Twiston-Davies gets the nod on tight fourth day

We take a quick look at the main rides for the leading David Power Jockeys’ Cup jockeys on day four of the Cheltenham Festival following the six-day entry stage.      

Harry Skelton  

Best ride: Valgrand in the County Hurdle 

This looks to be Harry Skelton’s quietest book of rides of the week, and it’s worth pointing out that David Power Jockeys’ Cup points could be at a premium on Friday as conditional/amateur riders take up the last two races on the card. Dan Skelton has been bullish about the claims of Valgrand – a Grade 2 winner at the track in October – in the County Hurdle and that looks his brother’s best ride on the day. 

Harry Cobden  

Best ride: Palladium in the Triumph Hurdle 

Harry Cobden picks ups a fine spare ride in the opening race on day four, with Palladium passed over by Nico De Boinville in the Triumph Hurdle. German Derby winner Palladium was in the spotlight on his hurdling debut at Huntingdon after changing hands for €1,400,000 in October, but won tidily enough and his form has been franked. County Hurdle contender Kabral Du Mathan looks the pick of Cobden’s other rides, for all his Albert Bartlett ride Ma Shantou should enjoy that test of stamina. 

Sam Twiston-Davies  

Best ride: East India Dock in the Triumph Hurdle 

Sam Twiston-Davies’s Friday rests on East India Dock in the Triumph Hurdle. Currently joint-favourite for the race, the James Owen-trained gelding carries plenty of confidence behind his challenge after three wins, two coming at Cheltenham including a demolition of  Fred Winter favourite Stencil in January.  

Nico De Boinville  

Best ride: Lulamba in the Triumph Hurdle 

After some speculation, Nico De Boinville has chosen to ride Lulamba in the Triumph Hurdle and he is the other joint-favourite for the race following an impressive British debut at Ascot in January. He lacks the experience of East India Dock but his trainer is a master with these juveniles. More sepecualtive rides on the day for De Boinville could include First Street, if he reverts to smaller obstacles in the County Hurdle, and Albert Bartlett outsider Nativehill. 

Conclusion  

From a Jockeys’ Cup viewpoint, day four of the Cheltenham Festival is centred around the opening race – the Triumph Hurdle – with three of the first four jockeys in the standings having excellent rides. Whoever comes out on top may take top billing, with Sam Twiston-Davies narrowly preferred given the confidence behind his mount East India Dock.