The Cheltenham Festival is in full swing as we approach the final day of a drama-filled week.
It's been another extraordinary festival with return of the famous roar and after Friday attention will turn to the Grand National at Aintree.
Before that there's another excellent day of racing including the big one- the Gold Cup.
Our man Garry Owen picks out his best bets and selections for the final day.
GALVIN (3.30) can gallop his Gold Cup rivals into oblivion on the final day of the Festival.
Gordon Elliott’s horse relished this track when bolting up in a hot novices’ event in October 2020.
The eight-year-old oozed class again when easily landing last year’s National Hunt Chase back here.
He showed he was even better over three miles when scoring cosily on his return at Punchestown in October. The gelding then proved he belongs in Grade One company when chinned by Frodon at Down Royal.
The son of Gold Well improved again when denying A Plus Tard in the Savills at Leopardstown. The superstar is tailor-made for the Blue Riband so should power home up the infamous hill.
Elliott can dominate the day, starting with PIED PIPER (1.30) in the Triumph Hurdle.
The four-year-old was a pretty useful performer on the flat for champion trainer John Gosden. That form saw him purchased for a timber career by Caldwell Construction.
The gelding rewarded that confidence by outpointing the classy Vauban on debut at Punchestown on Hogmanay.
He then booked his place here by hacking up in Grade Two company over course and distance. There is plenty to come from a pacy type who should topple exciting rivals.
The Meath maestro looks set to bag a treble with GINTO (2.50) in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.
The gelding capped a productive bumper career by hammering Shantreusse at Navan last February.
The six-year-old stayed 2m 4f well when routing Benny The Duke on his timber bow on return come November.
He shrugged off a step up to Grade Two level when slaying the useful Eric Bloodaxe at the same venue a month later.
The son of Walk In The Park excelled when crushing Grand Jury in a Naas Grade One in January. The bay has been very strong at the finish in all his races so should strike again over three miles.
MOUNT IDA (4.50) can make it four for Elliott in the Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase.
The eight-year-old showed class and guts to land the Kim Muir over 3m 2f last year.
She proved better over 2m 4f when downing Scarlet And Dove at Clonmel in November.
The daughter of Yeats recorded a career best when denying Elimay at Fairyhouse and there is plenty more to come from this talented type.
The trainer stands to bag a five-timer with CHEMICAL ENERGY (5.30) in the Martin Pipe Hurdle.
The six-year-old decisively landed his first two bumpers, only to come up short in graded company.
But he bounced back when showing Fancy A Cosmo no mercy on his timber bow at Navan. The gelding ran another stormer when second to My Mate Mozzie in a Grade Three at the same venue.
The son of Well Chosen relished returning to 2m 4f when routing Lunar Display at Fairyhouse in November.
This big prize has been the target ever since so he can capitalise on an inviting mark.
Lorna Fowler looks set to claim the County Hurdle with COLONEL MUSTARD (2.10).
The gelding was third to Echoes In Rain in a Fairyhouse Grade Three last April and
got a lot closer to that rival when second in the Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown.
The seven-year-old then enjoyed a nice confidence booster when cruising to victory at Galway.
The son of Makfi stayed on the upgrade when chasing home Supreme second Jonbon at Ascot in December. He made the best of another bad job when giving Sir Gerhard resistance at Leopardstown.
That is the best form on offer in a trappy event so this classy type should prevail.
WINGED LEADER (4.10) can rise to the challenge for David Christie in the Foxhunters Chase. The gelding showed Wrong Direction no mercy at Tramore last April to kick off his winning streak.
The eight-year-old posted a cracking effort when coasting clear in a Necarne point. The son of Winged Love hosed up again from Warriors Tale back under rules at Listowel.
He showed a willing attitude to dead heat with Mighty Stowaway at Loughbrickland.
The bay then looked better than ever when scalping star hunter Billaway returned to Thurles in January. This strong traveller remains progressive so can land his division’s biggest prize of all.
Away from the Festival, Ben Pauling’s STOKES (1.20) ought to go one better at Doncaster after his second to Enlighten at Sedgefield.
DOUGLAS TALKING (2.00) should make light of a well-earned 7lb hike to continue Lucinda Russell’s stellar week.
Fergal O’Brien remains on song so it’s worth backing MANOTHEPEOPLE (4.35) to shrug off a reasonable 6lb rise in the three-miler.
And at Fakenham, RIDGEWAY (3.45) can make a winning handicap debut and lift the Country Trust Silver Cup for Dan Skelton.
