenham Festival 2024?
The biggest race on the final day is undoubtedly the Grade 1 Cheltenham Gold Cup, which is the second-most wagered-on race in the UK, behind the Grand National. Past winners include A Plus Tard, who was ridden by Rachael Blackmore and trained by Henry de Bromhead.
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