Cheltenham Tips: @RoadCheltenham’s Fancies For Today On Gold Cup Day

It’s Cheltenham Gold Cup day and all eyes will be on Galopin Des Champs as he bids to make history by winning jumps racing’s blue riband race for the third year in a row. The stage is set and it looks his race to lose.

The fourth and final day of the 2025 Festival will be no different to the previous three days with regards to this column. I have six 1pt selections and a 2pts NAP of the Day for readers. Hopefully we can end the week on a high!

13:20 Cheltenham - Triumph Hurdle

It would be an amazing achievement if famous sprinter Blue Point was to sire a Cheltenham Festival winner, but I give BLUE LEMONS a decent chance of running a big race in the Triumph Hurdle on Friday afternoon.

Willie Mullins runs plenty in the race but the Closutton master has booked Rachael Blackmore to ride and I’m hoping her mount can run into the places. Lulamba and East India Dock are leading contenders but I wouldn’t write Blue Lemons off.

Tip: 0.5pts Blue Lemons (E/W) at 33/1

14:00 Cheltenham - County Hurdle

It doesn’t look a vintage renewal of the County Hurdle to me and just 16 runners going to post for the second race on Gold Cup day is disappointing. Kargese is the choice of Paul Townend and she has obvious claims based on her form as a juvenile.

However, VALGRAND is the one that I’ve landed on and vibes are strong that he can run a big race for the Dan Skelton team. The yard tasted success with The New Lion earlier in the week and whispers suggest this is their best handicap chance of the meeting.

Tip: 0.5pts Valgrand (E/W) at 8/1

14:40 Cheltenham - Mares' Chase

The quicker the ground, the better the chance for BRIDES HILL as she looks to secure a second successive Mares Chase victory for trainer Gavin Cromwell. Limerick Lace is an obvious danger if back to her best but she’d prefer softer ground.

Keith Donoghue had the choice between the Cromwell mares and he opted for Brides Hill – which could be a tip in itself. She probably has more upside than most of her rivals and the likes of Allegorie De Vassy and Dinoblue are relatively untrustworthy.

Tip: 0.5pts Brides Hill (WIN) at 6/1

15:20 Cheltenham - Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle

I’ve been keen on the chances of JET BLUE for a while and I’m sticking with the French raider in what looks like a wide open renewal. I’m a huge fan of The Big Westerner and I wish connections well but she’d almost certainly appreciate some cut in the ground.

Intense Approach is one who’ll love the quicker ground and he can run well for the John McConnell team while Wingmen is solid– with performances behind The Yellow Clay and Final Demand, both of whom ran well in the Turners Novices’ Hurdle on Wednesday.

Tip: 0.5pts Jet Blue (E/W) at 8/1 

16:00 Cheltenham - Gold Cup

Barring a fall, Galopin Des Champs looks set to record a third successive Cheltenham Gold Cup and there will be some incredible scenes in the parade ring after the race if he can get the job done. He’s the horse of a lifetime and I wish connections the very best of luck as he bids to make history in the feature race of the week.

Henry de Bromhead has had no luck this week but I think MONTY’S STAR can run a big race to finish in the places. He’s been trained with one day in mind and the Knockeen handler will have him primed for glory. He may be playing for second and third, but I’d be quietly confident that he can go well on this nicer ground.

Tip: 0.5pts Monty’s Star (E/W) at 14/1

16:40 Cheltenham - Hunters Chase

ANGELS DAWN is a short enough price in the Hunters Chase but she is the class angle in the race and she has Cheltenham Festival form in the book, beating Stumptown – the Cross Country Chase winner on Wednesday – in the Kim Muir just two years ago.

The 3m2f trip will be no bother for her and she has shown a high level of form in recent runs. Its On The Line will run his race, as will Gordon Elliott’s new recruit Willitgoahead but I can’t see past the market leader here.

Tip: 1pt Angels Dawn (WIN) at 7/2

17:20 Cheltenham - Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle

I’ve bought into the hype: KOPECK DE MEE (NAP) will win the Martin Pipe. I really wanted him to run in the County Hurdle as I fancied Wodhooh quite strongly for this race but the talk out of Closutton is suggesting that Kopeck De Mee has plenty in hand off a British mark of 136.

Aidan Kelly is an experienced jockey and he is the one tasked with steering the favourite home. His form ties in with the likes of Kitzbuhel and Karam Le Rouge and it’ll be really interesting to see where he lines up. I’ll have a nibble on the Kopeck De Mee-Wodhooh forecast on the day but he is my strongest fancy on Gold Cup day.

Tip: 2pts Kopeck De Mee (WIN) at 5/2