Cheltenham, Day Four

There are four meetings taking place this afternoon with the action coming from Cheltenham and Fakenham over the sticks, whilst there are all-weather flat cards from Lingfield and Southwell.  Of course, everybody will be watching the last day from Cheltenham which features the big race of the meeting, the Cheltenham Gold Cup.  David has four runners today; Adagio, Leoncavallo, First Lord de Cuet and Martinhal.  Adagio contests the Grade 1 Triumph Hurdle at 1.20pm and it is a red-hot renewal.  Adagio is very much the forgotten horse of the race - he has course form having won the Triumph Hurdle Trial and bettered that when landing the Finale Hurdle last time.  He won't mind the drying ground and Elham Valley and Houx Gris (well behind him at Chepstow) advertised the form when placed in the Boodles earlier in the week.  I think he can be bang there under Tom Scudamore - let's hope so!

Leoncavallo, First Lord de Cuet and Martinhal all contest the Martin Pipe conditional jockeys' handicap hurdle at 4.50pm.  Leoncavallo has done very well since joining the Pond House team, winning on the flat and over fences and was last seen finishing an excellent sixth in the Cesarewitch.  He is quite exposed for a race of this nature but is tough and consistent, won't mind the drying ground and can go well under Fergus Gillard.

First Lord de Cuet has been in good order this term, finishing in the frame on each of his starts until improving a good deal to win at Wincanton last time.  He is 10lbs higher today in a stronger race, but he is no forlorn hope with conditions likely to suit.  Page Fuller is in the saddle and wouldn't it be incredible if First Lord (who is part-owned by MCP) could win the Martin Pipe?!

Our final runner is Martinhal and he has shown a really likeable attitude to win his last two starts at Exeter from useful types.  He shapes as though this step-up in trip will suit and he is 2lbs ahead of the handicapper.  The drying ground is something of an unknown for him, but should he handle it, it is not difficult to imagine him going well under Richard Patrick.

The rout continued at Cheltenham on day three with the Irish landing six of the seven races and Rachael Blackmore once again grabbing the headlines with a double on the day.  She gave Allaho a great ride to grind her rivals into submission in what had previously looked a very competitive Ryan Chase.

The Shunter was excellent in collecting the £100,000 bonus for landing the Morebattle Hurdle and following up at Cheltenham in the Paddy Power Plate.  He won with plenty in hand and it doesn't look like the handicapper has caught up with him yet.  Meanwhile, Jack Kennedy pulled off an incredible feat to win aboard Mount Ida having been well behind throughout.  He traded at the maximum 999/1 in running before coming clear for an amazing victory.

There's one more chance - let's hope the Brits can fight back today!

*****

Did you hear about the man who was arrested for stealing helium balloons?  After holding him for questioning, the police let him go!