Cheltenham Festival tips: Ladbrokes' picks for 2025 day four

Cheltenham races betting reached a climax on Day Four, Gold Cup Day, featuring jump racing’s ultimate prize alongside a cracking supporting card.

Ladbrokes’ racing experts break down each of the final day’s seven races with concise analysis – highlighting rock-solid favourites, clever each-way plays and a lively outsider or two.

East India Dock (2/1) and Lulamba (2/1) have been dueling for favouritism in the juvenile championship. East India brings proven Cheltenham form after two trial wins, while Nicky Henderson’s Lulamba impressed on debut and carries big expectations.

However, Ireland’s star 4-year-old Hello Neighbour (13/2) offers better each-way value after a Grade 1 win at Leopardstown, showing grit that could prove decisive up the hill. Willie Mullins’ filly Lady Vega Allen (16/1) wasn’t far behind Hello Neighbour in Ireland and could also outrun her odds, but the battle-hardened Cromwell runner gets the nod to finish strongest.

Willie Mullins holds a strong hand in the Handicap Hurdle with Triumph runner-up Kargese (5/2) and last year’s winner Absurde (9/2) dominating the betting. Kargese makes her handicap debut and could be ahead of the assessor, while Absurde has an 8lb higher mark but still appears well-treated for a repeat bid.

The UK challenge is spearheaded by Lark In The Mornin (4/1), who impressed with a Festival win in the Fred Winter last year and would be a major threat if recapturing that form.

With Mullins’ duo setting the standard, Kargese gets a tentative vote for her untapped potential, though Lark In The Mornin appeals as an each-way play at double-figure odds.

Dinoblue (11/10) is the current favourite in the mares’ chase and it’s easy to see why. Willie Mullins’ mare was a close second in this race last year and has improved since, so her form sets a high standard. Stablemate Allegorie De Vassy (7/2) brings Grade 1 class – she was a big hope in 2024 before a setback – and if back to her best she could make a race of it.

Ultimately, Dinoblue’s class and current form make her hard to oppose, and she looks poised to go one better than last year.

A typically wide-open Albert Bartlett sees Wingmen (8/1) and The Big Westerner (5/1) amongst the heads of the market. Wingmen brings strong credentials after a Grade 1 triumph at the Dublin Racing Festival (he had useful rivals like Jasmin De Vaux in behind), and he should relish this 3-mile test.

The Big Westerner has shown abundant stamina with wins at Limerick and Punchestown in recent months , so he too should be in his element over the trip.

For a bit of each-way value, keep an eye on Inn At The Park (50/1) – another Mullins runner who stays well. He won over a similar distance at Fairyhouse and “retains potential” in a race that often rewards endurance . In a grinding finish, Wingmen’s Grade 1 battle-hardness might give him the edge, but this race tends to spring a surprise or two.

All eyes are on Galopin Des Champs (4/7) as he bids to secure a historic third consecutive Gold Cup . Willie Mullins’ superstar has dominated this race for the past two years and comes in as a red-hot odds-on favourite.

Chief among his rivals is Irish challenger Banbridge (9/2), who advertised his staying quality with an impressive King George VI Chase win on Boxing Day / Another major player is the supplemented novice Inothewayurthinkin (13/2), who has rapidly emerged as a top-class stayer and adds intrigue to the lineup.

Several others are big prices – last year’s Brown Advisory winner The Real Whacker (25/1) is a course specialist who could outrun his odds if allowed to dictate the pace . That said, it will likely take something special to dethrone Galopin Des Champs, who is the horse for the ages in this field.

Amateur riders take the stage in the Hunters’ Chase, and this year Angels Dawn (10/3) is a worthy favourite . The 10-year-old mare has Cheltenham pedigree – she won the Kim Muir in 2023 – and she warmed up by winning an open point-to-point in December, so her mix of class and experience is compelling.

Her chief rivals include Its On The Line (9/2), last year’s Foxhunter runner-up trained by Emmet Mullins, and Willitgoahead (9/2) from Sean Doyle’s yard . Both have strong hunter chase form this season. In a race that often produces upsets, Angels Dawn’s proven stamina and course know-how make her a solid choice to capture the “amateur Gold Cup.”

The Festival finale is a fiercely competitive Jockey's Handicap Hurdle for conditionals. Willie Mullins saddles the favourite Kopeck De Mee (9/4), who has been all the rage after eye-catching runs in Ireland. Gordon Elliott’s Wodhooh (9/2) is another leading fancy, arriving on a hat-trick of wins and looking well ahead of his mark.

However, this race often rewards an unexposed sort at bigger odds – and East India Express (10/1) fits that bill. Nicky Henderson’s charge has won his last two starts and comes here on the upgrade.

With a capable conditional jockey booked, East India Express could be the one to spring a surprise and end the Festival on a high note for punters.

Ladbrokes has a beginner's guide to betting at Cheltenham festival, as well as exclusive thoughts from leading trainer Dan Skelton on day four's races.

We also have horse-related games such as Cheltenham Champions - Jump For Glory available for those who have caught the racing bug over the course of the festival.

View the latest Cheltenham Festival odds

All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.