Aidan Coleman’s Cheltenham Day Four Blog
Top jockey Aidan Coleman is here with his thoughts on the fourth and final day of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival.
Triumph Hurdle
With Sir Gino now a non-runner, this year’s Triumph Hurdle has a wide-open feel to it and having had a juvenile winner already this week, I’m sweet on the chances of the Joseph O’Brien-trained NURBURGRING (Each-Way).
He’s got excellent form in Ireland this season, winning at Fairyhouse in December before going down by less than a length at Leopardstown on Boxing Day.
Given a break since then, this large field should suit and I think he’s excellent each-way value.
County Hurdle
A typically ultra-competitive County Hurdle with the Gigginstown-owned King Of Kingsfield well supported over the past couple of days.
However, I’m going to take a chance on another Gordon Elliott-trained runner - PIED PIPER (Each-Way).
He failed to run down Faivoir in this race 12 months ago, going down by the narrowest of margins and with Danny Gilligan’s claim, he’s 1lb below his handicap mark from last year.
Having placed in the Triumph Hurdle, he’s clearly a horse that enjoys the hustle and bustle of a big field around Cheltenham, and I think he can go very close again.
Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
It’s been a fantastic week for Willie Mullins and he can add to his success with READIN TOMMY WRONG in the Albert Bartlett.
He’s unbeaten under rules with four career wins to date including winning the Lawlor’s of Naas Novices’ Hurdle in January.
The step up in trip should only see him improve again and he’s the one they all have to beat for owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede.
Cheltenham Gold Cup
Galopin Des Champs has been impressive in both of his victories this season, but it’s extremely tough to win back-to-back Cheltenham Gold Cup’s, and I’m willing to take him on with two horses.
FASTORSLOW has been runner-up at the Cheltenham Festival twice - in the Ultima last year and the 2022 Coral Cup, but he has defeated Galopin Des Champs twice and I think he could go close in this one.
Victory over the Gold Cup favourite at Punchestown in April and November last year was followed up with defeat to his old rival in the Irish Gold Cup, but connections have sent the horse for wind surgery since that defeat, and he’s primed for a big run.
My other selection is the Grand National winner CORACH RAMBLER (Each-Way), winner of the Ultima here in 2023 and 2022.
This race has been the target for the season, and he arrives here fresh after a break having not been seen since the Betfair Chase in November.
This ground could turn the race into a stamina test, and that’s something Coach Rambler has plenty off - he could well be staying on up the hill at the death and get in the mix.
Festival Hunters’ Chase
The Festival Hunters’ Chase isn’t a race I’d typically have a strong opinion on but FERNS LOCK looks like a solid bet.
He chased home It’s On The Line at Down Royal on Boxing Day when giving his rival 7lbs so from level weights here, he should get the job done under jockey Barry O’Neill.
Mares’ Chase
DINOBLUE is many people’s banker of the week in the Mares’ Chase and I’m finding it hard to find any chinks in her armour.
She won four in a row after finishing 2nd in the Grand Annual here last year and then put in an excellent performance when chasing home El Fabiolo at the Dublin Racing Festival last time out.
Back against her own sex here, she should prove to be a class above her rivals.
Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle
It’s a typically competitive Martin Pipe as punters look to end the Cheltenham Festival on a winning note.
The cash has arrived for WATERFORD WHISPERS this week and he looks like a horse with plenty of untapped potential.
He could have got in here lightly from a mark of 133, and he looks a solid bet to give Henry de Bromhead a first and last race double at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival.
About Aidan Coleman
National Hunt jockey Aidan Coleman has been to the top of the sport, and offers great insight into the big events on Freebets.
We are delighted to be working with Aidan, who needs no introduction to racing fans.
A multiple Grade One-winning jockey, he’s rode three Cheltenham Festival winners, Paisley Park in the 2019 Stayers’ Hurdle followed by Put The Kettle on in the 2020 Arkle, and then the same horse again in the 2021 Champion Chase.
His association with JP McManus has seen him ride Grade One winners Epatante and Jonbon to success.
Aidan Coleman Big Race Wins
- Aintree Hurdle - Epatante (2022)
- Celebration Chase - Jonbon (2023)
- Fighting Fifth Hurdle - Epatante (2020, 2021)
- Henry VIII Novices’ Chase - Jonbon (2022)
- Long Walk Hurdle - Paisley Park (2018, 2020, 2022)
- Top Novices’ Hurdle - Jonbon (2022)
- Maghull Novices’ Chase - Jonbon (2023)
Cheltenham Festival Winners (3)
- Queen Mother Champion Chase - Put The Kettle On (2021)
- Stayers’ Hurdle - Paisley Park (2019)
- Arkle Challenge Trophy - Put the Kettle On (2020)
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