Harry Redknapp rues fading Gold Cup contender however prepared for Spurs name | EUROtoday

Good morning and welcome to our reside protection of the fourth and last day of the Cheltenham Festival as we construct as much as the Gold Cup at 4pm.

Overnight rain has made the going good to mushy, mushy in locations, however with a drying breeze and solely gentle showers forecast at the moment there can’t be any excuses. It stays good National Hunt floor.

What we may name the King George triumvirate – The Jukebox Man, Gaelic Warrior and Jango Baie – are jostling for favouritism on the high of the betting, however the cash this morning has come for Jango Baie, 7/2 from 11/2.

Last yr’s Arkle winner is stepping up in journey, however may very well be the classiest sort within the contest and Nicky Henderson’s horses have usually been working effectively. Nico De Boinville is on board, and is trying to win his second Gold Cup having gained as a conditional jockey on novice Coneygree in 2015.

Harry Redknapp’s The Jukebox Man completed in entrance of Jango Baie and Gaelic Warrior within the King George and is 4 from 4 over fences. He has each probability, however the value is wanting a bit of skinny. Kempton just isn’t at all times the most effective gauge for the Gold Cup, however many consider the stiffer observe will go well with him; The Jukebox Man was crushed by a whisker by Stellar Story over three miles within the Albert Bartlett two years in the past, suggesting he ought to come up the hill.

Gaelic Warrior beat Fact To File within the John Durkan at Punchestown this season, earlier than the positions have been reversed within the Irish Gold Cup. Like Jango Baie, Gaelic Warrior is an Arkle winner so he has a flip of foot. The query mark is perhaps whether or not the Irish Gold Cup run has left him with sufficient within the tank, given the heavy floor at Leopardstown.

A contender who has taken a special route is Welsh and Irish National winner Haiti Couleurs, educated in Wales by Rebecca Curtis. The nine-year-old may very well be within the mould of Gold Cup winner Native River; an out-and-out stayer who will look to make all from the entrance and make this a check of stamina. Front-running has been a fruitful technique this week, however one or two of those might need a contact extra pace.

Last yr’s winner Inothewayurthinkin has had terrible preparation, working three stinkers in Ireland. However, following stories of extra constructive work at Fairyhouse, he was backed in from 18/1 to as brief 6/1 a couple of weeks in the past. The defending champion has softened available in the market since then, and it could require a hell of a revival and coaching efficiency by Gavin Cromwell to maintain his crown.

Before the primary occasion, we’ve got Festival highlights such because the Triumph Hurdle, the County Hurdle and the Albert Bartlett, which have a latest historical past of manufacturing winners and positioned horses at fancy costs.