Day 4 (Friday) – Cheltenham 2019

It’s Cheltenham Friday so that can only mean one thing, it’s time for Cheltenham 2019’s Day Four, the final day of this racing extravaganza.

As is the case on every Day Four at Cheltenham, it’s all about the Gold Cup! This prestigious race is one of the most coveted by jockeys, trainers, owners and racegoers alike. It is for this reason that it is seen as one of, if not, the highlight of the entire four-day event.

So, if you’re betting on Cheltenham Day Four, then you may want to have a quick look at our handy comparison table. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best sign-up offers available, so you can spend more time making winning bets!

Cheltenham Day 4 Races: Schedule

TOP Cheltenham Day 4 Betting Sites

To make sure you make the most of everything around Cheltenham Day Four betting, you’ll firstly need to know what the Cheltenham Day Four race card looks like. Which is why, we’ve got the table of races for you here.

The JCB Triumph Hurdle (1:30 PM)

We kick off the Cheltenham Friday races at 1.30pm. The Grade 1 race is run by horses aged four, over the distance of 2 miles 1 furlong. The novice hurdlers will have to contest with eight hurdles. It is a key race in the National Hunt calendar that is contested by juveniles.

There is also quite a strong step up from winners of this event to those participating, and winning, in the Champion Hurdle.

Race Winners in 2018

Last year it was all eyes on Apple’s Shakira, but she just couldn’t keep up with the pace. Over the last it was Farclas who was able to hold off the challenge posed by Mr. Adjudicator and win by 1 ¾ lengths. This presented Gordon Elliot with yet another winner, and in the first of the Cheltenham races on Friday. Not a bad way to start Gold Cup day!

The JCB Triumph Hurdle Summary

The Randox Health County Handicap Hurdle (2:10 PM)

This Grade 3 outing is open to horses of five years and older and is over 2 miles 1 furlong with eight hurdles to navigate. The race is at 2.10pm on the Cheltenham Friday racecards, so don’t miss out on it!

Its place one the race card did use to be the last race run at the Festival, however, in a shake-up of the race times, it was instead brought forward to be earlier in the day to second.

County Handicap Hurdle 2019 Favourites

Wonder Laish

Wonder Laish impressed in winning consecutive races at Navan and Fairyhouse at the end of 2018 for trainer Charles Brynes, however the seven-year-old came unstuck at Leopardstown recently. Wonder Laish finished 23 lengths behind eventual winner Off You Go in the Ladbrokes Hurdle, with the 7-1 shot having failed to make an impression in a strong field. The seven-year-old will be competing at Cheltenham for the very first time, however if jockey Davy Russell can get the best out of him and the going suits his style then he could well be worth an outside bet.

Uradel

While a run in the Handicap Hurdle is also being mooted, however with the Willie Mullins-trained horse having struggled for form throughout the season so far, the County Hurdle could be viewed as the preferable option. The eight-year-old finished fifth in the Ladbrokes Hurdle following a 90-day absence, which will have come as a disappointment to owner Luke McMahon, especially as he started the race as the 9/2 favourite with Ruby Walsh on board.

Ivanovich Gorbatov

Joseph O’Brien’s Ivanovich Gorbatov will be looking for a return to form at Cheltenham, with the 2016 Triumph Hurdle winner having finished sixth and 17th in the County Hurdle over the last two years. The seven-year-old is yet to find his top form so far this season, with just one placed finish in his last four outings, however he certainly has the experience to mount a challenge at Cheltenham. Ivanovich Gorbatov finished third in the Ladbrokes Hurdle at Leopardstown in February, a race that was eventually won by Off You Go.

Race Winners in 2018

If last year’s race was anything to go by, this could well be one of the races to keep your eye on today. It was a great run by two longshots, which is always music to the ears of bettors! Mohaayed who was starting price 33/1 was able to hold off an astonishing dual against Remiluc, SP of 50/1, by two and three-quarter lengths.

For what is regarded as one of the most competitive and challenging of handicaps of not only the day, but the whole Festival, it was some achievement by Mohaayed and jockey Dan Skelton on the day!

The County Handicap Hurdle Summary

The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (2:50 PM)

The next race of the day is later that hour, at 2.50pm. This Grade 1 encounter is open to horses aged four years old and older. The distance for this Novices outing is a gruelling 3 miles with twelve hurdles to be jumped.

Prior to 2008 this was a Grade 2 outing, but, post that date it was promoted to a Grade 1 status. It may have been a higher status, but, it was again a longshot who was able to run its way to victory in this.

Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle 2019 

Commander Of Fleet

Trainer Gordon Elliott’s Commander Of Fleet is undoubtedly one of the favourites for the Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle, with the five-year-old having won a point race over three miles at Leopardstown at the beginning of February. Commander Of Fleet saw off the much-fancied Rhinestone in the process, along with the pre-race 4/1 favourite Relegate, with the youngster having shown his stamina in the closing stages, eventually winning by a margin of just half a length.

Commander of Fleet certainly has the potential to go right to the top, with a success at Cheltenham perhaps not coming as a surprise to those in the know. However, the Irish horse did finish fourth from four runners in the Grade 1 Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse at the end of 2018, demonstrating that he still has work to do at the highest level.

Lisnagar Oscar

Lisnagar Oscar is the leading candidate for trainer Rebecca Curtis, with the six-year-old having won at both Chepstow and Haydock so far in 2019. This record includes a success in the Grade 2 Prestige Novices’ Hurdle in February, where he finished some ten lengths clear of his closest rival.

Such a performance now puts him right in the mix for Cheltenham, with trainer Curtis being well-known for producing some of the stars of the festival over recent times. Lisnagar Oscar has never finished outside of the top three throughout his short career to date, with another placed finish at Cheltenham in March being anticipated by many as a result.

Birchdale

Having won the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in January, it is still unclear as to which race Birchdale will take part in when the Festival comes around. Nicky Henderson’s five-year-old impressed hugely in finishing a massive 18 lengths clear of Buster Valentine, with jockey Barry Geraghty likely to lead Birchdale at Cheltenham once again. Birchdale also won the Maiden Hurdle at Warwick in December, meaning that he has now won all three of his career outings to date. Those looking to back Birchdale should certainly look out for bookmakers offering non runner no bet promotions due to question markets regarding his race options.

Race Winners in 2018

It was Kilbricken Storm who was available at a starting price of 33/1 was able to gift Harry Cobden with a first Festival winner. He was able to stay within touching distance of long-time leader Fabulous Saga and started to reel him in at the last, and, then was able to get his head down and run home to win by three lengths.

The Albert Bartletts Novices’ Hurdle Summary

Cheltenham Gold Cup (3:30 PM)

Then it’s the final day showstopper, yes, it’s the Gold Cup! Make sure you’re ready for 3.30pm as this is where the excitement is on our last day of racing. This Grade 1 encounter is one of the most beloved races in the British racing calendar. Run over 3 miles and 2½ furlongs with a whopping 22 fences to be tackled.

Read More about betting on the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Cheltenham Gold Cup 2019 Favourites

Presenting Percy

Eight-year-old Presenting Percy has been much talked about in the build up to the Festival this year, with the Patrick Kelly-trained horse having now won four of his last five races. This run includes a recent Grade 2 hurdle at Gowran Park, where he stayed on well to finish 1 ¼ lengths clear of his closest rival.

Presenting Percy first came to the attention of racing fans when he won the Pertemps Final back in 2017, before winning the RSA Insurance Novice’s Chase at Cheltenham last year, seeing off long-standing rival Monalee in the process. A run in the Gold Cup has long been mooted, with his first outing since his success at Cheltenham last year demonstrating that he is not far from being the finished article.

Clan Des Obeaux

In terms of English challengers, it looks likely to be down to Paul Nicholls’ Clan Des Obeaux, who finished third behind Might Bite in the Betway Bowl at Aintree in 2018. However, the seven-year-old has won his last two races, coming at Kempton and Ascot respectively, with Clan Des Obeaux finishing some 11 lengths clear of Terrefort in the Denman Chase in February.

It was his win in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day that really raised eyebrows however, with Nicholls’ runner having beaten the likes of Thistlecrack and Native River that day, after starting as a 12/1 outsider. The young chaser certainly looks to be ready for a crack at the big time, with a rating of 173 putting him right up there with the best chasers around at present, despite some concerns over his stamina.

Native River

Reigning Gold Cup champion Native River looks set for another crack at success, with the nine-year-old having ran twice since his success at Cheltenham last year, finishing second and third at Haydock and Kempton respectively. The Colin Tizzard-trained horse was well beaten in the Betfair Chase in his first run of the season, finishing second behind Bristol De Mai, with many feeling that the going was too quick for him that day.

Native River followed up this showing by running well in the King George VI Chase at Kempton, however he never really looked a threat as he finished 13 lengths behind Clan Des Obeaux. Native River will certainly be hard to beat on a Cheltenham track that suits his skills, with a repeat of his performance 12 months ago not being unlikely.

Race Winners in 2018

Native River was ridden superbly by champion jockey Richard Johnson which claimed trainer Colin Tizzard his first win in this race. It was no mean feat either, as many were fancying Might Bite to get a historic treble for Nicky Henderson – however – he was not able to keep pace with Native Winner who ran in four and a half lengths to the good.

The pair were neck and neck from the start, but it was up the hill after the last fence were Native River was able to put his head down and power on to victory.

Cheltenham Gold Cup Summary

The St. James’s Place Foxhunter Steeple Chase Challenge Cup (4:10 PM)

After the excitement of the Gold Cup comes the Foxhunter Steeple Chase, or, as it is commonly known as the ‘amateur Gold Cup’ at 4.10pm. This race is for amateur riders upon horses aged five years and older. Over the distance of 3 miles and 2 ½ furlongs there are 22 challenging fences to be cleared successfully.

Foxhunter Steeple Chase Challenge Cup 2019 Favourites

Stand Up And Fight

The Irish challenge in the Foxhunters Chase is perhaps led by Stand Up And Fight, with the seven-year-old formally been rated 133 over hurdles. Trainer Edna Bolger always believed he would be better as a chaser however, with his best performance to date coming in winning the Hunters Chase at Down Royal on Boxing Day. Having won by a distance of five lengths from Sizing Coal that day, Stand Up And Fight followed this win with a second place finish Kilfeacle last time around, with trainer Bolger and owner J.P. McManus believing that he is progressing well ahead of the Cheltenham Festival.

Hazel Hill

Having been beaten just once in 10 races under trainer Philip Rowley, Hazel Hill is unsurprisingly among the favourites for the Foxhunters Chase. The 11-year-old the recent Hunters Chase at Warwick, having previously come out on top in the Men’s Open at Chaddesley Corbett in December. The only horse to have beaten Hazel Hill over recent times was Garde Ville, however his 11 length victory over Mr Mix at Warwick demonstrates that he is in good enough form to challenge at Cheltenham this month.

Road To Rome

Road To Rome has been something of a revelation so far this season for J J O’Shea, winning four chases already in 2019. Having won by a massive 25 lengths at Taunton, the nine-year-old recorded back-to-back victories at Ludlow, seeing off Beeves and Queen Olivia in the process. His most recent success came in the Walrus Open Hunters’ Chase at Haydock in February, where he impressed hugely by winning by a margin of 34 lengths, in a race that featured Paul Nicholls’ Pacha Du Polder. Road To Rome is now rated 30lbs higher than this time last year, with the fact that he travels well meaning that he is much fancied ahead of the Festival.

Race Winners in 2018

This was an extraordinary run last year, which saw Pacha Du Polder pull off a successive winning run after success here in 2017 too. But, the feat is made all the more impressive when jockey Harriet Tucker dismounted the winner admitted that whilst racing for victory, she had to pop her shoulder back in which had dislocated mid-race!

It was an exciting race, which ultimately led to a second victory in as many years for Pacha Du Polder by a neck.

Foxhunter Steeple Chase Summary

The Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (4:50 PM)

Curated in 2009 this race was named in honour of Martin Pipe. A National Hunt trainer who was Champion Trainer fifteen times along with 34 victories at Cheltenham Festival. Quite a fitting tribute.

This is open to conditional jockeys on board horses aged four years and older at 4.50pm. It is run over a distance of 2 miles and 4 ½ furlongs with nine hurdles to be navigated.

Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle 2019 Favouirites

Dallas des Pictons

Dallas des Pictons travels to Cheltenham off the back of two consecutive victories in 2019, with the six-year-old having won at both Punchestown and Leopardstown for trainer Gordon Elliott. Having impressed in defeating Lighthouse Warrior by ten lengths in January, Dallas des Pictons won by a neck from Willie Mullins’ Calie Du Mesnil in the Grade B Handicap Hurdle at the beginning of February. Despite having little experience at the highest level, the former Alain Couetil trained horse will certainly be a threat in the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle this year.

Uradel

 Willie Mullins’ Uradel has struggled for form so far this season, finishing fifth in the Ladbrokes Hurdle at Leopardstown in February, following a 90 day break from action. The Willie Mullins eight-year-old last won at Galway back in July 2018, having finished as runner-up to stablemate Low Sun at Newmarket in October. Cheltenham will be something of an unknown quantity for Uradel, with trainer Mullins still weighing up his options ahead of the Festival.

Honeysuckle

Honeysuckle may be one of the least experienced candidates for the Handicap Hurdle this year, however the Henry De Bromhead-trained horse has won all four of his career outings to date. The five-year-old won the Mares Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse in January, finishing ahead of Western Victory by six lengths.

Honeysuckle enjoyed a 206-day break following a win at Dromahane back in April last year, however this has seemingly done little to effect her development. Jockey Rachael Blackmore is likely to be on board the youngster at Cheltenham, with Honeysuckle having received strong backing over recent weeks.

Race Winners in 2018

It was, unsurprisingly at this point of the Festival, that Gordon Elliot got his eighth winner of the 2018 Festival. Having led all the way Blow By Blow was able to stride to victory by five lengths.

Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle Summary

The Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Steeple Chase Challenge Cup (5:30 PM)

The last race of the Cheltenham Festival is run from 5.30pm, so make sure you’re getting on it before it’s too late and the Festival has galloped away from you!

This race is the oldest of those run at the Festival, and the oldest chase in the National Hunt calendar – so it is definitely a fitting show closer. This Grade 3 race is run by horses of five years or older, over the distance of 2 miles ½ furlong with fourteen hurdles to be cleared.

Grand Annual Chase 2019 Favourites

Magic Saint

Paul Nicholls’ Magic Saint won the recent Handicap Chase at Wincanton, where he was the 11/10 pre-race favourite, meaning that he comes into contention for the Grand Annual at Cheltenham, despite having struggled at times last season. He finished well behind winner Hell’s Kitchen in the Handicap Chase at Ascot in December, in a race that also features Nicky Henderson’s Janika. Despite having taken some time to acclimatise to his new surroundings under trainer Nicholls, Magic Saint is potentially a good outside bet for the Grand Annual following his impressive showing at Wincanton just a matter of weeks ago.

Whatswrongwithyou

Having won on both of his outings so far in 2019, Nicky Henderson’s Whatswrongwithyou is much fancied going into the Grand Annual this year, with his 17 length win at Fontwell at the end of February demonstrating the kind of form that will be needed. Nico de Boinville already has a strong looking book of rides at Cheltenham this year, with Whatiswrongwithyou only adding to this list following his most recent victory. Rain could well suit the eight-year-old on Day Four of the Festival, with the horse also requiring to go up a few pounds before then.

Us And Them

Six-year-old US And Them may have finished as runner-up in his last three races, he still has the potential to cause an upset in the Grand Annual this year. Having finished 12th in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle 12 at Cheltenham 12 months ago, a race that was won by Summerville Boy, Us And Them will be looking to put in an improved performance this time around, have enjoyed a 230 day break until October last year. He finished seven lengths behind Le Richebourg in the Arkle Novice Chase at Leopardstown in February, having finished behind the horse on the same track just a matter of days prior to this. Trainer Joseph O’Brien will be hoping that the going suits the youngster on Day Four at Cheltenham this year.

Race Winners in 2018

It was the 15/2 Le Prezien who was able to put his name on the winners list on Cheltenham 2019’s Friday finale. It didn’t seem like that would be the case with Gino Trail leading up until to the last, but, at the last fence it was Barry Geraghty who was able to ride his horse to victory. After that final hurdle, it was Le Prezien who was able to gallop to a comfortable victory of four and a half lengths.

The Grand Annual Chase Summary

Betting on The Cheltenham Day 4

The main races you will want to be getting your money on are undoubtedly the Grand Annual, and, of course, the Gold Cup. There are likely to be plenty of amazing offers on the Gold Cup in particular, so keep your eyes peeled.

Bottom Line

It is not often seen as the most action-packed days of racing from the Cheltenham Festival, but, it is without a doubt one that should not be overlooked when your placing your bets. With the Gold Cup and the self-proclaimed ‘Amateur Gold Cup’, you would be mad not to get on these two races.

What’s more is, with this being the last day of racing from Cheltenham, you will find that bookies are likely to be even more generous as they look to cash in on bettors on the final day of this huge racing event. That, is where we’re looking to provide you with the best comparisons of offers, and, information to help you make the most of their generosity – and make them wish they hadn’t offered you it.

All in all, it’s the final day of the event, so make sure you and your betting go out on top!