The Grade 1 Ryanair Chase and Grade 1 Stayers Hurdle form a pair of top class feature races on day three of an already memorable Cheltenham Festival. Check out our race by race thoughts and value picks for another top class day of National Hunt action in store…
Yorkhill is a well-known fruit-loop, but a rather magnificently talented one when he puts it all together, which tends to be at Cheltenham. Having said that he could be worth taking on, considering the form of the Neptune last year hasn’t worked out particularly well, perhaps with Politologue who has looked a potential star at times this season and has been trained all season for this race by Paul Nicholls, who must be craving a chase winner at the festival considering his increasingly modest record in recent years.
14.10pm – Pertemps Network Final handicap hurdle
Paper Pin Picks Time! Here’s our shortlist of horses to look out for…
14.50pm – Ryanair Steeple Chase
Un De Sceaux is a worthy favourite for the Ryanair and although Uxizandre ran really well behind him on his return from a long absence, there’s no obvious reason why he should reverse the form. They’re both vulnerable to Empire Of Dirt though, who has been in tremendous form this season and can follow up last year’s festival handicap victory with another at the top level, for owners and race sponsors Gigginstown.
15.30pm – Sun Bets Stayers’ Hurdle
Unowhatimeanharry hasn’t put a foot wrong all season and with that all important Cheltenham Festival experience under his belt (won Albert Barlett in 2016), he rates as many people’s banker of the week. Fellow JP McManus owned Jezki has to be respect, but one has to wonder if he’ll be able to find a turn of foot over a truly contested 3m on decent ground. Perhaps the main danger could come in the form of 2015 winner Cole Harden, who makes very solid each way appeal at a top price of 10/1 with Betfair.
16.10pm – Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate
24 runners go to post for this hugely competitive handicap chase, here are three dark horses that could outrun big odds:
16.50pm – Trull House Stud Mares Novices’ Hurdle
A welcome addition to the festival and a real bolster to the mares’ hurdling in general, which unlike previous years now has three stars in the shape of Apple’s Jade, Vroum Vroum Mag and Limini. There’s a wealth of really talented young mares here, the Willie Mullins trained Let’s Dance being the most enticing on paper. She’s been excellent this season and has been giving very favourable mentions by Rich Ricci in pre-festival preview nights. She looks banker material, but it’d be no surprise to see Airlie Beach or the highly progressive Forge Meadow give her a race of it in what looks a high quality race.
17.30pm – Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup
Once again a fully booked race 24 horses heading to post, here’s a few for the shortlist:
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