**4.40 Hunters Chase**

Once the elite chasers have done their thing, it’s time for the amateurs’ version of the Gold Cup, in a race that has thrown up two 66-1 winners in the last five years. It has also proved fairly resistant to the Irish challenge, with six of the last eight winners having been stabled in Britain, although two of those were saddled by Paul Nicholls, one of the finest trainers in National Hunt history, so do not really qualify as the sort of winner we would normally expect. Nicholls is back for another crack this year with **Shearer,** ridden by his 19-year-old daughter, Olive, and the pairing will be popular with both punters and football fans, while **Angels Dawn,** the winner of the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir here two years ago, is another very lively candidate. **Its On The Line,** second in this race 12 months ago and then successful in the equivalent race over the Grand National fences at Aintree, is also very much in the mix for a fascinating and competitive renewal, and so too is **Fairly Famous,** both trained and ridden by Gina Andrews, who gave his rider a 500th win in all forms of racing when successful in December.

**SELECTION: ANGELS DAWN.**

**4.40 Hunters’ Chase**

**There’s always a plot** that can be found when everyone’s looking in the other direction. Many thought it was Banbridge. This was a coup for owner JP McManus, his second, after the great, ill-fated Synchronised in 2012, as ridden by AP McCoy. “You have to enjoy these moments, they’re so long in the making,” says JP. “Mark is more than capable. It’s an exciting day.”

**A statement from Cheltenham:** “Inothewayurthinkin 10/1 to 3/1 favourite for the Grand National.”

**Galopin just didn’t get there.** A hard luck story? Perhaps. Inothewayurthinkin was supplemented for this race and Mark Walsh rode a beauty for JP McManus.

**Mark Walsh, Gold Cup winning rider.** “I am dancing inside. Paul was on my outside and missing a few and he wasn’t happy. Gavin Cromwell’s a genius to train him this way. He’s a homebred, too, which makes it extra special.”

**Galopin just didn’t get there.** A hard luck story? Perhaps. Inothewayurthinkin was supplemented for this race and Mark Walsh rode a beauty for JP McManus.

**1. Inothewayurthinkin (M P Walsh) 15-2**

**4.00 Gold Cup**

Galopin edges closer with 12 to jump. Halfway, and past the stands. Ahoy Senor is leading them out. Galopin is back in the field. And has gone down the outside. Nine from the finish, Ahoy Senor comes down, and Monty;s Star and Galopin are hampered!

**4.00 Gold Cup**

Galopin drops back into sixth. Huge noise as they pass the stands. Royal Pagallie is at the rear.

**4.00 Gold Cup**

Away first time, over 22 fences they go. The Real Whacker smashes into the first but gets over. Galopin drops back into sixth. Huge noise as they pass the stands. Royal Pagallie is at the rear.
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