Thursday was a better day for my picks at Cheltenham with the best performance coming from Shishkin who was 2nd. The 1/1 favourite was at the rear early making a mistake at the 6th. He made headway soon after but made another mistake 3 out. He recovered staying on well on the run-in going 2nd close to home without troubling the winner Envoi Allen who came home by 2 3/4 lengths. There was controversy in the Stayers Hurdle with Teahupoo crossing the line in 3rd but he was then promoted to 2nd after the original runner-up Dashel Drasher was deemed by the stewards to have caused interference at the last denying Teahupoo 2nd. In the other race Mighty Potter was 3rd in race won by Stage Star who beat Notlongtillmay by 3 1/4 lengths,in the contest at Dundalk Catherine Of Siena finished 2nd.
Friday is the last day of the Cheltenham festival where 3 final Grade one’s headline the card.
1.30: JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1)
14: Lossiemouth: An exciting horse who beat her stablemate the reopposing Gala Marceau by 7 1/2 lengths at Leopardstown over Christmas completing a hat-trick. She would have beaten her again if it wasn’t for interference at the same track last month but with more to come she can show why she is one of the best and get back to winning ways.
2.50: Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle (Grade 1)
3: Corbetts Cross: Showed more improvement when winning a Grade 2 at Naas last month on his first start for Emmet Mullins. He led inside the final furlong just holding on to beat Found A Fifty by a head. He definitely hasn't reached his full potential yet which puts him top of the shortlist and he can make it 4 in a row here.
3.30: Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (Grade 1)
6: Galopin Des Champs: Was unlucky not to win the Turners here 12 months ago falling at the last when 11 lengths in front. He recovered to win the John Durkan at Punchestown in December and proved how good he is over 3 miles when beating Stattler by 8 lengths in the Irish Gold Cup last month. Despite this race being 2f longer he will be hard to beat.
There is also racing at Down Royal where the main event is at 3.50 and my pick is number 6 Pencilfulloflead.
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