Cheltenham Festival day four LIVE as build up to Gold Cup day begins

The day is upon us when the National Hunt world crowns its chasing champion and we’ll be there for every step of the way as the Cheltenham Festival reaches day four.

And you've come to the right place for all the results as they come in, plus top racing tips from our man Garry Owen.

The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (3:30) is our feature and a grand total of 11 runners will head to post.

Rachael Blackmore had a dream 2021 though she made the decision to go with A Plus Tard last year when stablemate Minella Indo was ultimately to win the race. There’s definitely history in this battle but as ever, it’s never quite so simple.

Galvin rates as the young pretender to the crown and is already a Cheltenham Festival winner. Gordon Elliott’s inmate was to shade A Plus Tard in the Savills Chase in December and has not been seen competitively since.

Al Boum Photo is the forgotten horse in the field despite seeing off rivals to glory in 2019 and 2020. Willie Mullins employs the cheekpieces as the horse bids to follow in the hoofprints of Kauto Star by regaining his crown following a loss.

Protektorat is the best of the Brits according to the betting and Paul Nicholls ace is already a Grade 1 winner having prevailed in the Manifesto Chase at Aintree.

The day starts with the juveniles in the JCB Triumph Hurdle (1:30). Vauban was widely touted as the Irish banker of the week and given the manner he saw off his field at Leopardstown last month, it’s not hard to understand why.

State Man gets his first run in a handicap and he is favourite for the County Hurdle (2:10) There are plenty of pretenders to the crown including Imperial Cup winner Suprise Package and Morebattle hurdle victor, Cormier .

West Cork has been the subject