Friday Horse Racing Tips: Check out Dan Overall's best bets for Cheltenham Gold Cup day
Our regular columnist Dan Overall is back with his thoughts for the final day of the Cheltenham Festival, and you can check out his best bets here for Gold Cup day...
13:30 - Triumph Hurdle
The form of the Spring Juvenile is strong and while the slowly run race did play to VAUBAN's strengths, there is still plenty of improvement to come from him, with all of the post-race discussion from connections focusing on how much more is left in the tank as opposed to what he just achieved. The bullish talk from the Mullins camp has continued, and it seems as though they would be surprised if he were to be beaten here. My only concern would be if this race developed into a real test of stamina, but I hope that the ground will have dried out sufficiently for it not to be an issue.
The main danger could be Il Etait Temps, who made the best debut of any juvenile this season when third at the Dublin Racing Festival on his first start for Willie Mullins. Very novicey in the early stages, he powered home from off the pace and he was the only one to get involved having been ridden patiently. The way he hit the line suggests that there is plenty of improvement to come, and I would recommend a saver on him.
Vauban
14:10 - County Hurdle
In the build up to the Greatwood, Dan Skelton was overtly bullish about the claims of WEST CORK. He was widely ignored but he was proven right, as West Cork ran out a ready winner despite Harry dropping his whip late on. The form of that race has worked out very well and he is only seven pounds higher.
His Ascot run was promising based on how he travelled but considering he was found to have a severe overreach after the race and it was his second start after a long absence. Skelton believes West Cork is a graded horse in the making and when you consider his incredible recent record in the race, West Cork makes plenty of appeal.
I would recommend a saver on Tax For Max, trained by Mullins who also has an enviable record in this race. Highly tried as a juvenile, he was rated 110 on the flat in Germany and has been gelded since his last run. A strongly run race looks sure to suit and five-year-olds with flat experience perform well in this race.
West Cork (EW)
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14:50 - Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle
BALLYGRIFINCOTTAGE made a hugely encouraging rules and hurdling debut at Cheltenham back in December, finishing third to race-fit duo Blazing Khal and Gelino Bello; the former is arguably the standout staying novice hurdler of the season while the latter is Aintree bound having won comfortably since.
To do that on debut was a remarkable effort and he actually jumped the last upsides the winner, only fading late on which you can put down to a lack of fitness.
He backed up that debut with a win at the Winter Millions meeting at Lingfield, which has already produced a festival winner this week. I would encourage you to watch the final furlong of that race, as he won fairly comfortably in the end in the style of a horse with more to offer.
While he lacks rules experience, he won three point to points in three weeks and this seven year old has the credentials to go well here at a big price.
