TEMPLEGATE tackles the final day of Cheltenham confident of ending the week with a bang – even if it has been a rough ride for punters.
The big race of the day is the Gold Cup, which is due off at 4pm.
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CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2025 LIVE: LATEST TIPS AND RESULTS FROM THE GREATEST SHOW ON TURF
Willie Mullins’ all conquering hero Galopin Des Champs is going for a hat-trick in the big race.
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LULAMBA (1.20 Cheltenham, nap)
Hammered a big field on debut in France and was promptly bought by top connections and sent to Nicky Henderson who has an excellent record in this race. His first British run at Ascot last time was eyecatching as he showed high cruising speed to see off a nice prospect without breaking sweat. East India Dock is a much tougher nut to crack but there’s lots of improvement to come and he looks well up to Triumph standard.
BRIDES HILL (2.40 Cheltenham, nb)
She finished off last season really strongly with a 21-length victory in this grade at Punchestown the highlight. She has been brought along slowly this campaign by Gavin Cromwell with just two runs under her belt. She wasn’t asked too many questions when jumping around Huntingdon last time in second place. Her best efforts have come over this distance with a little give in the ground and she can show her true colours today.
ANGELS DAWN (4.40 Cheltenham, treble)
She can sprout wings to make up for last year’s disappointment in this race. That was the last time she ran under Rules and she was looking good for at least a place before departing at the second-last. She has been in prolific form in Irish point to points building up to this race and her mares’ 7lb weight allowance could make all the difference.
Templegate’s race-by-race guide to day four at Cheltenham
1.20 JCB Triumph Hurdle
LULAMBA can give Nicky Henderson a record eighth Triumph Hurdle win.
He looked brilliant when winning at Ascot with more to come. East India Dock clocked a fast time and is the one to beat with Hello Neighbour booked for third.
Here’s my guide to the field and ratings for each horse out of five stars:
BLUE LEMONS 3 stars
SHARP Lemons. Fair handicapper on the Flat and took well to hurdling when winning in a big field on debut at Gowran. He showed good pace and is no forlorn each-way hope.
CHARLUS 2
CHAR burned. Bits of form on the level in France including when second in a Listed. Cost nearly £300,000 looked decent when winning on hurdles debut at Naas. Needs a lot more for this.
EAST INDIA DOCK 4
EAST a beast. Had already won here before clocking a blistering time in taking the Trial for this in January. He jumps well and clearly has lots of speed. His 11 runs on the Flat is a bit of a worry as that’s more than usual. But he looks well up to the standard you need for this race and we know he likes Cheltenham.
GIBBS ISLAND 3
ISLAND no fantasy. Decent on the Flat and has won both hurdles runs with ease especially at Haydock last time. He likes this trip and trainer Tom Lacey is in decent form. Needs a big step forward to win but one of the better outsiders.
HELLO NEIGHBOUR 3
SAY Hello. Has already won a Grade 1 and 2 contest and was on the bridle for much of the way at Leopardstown last month. He likes this trip and decent ground suits best. Another one who looks short of the big two but is clear best of the rest at an each-way price.
LARZAC 2
ZAC attack. Has moved to Willie Mullins after being snapped up by JP McManus following a promising debut at Auteuil in October. This seems a little ambitious for his second outing unless the market really speaks in his favour.
LULAMBA 5
LAMB will chop ’em. Hammered a big field on debut in France and was promptly bought by top connections and sent to Nicky Henderson who has an excellent record in this race. His first British run at Ascot last time was eyecatching as he showed high cruising speed to see off a nice prospect without breaking sweat. East India Dock is a much tougher nut to crack but there’s lots of improvement to come and he looks well up to Triumph standard.
MARCHE D’ALIGRE 1
PROTEST Marche. Like most of these he started in France but on the Flat with little promise. He won on UK debut for Jamie Snowden and wasn’t disgraced in a Chepstow Grade 2 at Christmas before a disappointing run at Haydock last time. Plenty to find after that.
MONDO MAN 2
MAN hunt. Best of these on the Flat with a French Derby fifth last year. No match for Lulamba on hurdles debut for the Moores at Ascot last time and pulled too hard when third in the Adonis at Kempton. First-time hood should help but questions to answer after that poor effort.
PAPPANO 1
PAP snap. Flat handicap winner for John Gosden who moved to Willie Mullins for £200,000. Tall order on hurdles debut but have a market check.
PONIROS 2
ONE to Pon-der. Bought by super shrewd Brighton owner Tony Bloom for £200,000 despite fairly modest Flat form. Watch the betting for clues ahead of this hurdling debut.
TOO BOSSY FOR US 1
BOSSY told off. Modest handicapper on the Flat who cost £330,000 thanks to being by Golden Horn out of a High Chaparral mare. Makes his debut for Willie Mullins. Market will be the best guide.
WILLY DE HOUELLE 2
WILLY won’t. Beaten more than four lengths by Hello Neighbour at Leopardstown where he seemed to enjoy being held up. Would have been better off in a handicap.
LADY VEGA ALLEN 3
ALLEN key. Paul Townend’s pick of the Mullins team after a close third behind Hello Neighbour last time. Didn’t enjoy the muddling pace there and likely to get a more truly run race today which should suit. Can improve and has solid each-way claims especially with the extra-place bookmakers.
LUMIERE DU LARGE 2
LARGE one. Won on Flat debut in France and showed some promise when second jumping hurdles for the first time in Pau. Has moved to Mullins since but looks way down the pecking order on jockey bookings at least.
OPEC 1
PEC wreck. Won a Listed contest at Newbury in November but has been beaten a distance twice since.
PLACE DE LA NATION 2
IN his Place. Looked very novicey when second at Fairyhouse on his debut for Willie Mullins. Will need a lot more than that.
SAINTE LUCIE 2
SAINTE a sinner. Showed promise winning at Punchestown in December but was a distant last in a Grade 1 last time and hard to make a case for.
2.00 William Hill County Handicap Hurdle
HANSARD gets my vote. He was Grade 1 level as a juvenile for the Moores and landed a decent handicap at Newbury last season before missing a whole year.
It’s taken him a little while to hit top gear after that but he was an excellent third behind Champion Hurdle 1-2 Golden Ace and Burdett Road in the Kingwell at Wincanton last time and looks on a very fair mark.
This trip is ideal and he won’t be far away.
Last year’s winner Absurde has 8lb more to contend with this time but he has since run a brilliant race on the level in the Melbourne Cup and his quality will take him a long way.
It has to be telling though that Paul Townend gets off him to ride stablemate Kargese.
She was second in last year’s Triumph Hurdle and took Grade 1 honours at Punchestown.
She went close on comeback at Ascot and hasn’t been clobbered by the handicapper.
Emmet Mullins has a big player in McLaurey who scored in a big field on handicap debut at Leopardstown latest.
He’s a harsh 16lb higher today but looks progressive.
Ndaawi was last in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket on his latest run. He was second in the Galway Hurdle before that so should take to this test.
Valgrand won a Grade 2 by 17l here in October and has been aimed at this by the Skeltons.
2.40 Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase
BRIDES HILL finished off last season really strongly with a 21-length victory in this grade at Punchestown the highlight.
She has been brought along slowly this campaign by Gavin Cromwell with just two runs under her belt.
She wasn’t asked too many questions when jumping around Huntingdon last time in second place.
Her best efforts have come over this distance with a little give in the ground and she can show her true colours today.
Dinoblue should really have won this race 12 months ago when beaten three-quarters of a length after leaving her challenge too late.
She has been kept to two miles since then and survived a mistake to win a three-runner Listed contest at Naas last month. She should be right there again.
Allegorie De Vassy was the close second to her last time and isn’t out of this.
She was beaten six lengths in this 12 months ago and something similar looks on the cards again.
Last year’s winner Limerick Lace has struggled on all three runs since and was 25 lengths off the pace when behind Allegorie De Vassy on New Year’s Day.
She didn’t look happy and the break needs to have done her good.
There’s a fair gap on form to the others with Shecouldbeanything yet to strike at this level.
She sees out this distance but needs to raise her game to hit the frame.
Fontaine Collonges has lost her way and needs a lot more cut in the ground.
Royale Margaux enjoyed returning to hurdles for a good Warwick win and isn’t usually as good when chasing.
Mayhem Mya and Je T’Ai Porte look well out of their depth with the latter falling in a modest handicap at Listowel when last seen in September.
3.20 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
JASMIN DE VAUX won the Champion Bumper here last year and can strike on his first run here since then.
He kicked off over hurdles with a good win against 24 rivals at Navan in December.
He has found things a bit trickier at Grade 1 level since but he shapes as though moving up to this three-mile trip will bring out the best in him.
It says a lot that Paul Townend has chosen him of the Willie Mullins team.
Wingmen finished ahead of the selection at Leopardstown last month when up with the pace for a long way over 2m6f.
He’s another who should have no worries getting home.
The Big Westerner has run just twice and started with a modest victory at Punchestown in November.
She left that form behind when taking a Limerick Grade 2 on Boxing Day over close to this trip.
Her 7lb mares’ allowance will come in very handy and could make all the difference.
Wendingo’s decent second behind The New Lion in the Challow has been franked this week and he was an easy winner at Wetherby last time.
He will be on the premises if seeing out this extra half-mile.
French raider Jet Blue got the job done nicely in a Grade 2 here in December.
He made a couple of errors but his engine got him up the hill for a convincing victory.
That was over this trip and he’s one of the few in the field who has no questions to answer about his stamina.
Fishery Lane took a big step forward when winning by nine lengths at Fairyhouse latest.
He was fifth in the Champion Bumper so handles Cheltenham and has an each-way shout.
Nativehill had 16 lengths in hand when getting off the mark over hurdles at Huntingdon earlier this month.
He still seemed pretty green but wasn’t stopping over 2m4f and should appreciate the longer trip.
Ballow Boy only had two to beat when taking a Grade 3 at Clonmel last time but he stayed well and should take a step forward on his fifth run over timber.
Flicker Of Hope has been busy and was third in a big-field handicap at Leopardstown after good wins at Galway and Navan. This is tougher but he may raise his game.
4.00 Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase
GALOPIN DES CHAMPS can join Best Mate and Arkle on three Gold Cup wins.
Willie Mullins’ star is in a league of his own and has beaten most of today’s foes before.
Banbridge will have to run the race of his life to trouble the champ and can take second ahead of the game Monty’s Star.
Here’s my guide to the field and ratings out of five stars:
AHOY SENOR 1 star
AHOY there. Fell in this two years ago and has been struggling this season. Is a Grade 1 winner but makes too many mistakes and hard to fancy despite his yard’s good form.
BANBRIDGE 4
BAN-tastic. Collared Il Est Francais to win the King George when he wasn’t stopping at the end of three miles. I’m not totally convinced of his stamina but he’s got a lot of class and is an excellent jumper. He must have nothing worse than good to soft ground though or he doesn’t win over any trip.
CORBETTS CROSS 2
CROSS off. Won the National Hunt Chase here last season so likes the track and won’t be wanting in the stamina department. Was a solid second in the Ascot Chase over too short last time and could do with the ground being a lot softer.
GALOPIN DES CHAMPS 5
GALOPIN into the history books. One of the best chasers of the 21st Century who has won his two Gold Cups with lots in hand. He has looked better than ever this season and goes on any ground. Would be the biggest shock in a week full of them if he’s beaten.
GENTLEMANSGAME 1
GAME over. Pulled up in this last year and little to suggest he’ll do much better this time around.
INOTHEWAYURTHINKKIN 3
WAY to go. Fancied for the Grand National thanks to his staying power, he was just getting going at the end of the Irish Gold Cup last time. Not quick enough to win but could pick up place pieces and get connections their £25,000 supplementary fee back.
MONTY’S STAR 3
STAR quality. Almost four stars because he’ll love this trip and has been staying on behind Galopin a couple of times this season. Another who could run into the frame.
ROYALE PAGAILLE 2
PAG not my bag. Has been fifth and twice sixth in this race and landed a Grade 1 win in the Haydock mud earlier this season. Likes the track and stays well but in his own time.
THE REAL WHACKER 2
UN-Real. Won 2023 Brown Advisory and usually runs well here. Distant fourth in the King George last time and he’s likely to stay this trip. But looks a way off this level.
4.40 St. James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase
ANGELS DAWN can sprout wings to make up for last year’s disappointment in this race.
That was the last time she ran under Rules and she was looking good for at least a place before departing at the second-last.
She has been in prolific form in Irish point to points building up to this race and her mares’ 7lb weight allowance could make all the difference.
Shearer boasts winning course form and trainer Paul Nicholls has won this four times in the past 20 years.
He looked a proper stayer when winning at Taunton and gets on well with trainer’s daughter Olive.
Its On The Line has Derek O’Connor in the saddle like 12 months ago when he was beaten less than a length in this race.
He went on to take the Foxhunter at Aintree and Punchestown.
It’s a slight worry that he’s been runner-up in the past two runnings but he’s only eight so should be right there again.
Willitgoahead is a regular winner in the pointing field and has moved to Gordon Elliott since his January win at Thurles.
He has plenty of staying power and has solid place claims.
Fairly Famous has won two lesser hunter chases around here and that proven liking for the track will be an asset.
He’s fit from pointing and could run into the places at fair odds.
Ryehill survived a bad blunder to win easily in the end at Naas last month.
He was fourth in the Championship race at Punchestown last season and a repeat of that would give him a place squeak again.
Allmankind has been hurdling at a high level but won both his point-to-points so could figure.
5.20 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle
MINELLA SIXO was going very nicely at Haydock last time before taking a clumsy fall three out.
He’s back from the same mark here and he was performing with credit in Graded company earlier this season.
He likes this trip and trainer Gordon Elliott has a good record in this race.
Kopeck De Mee is the unknown factor for Willie Mullins and JP McManus.
It’s hard to know precisely how much more weight he should be carrying based on his French form, but it’s plenty!
He was an easy Listed winner at Auteuil last time out in May. The one potential spanner is that his form has all been on very testing ground so quicker conditions would be an unknown.
Wodhooh was impressive when winning a hot handicap here in December and the form has been franked. She’s up 11lb but looks a danger.
Act Of Authority has won a couple of times this season and is a threat over this trip, along with Park Of Kings who caught the eye at Leopardstown latest and should stay.
No Ordinary Joe is another to watch after a good Warwick fourth.
Templegate’s tips
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