Betway’s Cheltenham Festival Day 4 Racing Tips: Native River for Gold Cup glory *Promotion*

We start with the 1.30pm Triumph Hurdle, where Phillip Hobbs’ unbeaten Defi Du Seuil (9/4) is eyeing a six-timer. The four-year-old has been a sensation so far, and already has three wins on this course. He won at both the Open and International meeting at the end of last year, while champion jockey Richard Johnson has ridden him on two occasions and will be confident of getting his second win of the week on board here.

One to keep your eye on here is Landofhopeandglory (10/1). Trained by Joseph O’Brien, this four-year-old has been very impressive since making the switch to jumps from flat. He won his first three – twice at Fairyhouse and the other at Punchestown – and has also two-placed finishes under his belt. Dinaria Des Obeaux (22/1) actually beat him last time out, but he looks far more suited to conditions today. Roger Power rides after Mark Walsh’s injury and, after guiding 16/1 shot Supasundae home in the Coral Cup, will be buoyant on his chances here.

North Hill Harvey is among the favourites in this race and he now looks like Dan Skelton’s best chance of a winner this week. The six-year-old has looked quite impressive so far with two wins and two seconds from six rides. Coincidently, both of those wins came on this course and the win last time out in November was his most impressive. He beat the likes of Brain Power, Modus and Sternrubin that day, so he should have a great chance at 8/1.

However, there looks good value with Paint The Clouds. The 12-year-old has vast amounts of experience and also finished third in this race for the past two years. Fifteen wins and six placed-finishes from 30 runs boasts a very impressive career and he always travels well on this course. He comes into the race in good form, having won his last two, and it could be third time lucky in this race as he searches for his third win in a row. At 12/1, he has an each-way chance.

The 4.50pm Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle is the final big handicap of the festival and possibly the last chance to get some big each-way money. One horse that does look good value is Nick Williams’ Coo Star Sivola. The consistent five-year-old has two wins and four places from his seven rides so far. He won on this course on New Years’ Day in the Neptune Novices’ Hurdle and was also a very credible third in the Fred Winter last year. Lizzie Kelly seems to know how to get the best out of this horse and with four places on offer, 12/1 looks big value.

Another big each-way shout comes from the Gordon Elliott yard with Champagne Classic. The six-year-old is yet to finish outside the top three with two wins, three seconds and two thirds. The win at Thurles last month was his most impressive so far with a great ride from Jack Kennedy. It will be interesting to see how he copes with his first ride outside Ireland, but he should hold some each-way chance at 28/1.

Le Prezien has looked very impressive from his 10 runs so far, notching up five wins, four seconds and one third. The six-year-old has already won on this course after victory in a Grade 2 in November, so should be confident today. He’s only been beaten home by the likes of Yorkill, Top Notch, Baron Alco, Charbel and Its’afreebee which are all top-quality horses. A real battler and proven to battle over this distance, he looks really good value at 5/1.

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