Cheltenham Festival LIVE: 5:30 result, tips and latest odds after exciting Gold Cup race
Cheltenham schedule, racecard and all the action as the Festival concludes on Day 4, Gold Cup Day
Cheltenham Festival concludes on Day 4 after a thrilling opening day to ‘the greatest show on turf’ was followed by more Irish dominance on Day 2 before a British revival sparked by the Skelton brothers yesterday.
The opening two days saw plenty of success for Willie Mullins, who finally hit his historic milestone of a century of victories at the Cheltenham Festival but went winless on St. Patrick’s Thursday. However, he’s trained the favourite of the showpiece race with Galopin Des Champs looking to retain the Gold Cup this afternoon.
Harry Skelton and Paul Townend are vying for the leading jockey title with both sitting on four wins heading into the final day while Rachael Blackmore trails behind on two and could be in contention.
More than 60,000 spectators are expected to flock to Prestbury Park again for the Festival’s conclusion looking to beat the bookmakers, with today’s schedule including the Triumph Hurdle first up at 1.30pm, as well as the County Handicap Hurdle, the Albert Bartless Novices Hurdle, and of course, the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Follow all of our coverage from the 2024 Cheltenham Festival below plus get the best each-way odds and tips for Day 4 here and a full analysis of the best bets in the Gold Cup here:
Cheltenham 2.10 - County Handicap Hurdle
Harry Skelton and L’eau Du Sud edge into the front with Afadil right next to him as they leap of the last. Just behind them Absurde is showing fine pace.
Cheltenham 2.10 - County Handicap Hurdle
So Scottish moves to the inside with L’eau Du Sud beginning to position himself. Afadil still leads with Zenta still in third.
Cheltenham 2.10 - County Handicap Hurdle
The ground is still testing here after rain this morning. It’s soft as they reached the halfway stage of this two-mile race.
Cheltenham 2.10 - County Handicap Hurdle
Zenta, ridden by Mark Walsh who just won the Triumph Hurdle, is positioned in third place with Afadil now leading by 10 lengths or so.
Cheltenham 2.10 - County Handicap Hurdle
And they’re off! Afadil and Media Naranja head out in front with the former allowed to go clear before being quikcly reined in.
Cheltenham 2.10 - County Handicap Hurdle
The horses have gone out to the post and are being prepped, ready for the start. The favourite is L’eau Du Sud, another of Sir Alex Ferguson’s horses.
Cheltenham 1.30 - Triumph Hurdle result
Cheltenham 2.10 - County Handicap Hurdle
Ruby Walsh’s tip for the County Handicap Hurdle:
“Zenta is Willie Mullins’ best chance but I’m with Leau Du Sud. Dan Skelton told me he really fancies him, as he did with Unexpected Party who bolted up on Wednesday, so I’ll side with him!”
Leau Du Sud – 10/3
Cheltenham 2.10 - County Handicap Hurdle
Latest odds via Paddy Power for the second race of the day, the County Handicap Hurdle:
Leau Du Sud – 10/3
So Scottish – 4/1
King Of Kingsfield – 11/2
Faivoir – 7/1
Zenta – 17/2
Magical Zoe – 11/1
Petit Tonnerre – 11/1
Pied Piper – 14/1
Bialystok – 14/1
Risk Belle – 14/1
Absurde – 16/1
Mr Freedom – 20/1
By Your Side – 35/1
Afadil – 35/1
Westport Cove – 40/1
Samui – 40/1
Media Naranja – 100/1
‘I expected him to be the favourite’ - Willie Mullins reacts to victory in the Triumph Hurdle
Willie Mullins was delighted have another winner after a dry Thursday but admitted his surprise that Majborough was as long as 6/1 to win the Triumph Hurdle.
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