Cheltenham Festival LIVE: Latest updates, tips, racecards and results from Day Four as 100-1 outsider stuns East India Dock while Galopin Des Champs looks to defend Gold Cup crown

I remember when he first came. He was a big, tall, leggy, very athletic and you probably wouldn’t have looked at him and known that he was a Gold Cup horse, but he turned into one in the end.

Oh yeah, he knows (what he’s achieved). The more he wins, the bigger he gets in himself. You’ll be trying to wash him off and he’ll be kicking and biting at you. And as the season goes on, he gets a bit bigger and he knows anyway.

With just a few minutes to kill until the start of the next race, who not immerse yourself in the life of one of racing’s most colourful characters?

Mail Sport has the full report on the life of Richard Johnson, below.

Dinoblue – M. P Walsh – 11/8

Brides Hill – Keith Donoghue – 15/4

Allegorie De Vassy – P. Townend – 15/4

Limerick Lace – J. W Kennedy – 9/2

Shecouldbeanything – Danny Gilligan – 12/1

Royale Margaux – Ben Poste – 30/1

Fontaine Collonges – Charlie Deutsche – 40/1

Mayhem Mya – Bryan Carver – 50/1

Je Tai Porte – Shane Fitzgerald – 100/1

Odds courtesy of Paddy Power correct at the time of publication

1. Kargese
2. Ndaawi
3. Absurde
4. Ethical Diamond

She was keen today alright. She’s the heart of a lion. I was in front a lot sooner than I wanted, but it might have helped me that when I got there, she gave herself a bit of air, and that helped her repel at the last.

Who wouldn’t (love Galopin Des Champs, his Gold Cup ride)? Fingers crossed we have a bit of good luck. He’s been here, he’s done it, and hopefully we can go and do it again.

Over the final hurdle, Kargese still has the power and although Ndaawi battles to keep up, it’s another Willie Mullins-trained winner on Cheltenham Friday.

Ndaawi and Kargese are pulling away as they head towards the last hurdle up the hill, and hear comes Absurde…

Kargese jumped it well and moves forward now as they head uphill towards the second-last.

Hansard sticks close by, just in front of Lark In The Morning and Absurde. All tightly clustered still, with Hansard in particular looking for a little room over the second-left.

… with Irish Panther just behind as they all pop safely over hurdle number two.

Our Champ has the lead, very close to Spirit Daunou, just in front of Ndaawi, but he loses ground now over the fifth-last.

Last year’s winner Absurde is still someway back.

A smaller field today take off for their tow mile and a furlong trip, with Hansard in the lead, followed by Ndaawi.

1. Poniros
2. Lulamba
3. East India Dock
4. Lady Vega Allen
5. Place De La Nation

… has a 100/1 shout won a race at Cheltenham. It might not be the Gold Cup, but I reckon that to Poniros’ connections – and anyone who might have backed him – that won’t matter a jot.

Kargese – P. Townend – 3/1

Lark In The Morning – J. J Slevin – 5/1

Absurde – D. E Mullins – 9/2

Mclaurey – M. P Walsh – 7/1

Valgrand – Harry Skelton – 8/1

Daddy Long Legs – S. F O’Keeffe – 14/1

Hansard – Niall Houlihan – 16/1

Ethical Diamond – P. W Mullins – 14/1

Irish Panther – Cian Cullinan – 16/1

Pinot Gris – Keith Donoghue – 14/1

Our Champ – Freddie Gordon – 22/1

Ndaawi – J. W Kennedy – 30/1

Spirit Daunou – Freddie Mitchell – 33/1

Cracking Rhapsody – Craig Nichol – 22/1

Norman Fletcher – Sam Twiston-Davies – 50/1

Fils Doudairies – Danny Gilligan – 80/1

Odds courtesy of Paddy Power correct at the time of publication

Just three days after sharing his harrowing victim impact statement after the sentencing of Kyle Clifford, who murdered his wife Carol and daughters Louise and Hannah. Hunt has, as expected, been so supported by the racing world in the wake of the tragedy, and his return will be welcomed and celebrated by so many.

He offers his thoughts on Tony Bloom’s canny recruitment process – for horses and humans alike, on BBC 5Live:

There’s a little bit of mystery around it but I am led to believe that he does do similar analytical work to horses and footballers. I think he applies very similar principles.

The Brighton owner came to Cheltenham with some big hitters, and it’s a horse that Willie Mullins was preparing for the 2026 Festival that has stolen all of their thunder.

It’s crazy, it’s a funny old game. I was supposed to be in Doncaster today, then my agent called me and said that Willie needed someone.

That’s his first ever appearance over hurdles in public, it’s fantastic.

He’s actually very good, he’d been very straightforward, but first time out in the Triumph…

I felt coming down the hill I was going to definitely nick a bit. Stamina just kicked in, and it’s just mental.

It’s the horse’s debut and a 100-1 shout, and after taking the final hurdle, Poniros streaks ahead from out of nowhere, leaving Hello Neighbour and East India Dock, and Lulamba, in his dust.

What a win for Jonjo O’Neill Jr! That’s right, 100-1.

And turning on the afterburners…

Place De La Nation also moves forward with two to go. Things are still looking competitive over the second-last, but Lulamba and East India Dock are looking feisty now and pulling up the hill for the final hurdle…

And drops out of content as Lady Vega Allen takes the lead ahead of the third-last.

Lulamba and East India Dock, the two rivals, are second and third.

One of the strongest talking horses in the field keeps close to Opec, with East India Dock also chasing.

Lady Vega Allen is in that early cluster, with Blue Lemons, Charlus and Hello Neighbour buried in the midpack.

Too Bossy For Us is the back marker heading over the third hurdle, as Lady Vega Allen heads into the lead.

There’s no false start this time, a rarity this week, as Opec leads the hurtling pack just ahead of the first hurdle.

Instead, East India Dock is trained by British trainer James Owen. The punters will be looking to give the bookies an early poke in the eye with this four-year-old.

You’d hope so. But not just because the King of Cheltenham is streaking away with the leading trainer prize like Desert Orchid, but the fact that Closutton has 11 runners in the Triumph Hurdle.

Not that it’s a numbers game…

I think he can. But loads of people thought Constitution Hill would, lots of people thought Majborough would, lots of people thought Jonbon would, Teahupoo.

But for me, he’s everything you want in a gold cup horse. He settles, he stays, he jumps.

There’s just over 15 minutes until our day kicks off with the first race, so why not take a look at who to back?

East India Dock – Sam Twiston-Davies – 5/4

Lulamba – Nico de Boinville – 11/4

Hello Neighbour – Keith Donoghue – 9/2

Blue Lemons – Rachael Blackmore – 11/1

Lady Vega Allen – P. Towenend – 10/1

Gibbs Island – Stan Sheppard – 20/1

Mondo Man – Brian Hughes – 20/1

Larzac – M. P Walsh – 30/1

Willy De Houelle – B. Hayes – 35/1

Sainte Lucie – D. E Mullins – 35/1

Charlus – S. F O’Keeffe – 50/1

Too Bossy For Us – Harry Cobden – 70/1

Place De La Nation – J. W Kennedy – 125/1

Pappano – Sean Flanagan – 125/1

Poniros – Jonjo O’Neill Jr – 110/1

Lumiere Du Large – K. C Sexton – 200/1

Opec – Sean Bowen – 150/1

Non-runner: Marche D’Aligre

Odds courtesy of Paddy Power correct at the time of publication

In case you missed it, yesterday Peter Crouch had a wager with one Paddy Power – if a British runner won the Stayers’ Hurdle, pints would be on the bookmaker in the Guinness Village.

And if an Irish runner triumphed…

Heading into the final day of the festival, the Irish lead 13-8 in the Prestbury Cup.

A huge day for trainer Henry de Bromhead and jockey Rachael Blackmore yesterday helped the constigency from across the pond grow their lead even more.

Whilst Daily Present under Barry Stone ran an absolute blinder to make sure the Irish finished on a high, as they stormed to victory for Paul Nolan in the Kim Muir Handicap Chase.

the JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1) at 1:20pm.

He may be up against a special talent in LULAMBA. The French import gave Mondo Man 10lb and brushed him aside at Ascot in January. He looks to have multiple gears.

Hello Neighbour, best of the Irish, efficiently won the Grade One juvenile hurdle at Leopardstown last month.

Mondo Man may have been beaten by Lulamba but he was the classiest of these on the Flat and will get more suitable ground for the first time over jumps, so he appeals as a long shot.

SELECTION: LULAMBA…………………………..5-2

MAIN DANGER: EAST INDIA DOCK……………………….2-1

LIVE OUTSIDER: MONDO MAN………………………..25-1

See who else Townend has tipped to win throughout the final day of the festival.

Speaking to ITV Racing, Henry de Bromhead reacts to a successful day 3 at the Cheltenham Festival for himself and Rachael Blackmore:

Expecting would be a strong word. Always hoping.

They seemed in good form and as we said they were running well the day before so it was lovely to get a couple. Incredible!

Air of Entitlement was really good and sure Bob [Olinger] was amazing, that was a big one. Rachael brilliant on them.

He seems really well, were hoping.

He has sort of didn’t get a clear run through the season, so feel we’ve got him here now as good as we can.

She may not be on a favourite today but that by no means you should count out the former Gold Cup winning jockey.

As Mail Sport’s Dominic King highlighted she was at her very best on St Patrick’s Thursday.

The Tipperary native showed her class yesterday claiming two victories, firstly on outsider Air Of Entitlement, a 16/1 scorer in the Mares Novices Hurdle who breezed past clear favourite Sixandahalf in the opening race.

Before she rolled back the years on Bob Olinger.

‘The Queen of Cheltenham’ reigned supreme yesterday and she will be hoping she can carry her dominance into the final day of the festival.

So far the 2025 Cheltenham has delivered the drama with unexpected winners seemingly coming ftom nowhere.

It was no more so evident than in the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday when unfancied outsider Golden Ace claimed victory ahead of favourites Constitution Hill and State Man who both fell out the race.

Ahead of the highly anticipated Gold Cup and a supercomputer

has predicted who will win the coveted trophy.

Galopin Des Champs, jockey: Paul Townend, trained by Willie Mullins – 4/7

Inothewayurthinkin, jockey: Mark Walsh, trained by Gavin Cromwell – 13/2

Banbridge, jockey: J. J Slevin, trained by Joseph O’Brien – 7/1

Monty’s Star, jockey: Rachael Blackmore, trained by Henry de Bromhead, 9/1

Corbett’s Cross, jockey: Jack Kennedy, trained by Emmet Mullins – 12/1

The Real Whacker, jockey: Brian Hughes, trained by Patrick Neville – 33/1

Gentlemansgame, jockey: Darragh O’Keeffe, trained by Mouse Morris – 40/1

Ahoy Senior, jockey: Derek Fox, trained by Lucinda Russell – 50/1

Royale Pagaille, jockey: Charlie Deutsch, trained by Venetia Williams – 100/1

Odds courtesy of Paddy Power correct at the time of publication

It’s been an emotional Festival so far, between Golden Hour on Wednesday in honour of the late Michael O’Sullivan, and Rachael Blackmore completing her feature-race set yesterday on the day of her cousin Robert’s funeral.

But, as Mail Sport columnist ED CHAMBERLIN notes, there’s still one more day for magic in the West Country.

Grade One and Cheltenham Festival winning jockey Lizzie Kelly is back to take you through the seven races on day four.

Galopin Des Champs is the story of the day, with the history-hunting nine-year-old stallion chasing a third success on the bounce to join a very elite club.

For Kelly it’s difficult to look past him in the Gold Cup at 4pm, but has she gone with the heavy favourite Dinoblue in the Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase at 2.40pm?

• Triumph Hurdle, 1.20pm
• County Hurdle, 2pm
• Mares’ Chase, 2.40pm
• Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, 3.20pm
• Gold Cup, 4pm
• St James’ Place Hunters’ Chase, 4.40pm
• Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle, 5.20pm

Stop right there! Where do you think you’re going, without having a leaf through Paddy Power’s expert tipsters’ thoughts on the final day of the Festival.

With seven races to get through, there’s a lot of opinions to consider, below.

Massive day. We’re really looking forward to it.

He’s going to love this ground, the extra two furlongs will be a help to him, and look, Galopin is the one we all have to beat, but we’ll be giving it our best shot.

Without further ado, here’s your final serving of Cheltenham Breakfast, Mail Sport’s DOMINIC KING’s daily dose of all things Festival.

You wouldn’t consider beginning your day without it, would you?

Temperatures dropped to a frosty minus three and a half last night in the West Country, but as Clerk of the Course Jon Pullin explains, all the racing lines were covered.

And it’s business as usual: the going remains good to soft.

Galopin Des Champs was out on the gallops this misty morning, looking in rip-roaring form, and utterly at home.

As his groom Adam Connolly explained to Racing TV:

(It’s his) home from home. He came off the lorry yesterday, he stood on the ramp and he looked around, and he knew where he was.

Hello and welcome to Mail Sport’s live coverage on the crescendo of this year’s Cheltenham Festival – Gold Cup day, our final at Prestbury Park.

This year’s race could end up being one for the history books, as Willie Mullins’ towering Galopin Des Champs goes for his third Gold Cup in a row, and etches his name into the annals of true greats.

Or will one of his rivals spoil the party? In a meeting that has seen no shortage of upsets, Banbridge, Inothewayurthinking, and Monty’s Star are among those who should not be ruled out on the day.

Our feature race will be getting underway at 4pm, but until then, there’s lots of action for us to sink our teeth into.

Let’s get underway, shall we?