We have made it to the final day of the festival. One more chance to get stuck into the greatest show on turf. Gold Cup Day is the highlight of the week for many and this year’s race is certainly competitive. The undercard is equally difficult, but our team have found a few of the better chances on the final day below.
NAP
5:30pm Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle – ADAMANTLY CHOSEN
Willie Mullins has won this race with the likes of Don Poli, Killutagh Vic and Galopin Des Champs in recent years and he could have another star of the future in ADAMANTLY CHOSEN. A winner of a bumper at the Punchestown festival on his debut for Willie Mullins, he chased home 2 talented types in his first 2 starts over hurdles at Fairyhouse and Cork. He made no mistake on his next start when winning a Thurles maiden hurdle by 27-lengths at the start of February and has earned an official rating of 142 on the back of that effort. That could leave him very well treated on the same mark as Galopin Des Champs, who won this race for the yard with a very similar preparation.
NB
3:30pm Gold Cup – MINELLA INDO
After 2 below par efforts at Down Royal and Kempton before the turn of the year, MINELLA INDO returned to form when finishing 2nd in the Irish Gold Cup at the start of last month. The yard had been notably out of form around the turn of the year, so it is probably best to forgive his below par effort in the King George, especially given the way that race panned out. He has been slowly improving and looked ready to run to his best when 2nd at Leopardstown. With a record of 1,2,1 in his 3 starts at Cheltenham, this appears to his ideal circumstances, and he is good value to win a 2nd Gold Cup.
BEST EACH-WAY
1:30pm Triumph Hurdle – PORTICELLO
Getting the better of the Irish trained runners won’t be easy, but PORTICELLO does appear to be the best of the British and there are reasons to think he can at least get involved in the finish. A winner on his only start in France, he already has a Grade 1 win courtesy of the Juvenile Finale win at Chepstow in December. A strong stayer, he has the necessary experience and stamina to handle the rigors of the Triumph hurdle, with any rain significantly enhancing his chance.
