ITV Racing host Ed Chamberlin’s Cheltenham tips including pick for Gold Cup | Racing | Sport

ITV Racing presenter Ed Chamberlain has picked out his winner for today’s Gold Cup at Cheltenham Festival. It’s the most prestigious event in jump racing and the one that all of the jockeys, trainers and owners want to get their hands on.

Including Harry Redknapp, who will be crossing his fingers for The Jukebox Man during Friday’s showpiece. The ex-Spurs boss has every chance of seeing a winner, given most bookmakers have the horse ridden by Ben Jones second in the list of favourites.

Leading the way for most is the majestic Gaelic Warrior, who, despite some worries about settling into races, has a knack for finishing strong. It could prove the difference between winning and losing in today’s battle of attrition and stamina.

But for Chamberlain, who will be presiding over the events at Cheltenham Festival for ITV’s coverage, his money would be going elsewhere. Writing in his Daily Mail column, the presenter said: “My idea of the winner, however, is JANGO BAIE. I said in my first column on Tuesday that I expected there to be tears during the week and it will be hugely emotional for trainer Nicky Henderson, whose horses have been in blistering form, if this fellow does what those closest to him think he can.

“It won’t come close to the emotion for owner Tony Barney, who had to cut short an interview with Matt Chapman on Wednesday after Jingko Blue won the BetMGM Cup. All his horses begin with initial JB, in memory of his son, James, who died, aged 16, in February 2008. Henderson, like Mullins, is peerless when he targets one at a big race and Jango Baie has had one aim since playing his part in that thrilling finish to the King George on Boxing Day at Kempton — and that is to peak on March 13, over these three and a quarter miles.

“What I love about Jango Baie is the determination he shows at the end of his races. He won last year’s Arkle, over two miles, by staying on powerfully up the hill and he reminds me of Kicking King (2005) and War Of Attrition (2006), both of whom won the Gold Cup 12 months after running in the Arkle.”

Chamberlin didn’t stop at just the Gold Cup, with the racing presenter also picking out winners for the rest of Friday’s action: