See Andy Newton’s Cheltenham Festival tips for DAY FOUR when the meeting moves into Friday. With the four-day meeting concluding with another top seven-race card that’s, of course, headlined by the Cheltenham Gold Cup (4pm).
Cheltenham Festival Tips – Day Four Best Bets (Friday 13th March, 2026) 🏇
- 1:20pm – JCB Triumph Hurdle: SELMA DE VARY
- 2:00pm – County Hurdle: MURCIA
- 2:40pm – Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase: DINOBLUE
- 3:20pm – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle: THEDEVILUNO
- 4:00pm – Cheltenham Gold Cup: GAELIC WARRIOR
- 4:40pm – St James’s Place Festival Hunter Chase: WONDERWALL / STATTLER (e/w)
- 5:20pm – Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle: WENDROCK (e/w)
Cheltenham Festival Tips and Trends 🏇🏽 📈
Also see Andy Newton’s Cheltenham Festival trends for day four- giving all the key stats based on past history.
Plus catch Andy’s weekly horse racing views and tips on The Final Furlong podcast with host Emmet Kennedy and guests.
- Tuesday 10th March: Cheltenham Tips Day One / Cheltenham Trends and Stats
- Wednesday 11th March: Cheltenham Tips Day Two / Cheltenham Trends and Stats
- Thursday 12th March: Cheltenham Tips Day Three / Cheltenham Trends and Stats
Andy Newton’s 1-2-3 Cheltenham Festival Tips On Friday (Plus Three BIG Stats For Each Race)
1:20pm – JCB Triumph Hurdle
Minella Study and Maestro Conti have impressed in their three wins over hurdles so far and are also both proven CD winners here.
The former won by 6 1/2 lengths here at the December Meeting and the second Winston Junior has since franked the form to win at Ascot.
He’s respected and you feel if this Adam Nicol runner was trained by Nicholls or Hendo he’d probably be favourite.
But this is a race Willie Mullins has farmed in recent years winning 5 of the last 6 and he looks to have another top chance this year with Proactif.
This JP McManus runner has become a bit of a stand in for connections after hot favourite Narciso Has was ruled out of the race recently.
That said Proactif certainly had a chance in his own right after two nice wins in France and last time at Fairyhouse.
He beat stablemate Macho Man that day by just under 3 lengths and can confirm that form again here.
Mullins could also have the filly SELMA DE VARY in the race for Rich Ricci – she gets a handy 7lbs and connections took this in 2023 another star mare – Lossiemouth.
That was her first run for three months and also her first for Mullins so can improve for it. She also didn’t jump the last too well the last day so might have got a bit closer to Narciso Has (4 1/2 lengths).
🥇SELMA DE VARY
🥈PROACTIF
🥉MAESTRO CONTI
KEY STATS 📈
- 5/6 – Trained by Willie Mullins
- 19/28 – Won last time out
- 8/11 – Started careers in France
2:00pm – County Hurdle
Just siding with Willie Mullins or Dan Skelton in the County Hurdle has been an easy way to find the winner – so if it’s not broken why fix it?
The pair have won 90% of the last 10 runnings between them.
Of the Mullins runners, their MURCIA looks a solid option.
She was 8th in the Fred Winter last season at the Festival and then took the Grade 1 Juvenile Hurdle at Aintree in April.
This season she’s been back in fair form too, despite not winning – with a third to Talk The Talk at Fairyhouse.
The last time was fourth at the DRF to Bowensonfire and is only 2lbs higher this time.
Roc Dino is another Mullins one that should be noted in the betting – running second to El Cairos last time.
But all runs have been on soft/heavy. While lat season’s Mares’ Novice Hurdle second SIXANDAHALF could be interesting.
She is still lightly-raced over hurdles (5 runs) and was only beaten 7 1/2 lengths to Wodhooh last time at Leopardstown in December.
The Cromwell horses weren’t in the best of form back then either and she’s been kept fresh since.
Sinnatra could be flying the flag for the Skelton team after a cracking 5 length win at Warwick last time.
While he could have Tellherthename, who is a mare that’s had her issues over the years but is lightly-raced, could be well-handicapped and makes her debut for the yard.
Henderson’s Khrisma should be popular too after a win at Market Rasen, but the Seven Barrows yard are 0-35 in this race this century.
While Elliott runners aren’t much better – he’s 0-27 since 2011.
🥇MURCIA
🥈SIXANDAHALF
🥉TELLHERTHENAME
KEY STATS 📈
- 9 of the last 10 winners trained by Dan Skelton or Willie Mullins
- 20/27 – Aged 5 or 6
- Gordon Elliott 0-27 since 2011, Nicky Henderson 0-35 since 2000
2:40pm – Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase
With the likes of Spindleberry, Diva Luna and this season’s Hennessy winner Panic Attack heading to post, then this year’s running looks a bit stronger.
However, they all might have it to do to beat the current Mrs Paddy Power – DINOBLUE.
She bolted up by 8 1/2 lengths in the race 12 months ago and has returned this season better than ever.
Including wins this year at Fairyhouse and Naas by 7 and 11 lengths.
She’s the top-rated in the field again and ticks most of the main trends with this newer race that’s only seen five runnings.
Those against her might look to her age – as all of the last five winners were younger.
But, as I say, this is a fresh Festival contest, so the trends have to bed-in a bit more.
Dino can make the bookies feel ‘blue’ again and give JP his fifth success in the race.
🥇DINOBLUE
🥈PANIC ATTACK
🥉SPINDLEBERRY
KEY STATS 📈
- 5/5 – Trained in Ireland
- 5/5 – Won last race
- 5/5 – Aged 7 or 8
- 4/5 – JP McManus owned
3:20pm – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
Doctor Steinberg will be popular coming from the Willie Mullins camp, who have won 4 of the last 9 runnings.
He was very impressive last time at Leopardstown in the G1 Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle.
While before that landed beat Thedeviluno at Navan and that horse has since franked the form to win at Donny.
However, I think that form could be overturned over this longer trip.
THEDEVILUNO seemed to improve a lot for that step up to 3m 1/2f last time, when staying on really well in a decent race with some fair sorts in.
Therefore, the Cheltenham hill should be right up his street too.
While I just wonder if he step up in trip is what Doctor Steinberg needs after taking a bit of a hold the last day at Leopardstown.
He’s another that could be well suited by the longer trip.
While Kripticjim has impressed in winning 3 of his 4 starts and outgunned a fair sort in Taurus Bay last time on Trials Day here.
Plus the Tizzards won this with a big-priced runner Kilbricken Storm in 2018.
🥇THEDEVILUNO
🥈KRIPTICJIM
🥉DOCTOR STEINBERG
KEY STATS 📈
- 4/9 – Trained by Willie Mullins
- Gordon Elliott is just 1-16, Henderson 0-15 since 2012
- 18/20 – aged 6 or 7
4:00pm – Cheltenham Gold Cup
Onto the ‘big one’ and it’s all set up to be one of the best Gold Cups for many a year.
Punters will have their feet in many camps – with cases to be made for at least seven or eight.
Two-time winner Galopin Des Champs will miss the Gold Cup after a setback – but he was trying to become the first 10yold winner since Cool Dawn in 1998.
So, he wasn’t for me anyway.
Gaelic To Be The Gold Cup Warrior
His stablemate GAELIC WARRIOR is a player though and this race could be perfect for the 2024 Arkle winner.
We know he’ll stay and barring one mishap at the DRF in 2024 has finished in the top three in all his races for Mullins.
My niggle is that he’s had three tough races this season. But Paul Townend will ride him now and we know he’ll stay.
Haiti Couleurs would have a better chance if it was a slog – I’m not sure he’s quick enough on better ground.
I Can’t Have Last Year’s Winner Inothewayurthinkin
Last year’s winner Inothewayurthinkin is meant to be bad to his best, but a heavy fall last time coupled with some dire runs this season make him hard to fancy.
Yes, we know he loves Cheltenham, but I’m not sure it’s a great look for racing if the Gold Cup winner from last year wins again after putting in some terrible efforts this term.
Grey Dawning is just off Gold Cup level for me, having only beaten a pensioner in Royale Pagaille at Haydock in the Betfair Chase. And was then put in his place last time in the Cotswold Chase by Spillane;s Tower, who could be over-priced here.
But the last Cotswold Chase winner to follow up in the Gold Cup was Looks Like Trouble in 2000.
That leaves King George winner The Jukebox Man, who will be looking to give former Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp another famous win.
He was gutsy that day and will head to the race 4-4 over fences and look to become the first King George winner to land the Gold Cup (same season) since Kauto Star in 2009.
The old boy Envoi Allen will love the ground and could hit the frame at a big price.
Jango The Danger
Jango Baie, who was 4th in that King George, is noted too.
This Nicky Henderson runner ran on well that day to only go down by 1/2 a length, but races as if the longer trip will be just what he needs.
While prior to that Kempton run was a tidy winner of the 1965 Chase at Ascot in November.
Don’t forget he also flew up the hill to win the Arkle last season over 2m – and will be trying to do an Arkle and land both these big Festival races.
And is 2-2 here at Chelts.
Hendo has two Gold Cups to his name with Long Run and Bobs Worth.
While the last horse win win the Arkle and Gold Cup (next season was Alverton in 1978/79 (ridden by Jonjo O’Neill).
So with only six runs over fences I’ll take Jango Baie to find a bit more improvement over the trip and land the Cheltenham Gold Cup prize money.
He’s a big danger unexposed over the trip – but Gaelic Warrior looks the one with least questions to answer.
🥇GAELIC WARRIOR
🥈JANGO BAIE
🥉ENVOI ALLEN
KEY STATS 📈
- Last winner aged 10 or older, Cool Dawn 1998
- 23/26 – Ran in 12 or less chases
- 21/25 – Won or placed at the Festival before
4:40pm – St James’s Place Festival Hunter Chase
Last year’s winner Wonderwall is back for more having raced just once since, which was a win in a point-to-point on November.
But this would have been the big target and we can be sure he’s well tuned up to defend his crown.
We should also see the runner-up from 12 months ago It’s On The Line, who was beaten just a neck.
In fact, It’s On The Line has taken silver in the last three renewals – so maybe that’s the banker of the meeting.
He be thereabouts again and deserves to win this race, but that doesn’t mean he will.
Former NH Chase winner STATTLER stayed on well to win at Fakenham the last day and could go well at a track we know suits.
Plus he gets Patrick Mullins.
Paul Nicholls has won the race four times (winning most trainer) and has recent Taunton winner Golden Son and Shearer.
And the 4th to Golden Sun, a horse called Snipe has won well since top boost that form .
Sam Curling Has Another Leading Fancy
While another Sam Curling horse Wrappedupinmay has been another of the talking horses doing the rounds at the preview nights.
This former Paul Nicholls runner heads here having won his last two points and is still only 8.
Panada Boy and Con’s Roc are others, with the last-named a good third at Down Royal to Mr Silver in this race Its On The Line last time and with only seven career runs in total is very lightly-raced for a 9yold.
However, despite all these chances I keep coming back to Its On The Line being bang there again, but WONDERALL hitting the high notes again.
This race has clearly been his target again and has had a similar prep to 12 months ago, with a 4 1/2 month break.
🥇WONDERWALL
🥈ITS ON THE LINE
🥉STATTLER
KEY STATS 📈
- 16/18 – Won or placed last race
- Only 2 7 year-old winners since 2000
- 9/11 – Aged 10 or 11
5:20pm – Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle
A very tough race to end the 2026 Cheltenham Festival with – but this race has seen just one winning Cheltenham favourite in the last 15.
Nicky Henderson won the first ever running in 2009 with Andytown and his East India Express has been supported.
He was 7th in the race last season and is up 8lbs this time.
Trainer Gordon Elliott has a top record with four of the last nine winners – including last year with Wodhooh.
So anything he runs should be kept onside. While 7 of the last 9 winners were Irish-trained.
With his WENDROCK interesting. He didn’t stay 3m last time on heavy ground so the drop back today and on better ground will help.
He was also 6th in the Fred Winter in 2025 so has tasted the Festival in the past and is rated 2lbs lower this time.
Kel Histoire has been running well in better races than this and was a fair 5th to Storm Heart in a Grade 3 at Gowran Park on Valentine’s Day.
He was also thought good enough to run in the Turners last season (8th). While before that ran Salvator Mundi to 3 lengths at Punchestown in the Grade 2 Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle.
This will be his first try in a handicap and a mark of 137 looks fair to be based on his form.
JP likes this race too – winning it with Iroko and Early Doors since 2019.
Finally, Act Of Authority was a good second in the race last year and is only a pound higher.
🥇WENDROCK
🥈ACT OF AUTHORITY
🥉TIMELESS TREATY
KEY STATS 📈
- 15/17 – Run 8 or less times
- All 17 winners aged 5-7
- Gordon Elliott 4/9
- Only 1 winning favourite
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