2024-03-15

Megan Nicholls Cheltenham Festival Day 4 Tips – Gold Cup, BetMGM County Hurdle & more

Every day of the Cheltenham Festival, BetMGM horse racing ambassador Megan Nicholls brings her renowned insight on the biggest week in the sport exclusively to our Cheltenham Hub.

The former jockey, now an award-winning TV pundit, previews the action on the final day of action in Gloucestershire.

Megan casts her eye over the key races on the card including the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the Triumph Hurdle and the BetMGM County Hurdle.

And remember: for the latest odds, specials, profiles, blogs and more visit the BetMGM Cheltenham Festival Hub.

Cheltenham 1.30 – Triumph Hurdle

This is a really wide-open heat. Plenty of the runners have that form that links in together from Leopardstown.

Kargese (6/1) was the winner there but, with a stronger pace on, it might suit some of her stablemates.

I am going to look away from the Willie Mullins team and go for Nurburgring (6/1), who goes for Joseph O'Brien.

This horse has got plenty of experience and has posted some really good efforts hurdling. He wasn't far behind Kargese in the South Dublin Juvenile Hurdle in December – despite having to suffer off a slow pace he stayed strongly.

A good gallop will seriously help this horse improve and, if it does remain dry as predicted, then that will help his chances too.

Megan’s Selection: Nurburgring WIN

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Cheltenham 2.10 – BetMGM County Hurdle

The Skeltons have had a really great week and L'eau Du Sud (4/1 fav) really bounced back last time when running a massive race at Newbury.

The slight concern would be the form at Cheltenham previously, in the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle, but I don't think he performed at his best.

Prior to that he was good in handicaps and I think has a massive chance here in the BetMGM County Hurdle – and the Skeltons will boost what has already been a big week for them as a result.

This is a really open race though and I am also going for Pied Piper (12/1) as an each-way chance.

He's a very solid horse, goes well at Cheltenham and had a narrow defeat in this race last year. He had a top weight in the Coral Cup and ran very well, so that doesn't bother me too much. I think he has a massive chance each-way.

Another horse I would be interested in is Magical Zoe (12/1), who is a very consistent mare and the ground seems fine for her.

Megan’s Selection: L'eau Du Sud WIN; Pied Piper E/W; Magical Zoe E/W

Cheltenham 2.50 – Novices’ Hurdle

I’m so keen on Captain Teague (8/1). He's very well, very talented and ran a huge race in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham last year.

He's a Challow Hurdle winner too, so stepping up in trip from that is a massive plus. Some of these Irish horses have tied in form together but some of them I have question marks over despite them having lots of 1s next to their names.

I don't think Readin Tommy Wrong (2/1 fav) was expected to win last time while High Class Hero (10/1) is stepping up in grade. He was impressive to start with but I still think he requires more.

Captain Teague is proven at this level – I think he has a massive race in him.

Megan's Selection: Captain Teague WIN

Cheltenham 3.30 – Cheltenham Gold Cup

Galopin Des Champs (Evens fav) is going to be very hard to beat.

At his best, he's an absolute monster. He was very impressive last time, just effortless to beat Fastorslow. It was a mighty performance. I still think that Bravemansgame (14/1) can run a big race. He's really, really well. He's had less-than-ideal preparation but he's in the form of his life, he's fresh and connections are very positive.

At a bigger each-way price, Corach Rambler (14/1) does love Cheltenham. He will be able to pick his way through the field and, if there is a good gallop on, he will probably be one of the faster finishes and could sneak into the places.

However, I wouldn't be surprised if it were Galopin Des Champs and Bravemansgame fighting it out once again.

Megan's Selection: Galopin Des Champs WIN

Cheltenham 4.10 – Festival Challenge Cup

It's really tight between a few of these runners.

Its On The Line (6/4 fav), Ferns Lock (10/3) and Billaway (8/1) all have form together while Premier Magic (6/1) was the winner last year and has returned to point-to-pointing in really good form.

Shantou Flyer (40/1) was third last year and he's got a good each-way chance again.

He is overpriced – he's 14 now but has been targeted for this and, with a light campaign building up to it, I wouldn't be surprised to see him running on into the places. So I will be going Shantou Flyer each-way. Olive Nicholls, my sister, is on board and hopefully she has a safe and fun trip round.

It's really hard to split some of the others, it’s really competitive. Its On The Line, not dissimilar to Stayers' Hurdle winner Teahupoo, being now a seven-year-old with an extra year on his back and a bit stronger with a bit more stamina, would make him the one for me.

Megan's Selection: Its On The Line WIN; Shantou Flyer EW

All odds correct at time of publication but subject to change

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