Cheltenham Festival concludes on Day 4 after a thrilling opening day to ‘the greatest show on turf’ was followed by more Irish dominance on Day 2 before a British revival sparked by the Skelton brothers yesterday.
The opening two days saw plenty of success for Willie Mullins, who finally hit his historic milestone of a century of victories at the Cheltenham Festival but went winless on St. Patrick’s Thursday. However, he’s trained the favourite of the showpiece race with Galopin Des Champs looking to retain the Gold Cup this afternoon.
Harry Skelton and Paul Townend are vying for the leading jockey title with both sitting on four wins heading into the final day while Rachael Blackmore trails behind on two and could be in contention.
More than 60,000 spectators are expected to flock to Prestbury Park again for the Festival’s conclusion looking to beat the bookmakers, with today’s schedule including the Triumph Hurdle first up at 1.30pm, as well as the County Handicap Hurdle, the Albert Bartless Novices Hurdle, and of course, the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Follow all of our coverage from the 2024 Cheltenham Festival below plus get the best each-way odds and tips for Day 4 here and a full analysis of the best bets in the Gold Cup here:
Galopin Des Champs’ Gold Cup victory secures his place as Cheltenham’s latest legend
Galopin Des Champs wrote his name into the history books with a supreme victory in the Gold Cup on the final day of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival.
Heavily backed at odds of 10/11, the overwhelming favourite backed up his victory from last year with a confident, calm and controlled ride over the three-mile course and ran home by three-and-a-half lengths ahead of Gerri Colombe.
The triumph capped off a superb week for trainer Willie Mullins, who had nine winners – including three on Friday – and jockey Paul Townend, who regained his title as leading jockey at the Festival.
Mike Jones15 March 2024 17:50
Goodbye!
And with that another Cheltenham Festival is in the books. There’s been thrills, there’s been excitement, and history has been made.
Galopin Des Champs is a back-to-back Gold Cup winner. Can he emulate Best Mate and make in three-in-a-row next year? We’ll find out in 2025.
Mike Jones15 March 2024 18:00
Better Days Ahead wins the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle
Here’s the winning moment from the final race at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival:
Mike Jones15 March 2024 17:52
Ireland win the Prestbury Cup
A closing victory for Gordon Elliott, his third of the week, means Irish trainers finish on 19 runs to Britain’s nine – improving on the 18-10 margin we saw in 2022 and 2023.
Just the one win today for Britain as Ireland close out the Festival in style.
Mike Jones15 March 2024 17:46
5.30 – Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle result
1st – Better Days Ahead (D J Gilligan) 5-1
2nd – Waterford Whispers (M P O’Connor) 10-3 Fav
3rd – Quai De Bourbon (M J M O’Sullivan) 4-1
4th – Answer To Kayf (J P Shinnick) 10-1
Mike Jones15 March 2024 17:43
Better Days Ahead wins the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle
It’s Better Days Ahead who has the stronger run in. On the trampled turf he pulls away from Waterford Whispers and crosses the line.
The last race of the Festival is won by a Gordon Elliott horse.
Mike Jones15 March 2024 17:42
5.30 – Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle
As they go over the last Better Days Ahead stays in contention then drifts out wide of Waterford Whispers. Quai De Bourbon is the third in the mix.
Who has the legs to get to the line?
Mike Jones15 March 2024 17:39
5.30 – Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle
As they swing down the hill the field begins to thin out with the leaders pulling away. Waterford Whispers is in charge of the pace. No Ordinary Joe is right in the mix as well. Quai De Bourbon also challenges.
Mike Jones15 March 2024 17:37
5.30 – Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle
Ocastle Des Mottes and Waterford Whispers battle for first place as No Ordinary Joe gallops up to third and sits in behind the front two, tracking them well.
Mike Jones15 March 2024 17:36
5.30 – Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle
Ocastle Des Mottes still has control of the race. It’s only a two mile one so Answer to Kayf decides to make a push forward towards the leaders.
Mike Jones15 March 2024 17:35
