Ginger Joe's Cheltenham 2023 Early Picks Day 4

Welcome to the final part of my Cheltenham Early Picks series

As we approach the final hurdle, metaphorically-speaking, we are going to be treated to some unbelievable action to close out the 2023 Cheltenham Festival. Today, my races of choice are The Triumph Hurdle, The Albert Bartlett, The Gold Cup and finally, the Mares’ Chase. All races that are dear to my heart and the target of some decent punts.

My chosen bookie for Cheltenham Day 4

13.30: The JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 1f

The Triumph Hurdle is always one of my favourite races of the week and this year is no different. In terms of prices, there’s little to choose between Lossiemouth and Blood Destiny who are still fighting it out at the top of the market. Currently priced at 7/4 and 13/8 respectively.

Not only are they neck and neck in the market, I honestly think this could turn into a two-horse race. That’s despite Lossiemouth facing defeat at the hands of stablemate Gala Marceau last time out, when they met at Leopardstown. However, if I was forced to choose at this moment, then I would say Lossiemouth has been the talking horse since being purchased from France.

She battled very well last time out, after hitting one hard and being shuffled way back in the field. Despite that error she still managed to close the gap on the winner. Generally, her jumping has been fast and slick and I think going to Cheltenham she could well be the one to beat.

14.50: The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 3m

The Albert Bartlett has been looking a right puzzle this year and anyone who has followed my Ante Post selections will be sitting on a 40/1 ticket for Absolute Notions who has been well supported since.

However, news came out yesterday stating he could well go straight to Aintree and skip Cheltenham this year, which would be a massive disappointment all round. He cost a fortune and showed he has a good engine by finishing second in the Nathaniel Lacey and I’m really hoping they decide to come here, but it’s looking doubtful now.

Looking at the alternatives, with the ground likely to go soft, Three Card Brag could be really hard to beat, and I think he is a cracking bet at 7/1. Or there’s Montys Star, who is another horse I’ve really taken to since his win last time out. He’s a proper gutsy type who looks like he will stay all day. He shouldn’t be too far away either at 14/1.

Cheltenham Bookies

Ready to Race

15.30: The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (Grade 1) 3m 2f

The Cheltenham Gold Cup is undeniably the highlight race of the entire Festival and now is the moment where we find out if current 5/4 Favourite Galopin Des Champs has what it takes to knock 2022 winner, A Plus Tard, off his pedestal.

This is also where we find out if Willie Mullins has made a good call and Galopin Des Champs can cut it over this longer trip against previous Gold Cup winners. I personally think he can stay the distance, but I do have concerns about how he’ll handle the Cheltenham hill and I think he will be vulnerable to a stronger finisher. By no means do I think he's a lay, but at 5/4 he has to be worth taking on.

I still like last year’s winner, A Plus Tard, even though he hasn’t had the most straightforward campaign this time around. However, he is a weapon and has a deadly turn of foot, as we all witnessed last year. I’m still on the fence at the moment regarding my final selections here, but  I’ll most likely be taking on the Favourite. Whatever happens, this is definitely going to be an unmissable race.

16.50: The Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase (Grade 2) 2m 4f

For the Mares Chase, I’m very sweet on Impervious, who has recently been purchased by JP McManus. She is another selection from my ante post book, advised at 14/1, but that’s long gone she’s now just 13/8 for Friday’s race.

Impervious has always been labelled a classy Hurdler, but the switch to Chasing has been the making of her. She stays, she’s powerful and I think she will take all the beating this year. She has been to Cheltenham previously over Hurdles and she travelled very nicely round the track and made light work of the long uphill finish.

Allegorie De Vassey also has plenty of market support and she’s clearly a smart mare, but her jumping is all over the place and I certainly wouldn’t want an untrustworthy selection on my book. For me, it’s all about Impervious, no contest.

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