Cheltenham Festival: RaceiQ's essential clues for day four
By Andy Stephens
Last Updated: Thu 12 Mar 2026
We need all the help we can get to solve the seven daily puzzles at The Festival, so Andy Stephens looks at what the data tells us for the action on Friday.
What the RaceiQ data tells us about the Gold Cup
✅ MAESTRO CONTI
1.20 JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1)
We have no data for his hurdling debut success in France in September, but he has created quite an impression on his two British starts, winning easily at Kempton before following up on Trials Day at Cheltenham.
A feature of his Kempton performance was his jumping – he jumped best at half of the eight flights and gained more than 11 lengths – and he was also efficient in that department at Cheltenham. However, the most striking element of his latest success was the speed he showed.
They could not go fast enough for him in the first half of the contest and consequently he was keen, tugging at Harry Skelton to go faster. The jockey resisted the demand and counted to well beyond ten before finally letting go off the handbrake up the home straight.
Maestro Conti needed no second invitation to quicken up smartly, nudging 37mph in the 14th furlong. And despite his exuberant nature, on sapping ground, he completed the final half mile at least 1sec quicker than some smart opposition.
He's a horse with a big stride in him - it measured a maximum 7.85 metres here - and clearly he can cover a lot of ground in a short time. No other horse on the card matched that.
The overall winning time compares favourably with previous winners of the race, including Defi Du Seuil, Sir Gino and East India Dock, and the form got a boost when La Luna Artista, who finished fifth in receipt of 10lb, subsequently stormed home in the Adonis Hurdle.
✅ PANIC ATTACK
2.40 Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase (Grade 2)
Panic Attack has been a revelation this season, winning the Paddy Power Gold Cup, Coral Gold Trophy and a Listed event for mares. She’s unbeaten in four chases for her current yard and her jumping has been electric.
She’s gained almost 25 lengths per race in her past two starts and her career Jump Index is 7.9. Dinoblue is the one to beat on official ratings, but Panic Attack has had a lot less racing than her over fences and is the stronger stayer. Her Finishing Speed Percentage has been best in her past five races.
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