The 2021 Cheltenham Festival: Race-by-race guide to day four plus a Placepot

ZANAHIYR looked a potential star at Fairyhouse in November where he clocked some good sectionals, and the form of that race has worked out well. The former Flat performer was not visually as impressive last time out, but he managed to quicken off a slow pace and was well on top at the finish, plus he again defeated some useful rivals. He travels well, jumps swiftly and finds plenty under pressure, and I expect him to take all the beating here. Grade One winner Adagio looks a shade over-priced at 10-1 and can chase the selection home.

Tip: Zanahiyr

Dan Skelton has won three of the past five renewals of the County Hurdle, and his THIRD TIME LUCKI appears fairly treated off a rating of 143. Fourth in last year’s Champion Bumper, the six-year-old had excuses last time out but has shown some useful form over hurdles this season, and the better ground will suit. He can race keenly, so a strongly-run race should bring out the best in him and it’s unlikely he has finished progressing. Champagne Gold caught the eye when second behind a well-treated rival in a strong handicap at the Dublin Racing Festival last time out. That was just his fourth start over hurdles, and a repeat of that performance puts him firmly in the mix, so is another to consider.

Tip: Third Time Lucki (each-way)

The market leaders in this contest don’t set a particularly high standard, so a chance is taken on ALAPHILIPPE who relished the step up to three miles last time out. Paddy Brennan said the youngster “excites him” in a recent interview on Racing TV and his mount has already shown a useful level of form. A career best will be needed, but the selection is worth chancing at 10-1. Fakiera shaped as thought this trip would suit last time and looks best of the Irish challengers.

Tip: Alaphilippe (each-way)

It is hard to find a fault in AL BOUM PHOTO, and with question marks against the majority of his rivals, he rates a confident selection. The dual Gold Cup winner did well to win last year’s contest having hit the front a long way from home, and he looked as good as ever on his return at Tramore on New Year’s Day. One prep run in that contest has worked for the past two years, and there is no reason why it won’t again. Champ returned with an encouraging run at Newbury over two miles and is the leading British hope, having shaped like a thorough stayer when beating Minella Indo at last year's Cheltenham Festival.

Tip: Al Boum Photo

BOB AND CO showed some useful from in stronger company than this in France before joining Paul Nicholls and bolted up on his return to action in February where he appeared to have benefitted from a wind op. The Ditcheat handler said in a recent stable tour on Racing TV that his ten-year-old has a “big chance”, and a reproduction of his latest effort, or some of his performances in higher-graded races than this in France, will see him go close.

Tip: Bob And Co

Willie Mullins is set to hold a strong hand in the first running of this new contest, and ELIMAY looks his best chance following her cosy victory at Naas last time out. The grey defeated the useful Shattered Love with ease on that occasion and had previously found only the classy Allaho too good. Her form is strong, she has shown a good attitude and ran respectably in the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2019.

Tip: Elimay

It is probably best to forgive GABYNAKO's latest start where he made a bad mistake at the second, was shuffled back at a crucial stage plus was not given a hard time thereafter. On the form he showed on his previous start, he looks feasibly treated off a rating of 141 having finished third at Grade One level behind Bob Olinger, and will be in the mix if he jumps better here. Impressive Imperial Cup winner Langer Dan is another to consider in what is a tricky contest.

Tip: Gabynako.

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Perm of 16 lines: (1x2x2x2x2x1)

Leg 1: 7. Zanahiyr

Leg 2: 9. Champagne Gold. 10. Third Time Lucki

Leg 3: 2. Alaphilippe. 8. Fakiera

Leg 4: 1. Al Boum Photo. 5. Champ

Leg 5: 1. Billaway. 2. Bob And Co

Leg 6: 2. Elimay

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