Cheltenham Festival Day Four: One Favourite, One Value Pick and One Longshot to Consider

With the sun coming up over the horizon for Gold Cup Friday, a date with destiny lies in wait for Al Boum Photo and Wille Mullins at the Cheltenham Festival.

The two-time winner will be aiming to land an historic treble in the contest, joining the likes of Golden Miller, Cottage Rake, Arkle and Best Mate.

With six other contests on the card, punters are hoping to find some value on the final day of the Festival.

Here are our three selections for today’s racing at Cheltenham.

Favourite: Elimay – Mares’ Chase (5/6 @ William Hill)

As much as the Gold Cup is an exciting event, the closing day of the Festival also sees the inauguration of a new contest – the Mares’ Chase.

Willie Mullins holds one of his best hands of the week in this, with Elimay and Colreevy sitting in the top two of the betting.

Elimay has justified her favouritism for the Grade 2 event, finishing second behind Ryanair Chase winner Allaho in the Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase at Thurles in January before going on to win the Opera Hat Mares Chase comfortably.

It would not be a shock if the seven-year-old continued the Irish dominance here.

Value Pick: Alaphilippe – Albert Bartlett (14/1 @ Paddy Power + Betfair)

Fergal O’Brien is still waiting for his first Cheltenham success, and he stands a good chance here with Alaphilippe.

A hard-working gelding, he landed a commanding victory in the Prestige Novices’ Hurdle at Haydock, running clear by 14 lengths.

The seven-year-old has proven his stamina and should easily stay the three miles here.

At 14/1, there is clearly each-way value for Alaphilippe in this contest.

Longshot: Le Patriote – County Hurdle (50/1 @ Various)

A smart hurdler, Le Patriote could cause an upset in the County Hurdle at big odds.

Dr Richard Newland’s nine-year-old is at a very enticing handicap mark and if he can bounce back to his best form then he could run a big race here.

The drying ground will be a bonus for the gelding, and he did win a handicap hurdle at Prestbury Park on good ground two years ago.

Le Patriote could be an interesting each-way selection in the County Hurdle.