Stephen Welch's Day 4 Cheltenham Festival Racing Tips

Stephen Welch / 7:25 AM GMT • 14th March, 2025

8 minutes

Everytip.com's Stephen Welch gives his Cheltenham Tips for every race on the final day of the Cheltenham Festival.

The final day of a thrilling Cheltenham Festival promises to bring the week to a close in sensational style. I finally got off the mark on Day Three with a couple of big-priced winners in Caldwell Potter and Doddiethegreat and below you’ll find my exclusive horse racing tips for the last seven races of the meeting.

1:20 Cheltenham

JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

HELLO NEIGHBOUR - 6/1

Friday gets underway with the first of the day’s three Grade 1 races with 18 runners confirmed for this year’s JCB Triumph Hurdle. Willie Mullins has trained four of the race’s last five winners including each of the last three. The leading Irish trainer boasts an incredible 11/18 runners this year and his best chance probably sits with Larzac. After a superb Thursday for Rachael Blackmore, her ride Blue Lemons has attracted plenty of interest whilst Lady Vega Allen is one to watch with Paul Townend on board. However, Larzac could be going under the radar on his first ride for the yard. Beaten favourite on his debut over in France on only previous run but could lead from the front under last year’s winning jockey Mark Walsh.

East India Dock and Lulamba are vying for favouritism for the opener and both head into Friday’s race boasting solid form. East India Dock has recorded a hat-trick of hurdle wins since switching to his current yard, including over C&D last time out. Lulamba is 2/2 having impressed at Ascot last time out. East India Dock is my preference from the leading pair but only two of the last seven favourites have won this contest.

The last four Triumph winners have arrived at Cheltenham on the back of a run in Leopardstown’s Spring Juvenile Hurdle so this remains a solid indicator for Friday’s opening race. Four entries have tread the same path this year including Hello Neighbour, Lady Vega Allen, Saint Lucie and Willy De Houelle.

Hello Neighbour is the pick of the quartet and my tip to land the opener for in-form trainer Gavin Cromwell. The Cromwell yard has only had one win so far at this year’s Cheltenham Festival but has seen another eight runners placed. Hello Neighbour is unbeaten in four runs, taking solid flat form into two runs over hurdles, landing a Grade 2 contest at Leopardstown on Boxing Day before returning to land the Grade 1 Juvenile Hurdle last time out.

2:00 Cheltenham

William Hill County Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

VALGRAND - 8/1

Another race dominated by Willie Mullins with his yard accounting for five of the last ten winners of this. Last year’s winner Absurde has every chance again but with Paul Townend switching to stablemate Kargese, I have to assume the latter has a better chance of success here. Runner up in last year’s Triumph Hurdle and will certainly have welcomed January’s runout at Ascot in the Grade 2 Warfield Mares’ Hurdle. Lark In The Morning remains of interest having won the Fred Winter last year but form since has been patchy at best.

My tip for this is one of Britain’s leading hopes as a get behind lightly-raced six-year-old Valgrand for Dan Skelton. Won a Grade 2 contest here at Cheltenham back in October in some style. Not really done much in three runs since but this race would have always been the target for a yard with four wins in the last nine renewals.

2:40 Cheltenham

Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase (Registered As The Liberthine Mares' Chase) (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

ALLEGORIE DE VASSY - 10/3

There are nine runners set to line up for this contest and realistically there are four or five in with a great chance of winning. Limerick Lace won this contest twelve months ago but has been underwhelming in two runs this season. Last seen on New Year’s Day when finishing 25 lengths off Allegorie De Vassy at Fairyhouse.

Last year’s runner up Dinoblue is the red-hot favourite following a solid run in a Listed contest at Naas last time out. There was nothing between Dinoblue and Allegorie De Vassy in that Naas contest and the 2023 runner up certainly looks the better option given the disparity in odds between the Mullins pair.

3:20 Cheltenham

Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) (Registered As The Spa Novices' Hurdle) (GBB Race)

JET BLUE - 7/1

The penultimate Grade 1 contest of the Cheltenham Festival is a wide-open Albert Bartlett. Jet Blue looks like the standout contender for this race, having already proven himself with a Grade 2 victory over three miles here at Cheltenham in December. His decisive win over subsequent Grade 2 winner Yellow Car highlights his class and he boasts strong experience from his time in France before switching to his current yard. Shown versatility in handling good to soft ground, which could be an advantage if conditions aren’t too testing. With a strong mix of stamina and experience, he sets a high standard for the field.

His main challengers are likely to include The Big Westerner, who remains unbeaten over hurdles and impressed in a Grade 2 over 2m7f and Derryhassen Paddy, whose unbeaten record and battling qualities mark him as one to watch. Wendigo and Wingmen both bring strong form, particularly Grade 1 Challow Hurdle runner up Wendigo and he looks primed for a step up in trip. However, Jet Blue's proven course form and some high calibre opposition make him the one to beat.

4:00 Cheltenham

Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

GALOPIN DES CHAMPS - 8/15

History awaits Galopin Des Champs and Willie Mullins' superstar stands out as the one to beat in this year's Gold Cup. His dominance in top-tier races and back-to-back Gold Cup wins set a formidable standard. While his jumping hasn't always been flawless, his ability to recover and impose his authority makes him the class act of the field. Banbridge, fresh off a powerful King George victory, has stamina to prove over this longer trip but could pose a serious challenge if he stays on strongly up the hill. Banbridge may have been stronger in the market had King George runner up, Il Est Francais fared better on Thursday. Corbetts Cross, a proven stayer, looks well suited to this test and could emerge as a strong each-way contender, particularly if the ground softens.

Of the rest, Inothewayurthinkin remains an interesting prospect after showing signs of improvement at Leopardstown, while Ahoy Senor and The Real Whacker need to rediscover past form to figure prominently. Royale Pagaille and Monty’s Star have stamina questions to answer, while Gentlemansgame must find significant improvement.

This isn’t the strongest Gold Cup field I’ve ever seen and barring drama of Champion Hurdle proportions, Galopin Des Champions will emulate Golden Miller, Cottage Rake, Arkle and Best Mate in landing an historic third Gold Cup.

4:40 Cheltenham

St. James's Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase

ITS ON THE LINE - 11/2

Its On The Line is the standout contender for this race, having finished runner up in the last two editions and later winning major hunter chases at Aintree (2m5f, heavy) and Punchestown (3m, yielding) last spring. While his two below-par efforts this winter raise some concerns, his talent is undeniable and he has the class to make amends if bouncing back to form. His versatility across different ground conditions further strengthens his case, making him a strong contender once again.

Among the challengers, Ryehill has been on an upward curve, recently beating both Ontheropes and Its On The Line comfortably at Naas. He’s a lightly raced eight-year-old with more improvement likely, though his best form has come with ease in the ground. Shearer remains unbeaten over regulation fences, and while this is a step up, Paul Nicholls' excellent record in this race makes him a serious threat. Willitgoahead is another rising force, having impressed with his jumping and dominance in a Thurles chase, now making his debut for a powerful new yard. However, Its On The Line’s proven Festival form and recent wins suggest he can finally go one better and claim victory this time.

5:20 Cheltenham

Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

WODHOOH - 5/1

The final race of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival! Wodhooh looks like the one to beat in this competitive handicap. She boasts a perfect 6/6 record over hurdles, with her latest success coming in a strong mares' handicap over C&D. The form has since been franked, with the next three home going on to win notable races. Despite being raised 11lbs, she could still have more improvement to come. Her proven ability to handle Cheltenham and her unbeaten record make her a compelling choice.

Among the challengers, Kopeck De Mee is an intriguing contender making his debut for Willie Mullins, having won a Listed race in France last spring. His opening mark could prove lenient if he brings that form to the UK. East India Express is also unbeaten in handicaps, having secured two impressive wins over 2m5f at Ascot and Kempton, suggesting further progress is likely. Minella Sixo has been consistent and ran well on his only Cheltenham appearance, while Park Of Kings has strong Listed handicap form over this trip. However, Wodhooh’s flawless record, course form, and proven ability against progressive opposition make her the most reliable selection.

Cheltenham Festival Day Four Predictions