Great to fire in a couple of decent winners yesterday! I feel like the momentum is certainly with us heading into Thursday and I do usually flourish on the final two days of the Festival.

The action obviously switches to the New course now and there is a great emphasis on stamina which I think I have a better eye for. My best bet of the week runs in the Ryanair and I’m also looking forward to seeing how the Stayers’ Hurdle unfolds. Another exciting day ahead!

I have looked over each of the seven races in detail and there are some fiercely competitive handicaps this afternoon so definitely some bigger prices to get stuck into. Day 3 of the Cheltenham Festival could easily be the best yet!

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Quick Cheltenham Day 3 tips

Win Singles

• Stayers’ Hurdle: TEAHUPOO – 1.76/1 with SBK
• Ryanair Chase: FACT TO FILE – 11/8 with bet365
• Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle: JUBILEE ALPHA – 8/1 with Paddy Power
• Jack Richards Novices’: FIREFOX – 6/1 with Betfred
• Pertemps Hurdle: CATCH HIM DERRY – 12/1 with talkSPORT BET
• Plate Handicap Chase: JAGWAR – 10/3 with Sky Bet
• Kim Muir Challenge: MINT BOY – 10/1 with Betfair

Win Double

• Fact To File
• Teahupoo

Go for the win double at 5.57/1 with bet365

Each way Double

• Firefox
• Jagwar

Take the each way double 18.48/1 with Betfred

Top 5 favourites & odds for St Patrick’s Thursday Grade 1 races

Ryanair Chase	Stayers’ Hurdle
Fact to File 1.76/1	Teahupoo 7/4
Il Est Francais 11/4	The Wallpark 4/1
Protektorat 6/1	Lucky Place 11/2
Djelo 11/1	Home By The Lee 7/1
Jungle Boogie 12/1	Bob Olinger 11/1

Stayers’ Hurdle tips

There is no hiding the fact it has been a pretty dreadful Cheltenham Festival so far for Gordon Elliott but we are only half way through and his stable star TEAHUPOO could get things back on track. He won the race going away last year and his trainer has always said he is a better horse when fresh. He has only run once this season but I certainly wouldn’t see that as a negative and even given the poor stable form I think he is the class act and should get the job done. He has been pushed out to 13/8ish in the betting which seems generous.

They have opted to come here with The Wallpark which I think is the right decision and he could easily be the biggest threat to the favourite. He won four in a row and then caught the eye in defeat behind Crambo when last seen. He can get outpaced at times but certainly has stamina in abundance and should be running on strongly. Gowel Road is likely to put good pace to the race which will avoid things turning tactical and that is definitely a good thing for the Elliott pair.

Langer Dan comes here as the unknown quantity in some ways as he obviously has Cheltenham Festival winning form and is largely unexposed over this trip so don’t rule out a big run. Lucky Place has won his last two and is another one you couldn’t rule out stepping up so there might be more strength in depth than it first appears.

14 TEAHUPOO

• Trainer: Gordon Elliott
• Jockey: Jack Kennedy
• Form: 112-11196-1124-1-11-2
• Age: 8yo
• Weight: 11-10

Teahupoo to win the Stayers’ Hurdle at 1.76/1 with SBK

Ryanair Chase tips

I have made it no secret how highly I regard FACT TO FILE and even though he is coming into this off the back of two defeats I very much make him the one to beat. He won at the Cheltenham Festival last year and looked impressive winning the John Durkan on return where he had stablemate Galopins Des Champs in behind. Obviously things haven’t quite gone to plan since being beaten the last twice but he certainty hasn’t been disgraced and shapes like this drop back in trip will be perfect.

I still don’t think we have seen the best version of him and I’m struggling to see how he doesn’t beat these and comfortably too. He jumps well and the harder they go the better for him as he has a high cruising speed and will just sit and pop before staying on strongly up the hill. He has only had 7 starts over fences and on the 4 times he has run over this sort of trip he has won 3 of them.

The French horse Il Est Francais will go hard off the front but he has bled in the past and also I think he’ll hate Cheltenham. That hill could have him under pressure early and if that happens they’ll only be one winner. Protektorat deserves a mention after winning it last year but he looks up against an improver this time and isn’t getting any younger. Heart Wood is pretty consistent and could go better than his price suggests at least.

3 FACT TO FILE

• Trainer: Willie Mullins
• Jockey: Mark Walsh
• Form: 122-2111-123
• Age: 8yo
• Weight: 11-10

Fact to File to win the Ryanair Chase at 11/8 with bet365

Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle

Sixandahalf is respected but she does lack experience and it might be worth chancing JUBILEE ALPHA for Paul Nicholls. Heading into the Festival trainer Paul Nicholls said she was probably his best chance and she has impressed winning the last twice. She beat Hollygrove Cha Cha who I respect and then followed up in good style at Windsor. She should have a lot more to come and at a double figure price has been a bit overlooked. The yard are in good form too and I don’t think Cobden will leave Cheltenham without a winner so she could be the one.

Aurora Vega is bred to be pretty useful and has won 3 from 4 over hurdles so could have a squeak. She comes out favourably on the trends so I expect her to get competitive at least. Maughreen clearly has talent but she might pull her chance away and I’m not sure a first-time hood is the right decision. Galileo Dame ran well at the DRF and looks rock solid so might be worth a place bet.

9 JUBILEE ALPHA

• Trainer: Paul Nicholls
• Jockey: Harry Cobden
• Form: 12-311
• Age: 6yo
• Weight: 11-4

Jubilee Alpha to win the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at 8/1 with Paddy Power

Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase tips

I know Gordon Elliott has struggled this week so far but that could be set to change as FIREFOX definitely catches the eye now sent handicapping. He won on reappearance at Down Royal and has since bumped into some good horses in Graded company. He took well to this track when third in the Supreme last year and with further improvement to come and the ground ideal I can see him running a big race.

Springwell Bay has chosen to come here which could be a tip in itself. He was mightily impressive over C&D last time and despite a 9lb hike could get involved. Answer To Kayf should travel strongly and I can see him being well suited by this test so don’t rule him out going close either.

2 FIREFOX

• Trainer: Gordon Elliott
• Jockey: Jack Kennedy
• Form: 4211-114322-1323
• Age: 7yo
• Weight: 11-8

Firefox to win the Jack Richards Novices’ Chase at 6/1 with Betfred

Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle tips

There are plenty you could back in here but the one I keep coming back to is CATCH HIM DERRY for Dan Skelton. This 7yo was impressive when well backed winning at Newton Abbot back in October and despite pulling up at Haydock and running poorly at this track was back to his best passing the entire field to win at Exeter. I’ve got a feeling he is really well handicapped and with tons of pace on here he could get a perfect trip and come through late. The yard are among the winners and he looks a bit overpriced.

Jeriko Du Reponet was third behind the selection at Exeter and also looks off a good mark. He clearly isn’t the easiest though and hopes seem to be pinned on the cheekpieces working here. Win Some Lose Some remains unexposed over this trip and is another one who could improve and get involved. Other dangers include Will The Wise and also Feet Of A Dancer in a fiercely competitive renewal.

20 CATCH HIM DERRY

• Trainer: Dan Skelton
• Jockey: Harry Skelton
• Form: 633121-1PU61
• Age: 7yo
• Weight: 11-0

Catch Him Derry to win the Pertemps Hurdle at 12/1 with talkSPORT BET

Plate Handicap Chase tips

I was at Cheltenham for Trials Day and backed JAGWAR. He was a brutal drifter but still went and won impressively. He has now won 3 from 4 over fences and you couldn’t rule out further progression. He had multiple entries at the Festival but has decided to come here and is deservedly favourite. I can see him improving again with his form stacking up and he is worth keeping on side despite the competitive nature of the race.

Thecompanysergeant is definitely interesting for Gavin Cromwell and I can see him relishing this sort of test off a workable mark. Masaccio was behind Jagwar last time and if jumping with more fluency could definitely pose a threat. An Peann Dearg is on a hat-trick and is another one who must enter calculations.

13 JAGWAR

• Trainer: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero
• Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr.
• Form: 25145-1131
• Age: 6yo
• Weight: 10-10

Jagwar to win the Plate Handicap Chase at 10/3 with Sky Bet

Kim Muir Challenge Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase tips

I can see Walking On Air going close if putting in a clear round of jumping but he has been overbet now by the looks of it so I’m siding with MINT BOY at a nice price. He is likeable this horse and remains unexposed. He was a good third at Punchestown last month and will be spot on for this now. He looks to have stamina in abundance so should be suited by this trip and he looks a bit overpriced at 12/1.

Johnnywho I can’t have at all as I don’t think he puts it all in. He has drifted a bit now but even so I’m keen to oppose. Sa Majeste has won 2 of his last 3 and if putting in a good round of jumping could have a big say. Barry Connell is in great form with William Munny going close in the Supreme and Marine Nationale winning the Champion Chase so Nine Graces deserves respect. She has been put away since winning at Punchestown and might be one that goes under the radar somewhat.

6 MINT BOY

• Trainer: Gavin Cromwell
• Jockey: Barry O’Neill
• Form: 239-15217-37103
• Age: 7yo
• Weight: 11-8

Mint Boy to win the Kim Muir Challenge at 10/1 with Betfair

Cheltenham Day 3 Race Schedule

TIME	RACE	DISTANCE	TYPE
13:20	The Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)	2m 1f	Hurdle
14:00	The Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase	2m 4f	Chase
14:40	The Pertemps Network Final (A Handicap Hurdle Race) (Listed) (Premier Handicap)	3m	Hurdle
15:20	The Ryanair Steeple Chase (Grade 1)	2m 4f	Chase
16:00	The Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1)	3m	Hurdle
16:40	The TrustATrader Plate (A Handicap Steeple Chase) (Premier Handicap)	2m 4f	Chase
17:20	The Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Steeple Chase (0-145)	3m 2f	Chase

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