Sean Bowen Cheltenham 2026 day four rides blog: 'I could not be happier with him going into this race'

• Sticktotheplan - Cheltenham - 2.00 race odds

• The Price Of Peace - Cheltenham - 3.20 race odds

• Haiti Couleurs - Cheltenham - 4.00 race odds

2.00 – Sticktotheplan

My first ride on Friday is Sticktotheplan in the County Hurdle. He’s a big price, but I wouldn’t rule him out of running a decent race.

His last run was a bit below what he’s capable of, but I think he might have just been a little over the top that day. Before that, he’d been running well and showing some good form. The County Hurdle is always run at a strong gallop, and the two miles should suit him well.

If things fall right for him and he can get into a nice rhythm early on, I think he could run better than the odds suggest. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if he managed to get into the frame somewhere.

3.20 – The Price Of Peace

Next up is The Price Of Peace in the Albert Bartlett. It’s obviously a very competitive race, and he’s another one who goes there as a bit of an outsider, but he has shown ability.

I thought his first run was quite encouraging, and then he won very nicely at Chepstow, where he looked to stay well and did it pretty easily. That’s obviously important for a race like the Albert Bartlett because it’s a real stamina test.

He was disappointing last time for whatever reason, so you’d have to say it’s going to be tough to win a race like this off the back of that run. But if he can bounce back to the sort of form he showed at Chepstow, he’s capable of running a respectable race.

4.00 – Haiti Couleurs (Cheltenham Gold Cup)

Then comes the big one – the Cheltenham Gold Cup – and I’m lucky enough to be riding Haiti Couleurs.

As a jockey, the Gold Cup and the Grand National are the two races you dream about when you’re growing up. To be coming here with a ride in the race is special enough, but to be on one that you feel has a genuine chance makes it hugely exciting.

I was really pleased with his prep run at Newbury. Originally, there had been talk of going to Ireland, but in hindsight, I’m actually glad he didn’t go there and have a hard race. At Newbury, he had a nice, straightforward time of things out in front, quickened up when asked, and did exactly what we wanted him to do.

It gave him a good blowout without taking too much out of him, and he came away from the race really well. From my point of view, it looked like the perfect preparation for a race like this, and I could not be happier with him going into this race.

Looking at the Gold Cup itself, it feels like a very open race this year. Cheltenham as a whole has been more open than it has been for a long time, and this race is no different. You could make a case for plenty of them.

Gaelic Warrior will need to settle better because he can get a bit keen. The Jukebox Man looked very good at Kempton when winning the King George, but you just wonder whether Cheltenham over 3m2f will suit him quite as well.

Jango Baie is another interesting one. You’d imagine Cheltenham would suit him better, but he is an Arkle winner, so he still has to prove he truly stays the trip.

Grey Dawning was a little disappointing last time, while Spillane’s Tower ran very well on his latest start and could easily be one that outruns his odds.

That’s the sort of race it is – you could probably pick any of the top half dozen or so and make a case for them. From my side, though, the main thing is that the conditions should suit Haiti Couleurs, and if he runs his race, we’ll hopefully be right in the mix.

A Special Week for the Family

Before I finish, I just want to say how proud I was of my brother James earlier in the week.

Seeing him ride his first Cheltenham Festival winner on Tuesday was brilliant. None of us really expected it, especially after the horse went up so much in the handicap after Newbury, but he went and did it anyway.

Mum and Dad were there, Mickey was there, and I was there too, so it meant a lot that the whole family got to share the moment together.

Cheltenham is such a special place, and days like that are what it’s all about. I was absolutely delighted for him.

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All odds and markets correct as of date of publication.