It’s already Gold Cup day at Cheltenham, Matt has all you need to know about each race.
Matt Chapman’s Friday Cheltenham Tips
13:20 – Minella Study
14:00 – Jubilee Alpha (Each-Way)
14:40 – Panic Attack
15:20 – Thedeviluno
16:00 – Inothewayurthinkin
16:40 – Chemical Energy
17:20 – Act Of Authority
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
Day 4 and the end of Cheltenham 2026 gets under way with the Grade 1 JCB Triumph Hurdle over an extended 2m. I’ll chance MINELLA ACADEMY for Willie Mullins and Danny Mullins. He’s a big price for the stable, and ditched by Paul Townend, but Mullins did it with an outsider in Poniros last year and Minella Academy looked very good on his only run for a different stable. Could be anything.
The competitive County Handicap Hurdle over an extended 2m. There are much sexier horses than JUBILEE ALPHA, but she’s interesting for Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden. The mare has travelled well in classy races without finishing off and I’ve long thought she simply doesn’t stay over the distances she’s been trying. She drops to 2m and off a fast pace might surprise a few. A mark of 139 should be very workable for a relatively lightly raced horse. A few quid eachway.
Now the fabulous Grade 2 Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase over an extended 2m4f. Dinoblue a strong favourite, but I’m happy to weigh in with PANIC ATTACK for Harry and Dan Skelton. The mare has been brilliant this season, winning all three races including the Coral Gold Cup, a Listed contest and the incredible Paddy Power Gold Cup here. She jumps like a stag and stays, so will be no pushover.
Up in class again for the Grade 1 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle over nearly 3m. Few really stay this trip but THEDEVILUNO looks a very strong horse at the distance and comes here in great form on the back of a win in Grade 2 company at Doncaster. He beat a decent animal in Skylight Hustle in a maiden and might well be up to this task. Might prefer some softer ground as Sean O’Keeffe rides for Paul Nolan.
The big one of the week in the Grade 1 Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup over an extended 3m2f. INOTHEWAYURTHINKIN has been awful since winning this race last year and there are plenty of up-and-coming young horses who can take this prize, none more so than Jango Baie who has a huge chance on his staying on run in the King George. However, last year’s hero has proven stamina and when I spoke to trainer Gavin Cromwell earlier in the week, he said there’s definitely a bit of spring back in the hoof of his hope. A first time tongue strap might also help. It’s a leap of faith on recent form but fingers crossed for Mark Walsh.
Now the Princess Royal Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase over an extended 3m2f. I can see a decent effort from CHEMICAL ENERGY here for Mr B O’Neill and Gordon Elliott. The 141-rated chaser has won his last two starts in point-to-points and should be a strong stayer here with past efforts including a sixth in the Cross Country here last year and a former effort in the Irish National. He was also once 8th here in a Martin Pipe.
Cheltenham 2026 ends with the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle over an extended 2m4f. This is it. ACT OF AUTHORITY was second in this last year to Wodhooh and can hopefully go one place better off just a 1lb higher mark. He ran poorly at Ascot last time, when never involved, but prior to that had been in good form this season. Olly Murphy trains with Lewis Saunders riding.
So best of luck and pray for Yeeehaaas. You hear me Paddy?
Matt Chapman’s Friday Cheltenham Tips
13:20 – Minella Study
14:00 – Jubilee Alpha
14:40 – Panic Attack
15:20 – Thedeviluno
16:00 – Inothewayurthinkin
16:40 – Chemical Energy
17:20 – Act Of Authority
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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