Already been a brilliant week!

Preview: Triumph Hurdle

Willie Mullins has a stranglehold on the JCB Triumph Hurdle (1.30), which he won last year with Vauban. It is hard to know whether Lossiemouth or Blood Destiny will go off favourite.

Mullins trains both that pair and third-favourite Gala Marceau, who rather surprisingly wears a hood for the first time. Lossiemouth was desperately unlucky behind her stablemate at Leopardstown and can reverse the form.

Michael O’Leary on Conflated’s Gold Cup chances

Blackmore: A Plus Tard should run big race

Rachael Blackmore is confident A Plus Tard can produce another strong run in the Gold Cup this afternoon, insisting he is in “great form” ahead of the big race.

“I’m really looking forward to riding A Plus Tard again in the Gold Cup,” Blackmore told Betfair.

“Last year was magic. To go so close on him in 2021, then to go back last year and for him to win it like he did, it was unbelievable. He found another gear up the run-in.

“Obviously, he has not had the most ideal preparation and you’d love to be coming to Cheltenham with a win under his belt. But, that’s the way it is. His work has been good recently, he seems in really good form.

“He is an exceptional horse and we hope he goes well. He’s all good, I rode him out this morning and he’s in great form so I am really looking forward to riding him. He should definitely run a big race.”

Mullins and De Bromhead level

Not quite the dominance from Willie Mullins this year, but he will still likely be finishing the week as the top trainer.

Henry de Bromhead has had an incredible, and emotional week, and he joins Mullins on four winners with Gordon Elliott just one behind. Still in the balance – surely safe to say Mullins won’t be reaching double figures this year!

1 – Willie Mullins 4-5-7

2 – Henry de Bromhead 4-2-0

3 – Gordon Elliott 3-4-5

A closer look at the ground…

Top jockey standings

It’s Paul Townend leading the way at the top of the jockey standings for the Festival. He has three winners to his name heading into the final day, finishing second on another three occasions.

Rachael Blackmore just behind on two winners, so she’s still in what a shout too. Michael O’Sullivan the only other rider to have multiple winners this week.

1 – Paul Townend 3-3-0

2 – Rachael Blackmore 2-1-0

3 – Michael O’Sullivan 2-0-0

Time to get in the mood…

3:30pm: Gold Cup

Talking of the Gold Cup, time for some odds.

Galopin Des Champs at the top of the market, ahead of last year’s winner A Plus Tard. Bravemansgame looks well-capable of running a big race too, could be a special afternoon!

Galopin Des Champs 11/8

A Plus Tard 4/1

Bravemansgame 13/2

Noble Yeats 14/1

Stattler 14/1

Ahoy Senor 16/1

Conflated 18/1

Minella Indo 18/1

Protektorat 22/1

Hewick 33/1

Sounds Russian 33/1

Royale Pagaille 40/1

Eldorado Allen 125/1

Odds via Betfair

Fast start crucial in the Gold Cup

Robbie Power won the Gold Cup in 2017 aboard Sizing John, and he’s been discussing how important a strong start is for the feature race of the Festival.

“The Gold Cup is the one race where there isn’t a whole lot of chatting going on, everyone is really focussed on what they want to do and keeping their mind on the job,” Power told Cheltenham Betting.

“Everyone is happy after two fences because you have to accept your position. Those first two fences in the Gold Cup are very important as they come up very quickly, you need to get out of the gate quickly.

“It is much easier to go back in positions at Cheltenham than it is trying to chase your tail and catch up. The start is massive in the race.”