The pick of the prices on Day 4 at the Festival....

Thursday, 12th March 2026

The pick of the prices on Day 4 at the Festival….

In ATC today….

…. I bring you my best picks on Day Four of the Cheltenham Festival….

I’m on SIXANDAHALF in the 2.00 – up at 14s….

…. I’m on ANDASHAN at 20s & 18s in the 5.20….

…. and I’m on SPILLANES TOWER at 14s in the 4.00….

That’s the summary….

…. you’ll find all my reasoning below – as per usual….

Oh…. and if you’re looking for the standout place terms on offer – you’ll find them in the Bet Box below….

Read on….

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You’ll find my picks for this afternoon’s Cheltenham card here….

I always work 24-hours ahead of time when it comes to producing big-race selections….

…. and the focus in today’s column is tomorrow afternoon’s races….

First up – the County Hurdle (2.00)….

Gavin Cromwell’s SIXANDAHALF is a bit of a forgotten horse and slips under radar for this at the general 14s….

At last year’s Festival she was sent off a warm order for the G2 Mares’ Novices Hurdle….

…. and she ran a cracker – looking the winner until very close to home when she got overhauled in sight of the post….

…. with the front two pulling clear of the remainder….

It’s been a bit disappointing time since – especially this term….

…. but let’s not forget that Cromwell’s yard had well-documented problems that persisted deep into the season….

…. and it’s only relatively recently that things have picked up….

Cromwell’s had a decent Festival so far….

…. saddling three of the first four in yesterday’s Cross Country Chase….

…. getting top-6 placers in three of the big handicaps….

…. and producing prominent finishers in the Bumper and the Brown Advisory….

…. from eleven runners in total….

That’s a decent haul – and Sixandahalf can make another contribution tomorrow….

She handles the track, she’ll appreciate the ground, and I reckon there’s plenty of uncharted upside from her mark of 139….

In the Martin Pipe (5.20) I’m backing Chris Gordon’s ANDASHAN at the 20s & 18s....

There’s rain forecast today and overnight and I’m hoping enough of it falls to provide the 6yo with the bit of cushion that he needs….

He’s progressive at the trip….

…. being unlucky to bump into Kabral Du Mathan when stepped up to 2m2f at Haydock….

…. before winning at Newbury over 2m4f at the end of December – with the third horse home franking the form since….

He’s fresher than most coming into this assignment….

…. it’s has been the plan for a while….

…. he’s on a mark of 133 which provides plenty of upside….

…. like I say, he’s unexposed at intermediate trips – and he’s progressive….

…. plus – the way he finished his race at Newbury – I think he’ll relish the stiffer test tomorrow afternoon….

…. and I can see him running a big race under Dylan Johnston….

I can’t let the Gold Cup (4.00) pass me by without having a punt….

…. and I wouldn’t be Nick Pullen if I didn’t want to take on all the horses everybody else been talking about since Christmas….

…. Gaelic Warrior, Jango Baie, The Jukebox Man, and Haiti Couleurs….

With rain coming and the ground set to soften-up a little….

…. SPILLANES TOWER at 14s is the one for me….

I take it as a positive that the Mullins/McManus team took Fact To File out and sent him instead to this afternoon’s Ryanair Chase….

Of course, that’s a big target in its own right….

… but Fact To File won that race last year….

…. and given how he performed in the Irish Gold Cup you’d think they’d aim him at the Cheltenham version in his 9yo season….

…. knowing that this year is his best – and perhaps only – chance to land the proper big one….

I know there was the question of would he stay – but they weren’t talking like they believed he wouldn’t….

…. so, they either have some real faith that last year’s winner Inothewayurthinkin is back in the game – and that’s more faith than I can muster given how he’s been this term….

…. and/or they feel that Spillanes Tower is a proper player – and that they’re well covered without Fact To File….

I suspect the latter option might hold more water than the former….

…. the 8yo – trained by the fella in the bob hat with just ten horses in his yard – is creeping into the race under the radar and with the ground coming right….

Whilst he does need to find a few pounds of improvement – that’s entirely possible….

…. and I see him as a big dark horse that’s barely been mentioned in the last few weeks….

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Now, just to recap….

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That’s all for today….

I’ll be back with more tomorrow….

Meantime – contact me at – nick.pullen@spapublishinggroup.co.uk

And remember – win, lose or draw – enjoy the racing….

Stay tuned….

Against the Crowd