Andrew Blair White’s Day 4 Preview

Day Four Preview – 2022 Cheltenham Festival – Andrew Blair White

The County Hurdle looks a very tricky handicap to start off the Friday card and as a result I’m keen to throw two darts at the board. The first of which is the well touted State Man. State Man, who arrived over in Ireland earlier this year, fell on his first start over hurdles for Willie Mullins. He quickly put that experience behind him when winning impressively at Limerick last time out under Richie Deegan. He has been given an opening handicap mark of 14, which may well prove to be lenient in this sphere. At a price of 9/2 with Paddy Power, who are paying out seven places in this race – he is a strong each way bet.

The other horse that I like in this race was a horse that we had great luck with last weekend at Sandown. That Horse is Surprise Package – who is looking to follow up having won the Imperial Cup in the most taking of manners. He comes here with a 5-pound penalty to overcome, but he may well be able to do so. He comes from a very shrewd yard, and this seems to have been a long-term plan. With that in mind, a price of 10 /1 with Paddy Power looks very tempting.

My other selection for the day comes in the Martin Pipe handicap hurdle, which is the last race on the card tomorrow. This conditional jockeys race is often won by a horse that can go on to win graded races. I think that horse might be Adamantly Chosen – who represents the powerhouse of Willie Mullins. Richie Deegan, who has been riding a fair bit for MullIns this year, has come in for the ride. this horse was beaten on his first two starts over hurdles, but he seems to be improving at a vast rate and won impressively last time out. At a price of 6/1 with Paddy Power he is another each way bet.