Taking aim at the Cheltenham Festival - Day 4....

Thursday, 13th March 2025

Taking aim at the Cheltenham Festival - Day 4….

In ATC today….

…. I swing the bat on Day 4 at the Cheltenham Festival….

I’m on HANSARD in the 2.00 – he’s up at 16s & 14s….

…. I’m on PARK OF KINGS at 14s in the 5.20….

…. and I’m on CORBETTS CROSS at 20s & 18s in the Gold Cup at 4.00….

That’s the summary….

…. you’ll find all my reasoning below – as per usual….

Oh…. and if you’re looking for the standout place terms on offer – you’ll find them in the Bet Box below…. 

Read on….

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The County (2.00) is a funny race this year – with a smaller field than usual and the majority of participants running out of the big Irish yards….

Willie Mullins and Dan Skelton have won nine of the last ten renewals between them….

…. Mullins saddles four this time – two of them in the top 3 of the betting – and Skelton’s Valgrand is shortest of the British contingent…..

Fair enough – I know what metrics I’m up against but I never fret about taking the road less travelled….

…. and – at the prices – the one I want to be with is Gary & Josh Moore’s HANSARD at the 16s & 14s….

Is he good enough? Who knows. I guess that’s what we’ll find out tomorrow – but after a year off the track the Moore team has plotted his way through this season quietly….

He needed his first run at Kempton….

…. he wasn’t beaten miles in a hot handicap at Windsor….

…. and then he turned out last month for the G2 Kingwell at Wincanton – an  alternative engagement after adverse blood test results forced him to miss the William Hill Hurdle at Newbury….

He ran pretty well in Somerset – going deep with Golden Son and Burdett Road who filled the first two spots in a chaotic and not-to-be-taken-literally Champion Hurdle earlier this week….   

…. only giving best to that pair late on – and it was an outing you’d think would have done a fair bit for his fitness….

The 7yo has always looked like he’s got a big handicap prize in him – and he gives the impression that a strongly-run race will suit….

I think he might just be off-the-radar for a yard that’s very much in-form and which has won some big handicap hurdle races in its time….

Whether he’s good enough to win tomorrow – he’ll let you know….

…. but with the bookies paying out on up to 6 places….

…. one or two of the Irish horses probably weighted out of it….

…. and one or two others simply not up to it – I think he might well reward support….

I’m backing Paul Nolan’s PARK OF KINGS at the general 14s in the Martin Pipe (5.20)….

He was progressive in decent quality handicaps for trainer Paul Nolan ahead of the new year….

…. looking very much a horse that has a big handicap prize within his compass….

…. and I imagine this has been the plan for him ever since….

He certainly won’t mind the drying ground….

…. and in Conor Stone-Walsh he has a conditional on his back more experienced in decent races than plenty others with a ride tomorrow….

Finally, a little earlier on the card – the Gold Cup (4.00)….

I think I’m with the consensus when I say that this is Galopin Des Champs’s Gold Cup to lose….

…. but look at what’s happened earlier this week with Constitution Hill, State Man, and Jonbon….

…. nothing in horse racing is written in stone….

Whatever happens tomorrow – I think CORBETTS CROSS is overpriced at 20s & 18s….

He’s a strong traveller – and he stays….

…. we know he handles the track….

…. and if he’s still going at the end I see him running into a place – maybe better if something goes wrong for the hotpot….

He wasn’t right for the Betfair Chase or at Kempton for the King George over Christmas….

…. but the signals coming out of the yard are much more positive now….

…. and I think he’s plenty underrated at the prices….

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Now, just to recap….

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That’s all for today….

I’ll be back tomorrow with my picks for the weekend action….

Meantime – contact me direct at nick.pullen@oxonpress.co.uk  

And remember – win, lose or draw – enjoy the racing….

Stay tuned….

Against the Crowd