Daryl Carter has a host of selections for Day 3 of the Cheltenham Festival, with eight selections across the Thursday card. Check out his selections below, along with a couple of sign-up bonuses to keep your Festival funds ticking through towards the end of the week.
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IMPERIAL ALCAZAR – (1.55 Cheltenham, 1pt win – 5/1)
It’s been a tough few days for the column but its time to ramp up and go hard or go home and first up is IMPERIAL ALCAZAR a horse I have had on side for a long time now. He is the unexposed improving horse in the field that has strong Novice Hurdle form from last season to suggest he can be competitive off of this handicap mark of 147. He was crying out for a step up in trip last season and once race fit he made that decision look a good one for connections at Warwick when easily taking care of his rivals. That was just his second run over 3m and he is open to significant progress and can be applying his trade in graded company next season and the quicker ground should play to his strengths.
Back Imperial Alcazar At SBK & Claim A £20 Risk-Free Bet
COME ON TEDDY – (1:55pm Cheltenham, 1pt each-way – 10/1)
COME ON TEDDY is a horse I mentioned for the GG weekly preview show some time ago now and was better than the bare result behind Imperial Alcazar at Warwick after being squeezed for room on the home bend. He has been left on the same mark of 134 for this which looks lenient based on his run prior at this venue off 7lb lower when taking the scalp of subsequent Grade 2 Reelkeel Hurdle runner-up, On The Blind Side. That run came on soft ground but the quicker surface shouldn’t be an inconvenience and the only question is whether he has the class for this race or not? But he is well-handicapped none the less and should be in the frame.
Back Come On Teddy At SBK & Claim A £20 Risk-Free Bet
MELON – (2.30 Cheltenham, 2pts each-way – 7/1)
Always the bridesmaid and never the bride for MELON but this could be his year after taking his form to a new level this term the last twice over 3m despite failing to see out that trip and this looks a good move to run here rather than the Gold Cup. His two efforts over this trip resulted in a beating by Min when in need of the run and a nose second to Samcro in the Marsh Novices Chase last term. He is still unexposed at this trip over fences and will be given a prominent ride in a race that has favoured those ridden from this position in the past and he has fewer questions to answer than most so gets the vote to make it fifth time lucky.
Back Melon At SBK & Claim A £20 Risk-Free Bet
REVERSE TANK – (3.05 Cheltenham, 0.5 pt each-way – 80/1)
The absence of Thyme Hill is a bitter disappointment and this should be taken by the favourite Paisley Park but RESERVE TANK is well worth a saver at a wild price. His price is insulting given he shaped like he was in desperate need of a step up in trip last time at Fontwell in the National Spirit Hurdle when out-paced over 2m3f but he is a dual Grade 1 winner as a Novice on both sides of the sea over 2 ½ miles and although he rates a risky bet this race gives the impression that it is asking for an upset and the return to good ground is certainly a big positive for him.
Back Reverse Tank At SBK & Claim A £20 Risk-Free Bet
GLENS OF ANTRIM – (4.15 Cheltenham, 1pt win – 7/1)
Willie Mullins has an excellent record in this race and GLENS OF ANTRIM looks a smart prospect that has recorded a useful level of form in a short space of time and is open to plenty of improvement. She has only had three runs with two of those coming over 2 ½ in which she proved weak at the finish but she is not short of a turn of foot and that will hold her in good stead dropping back in trip to 2m. She fought bravely for such an inexperienced horse at Navan last time behind a useful horse in Mr Incredible and although she will need to take a step forward today, the drying ground and the shorter trip are reasons for improvement.
Back Glens Of Antrim At SBK & Claim A £20 Risk-Free Bet
MARTELLO SKY – (4:15pm Cheltenham, 0.5pt each-way – 50/1)
MARTELLO SKY is a wild price but I was really taken with her win at Market Rasen over the useful Marada who has given the form a good boost next time out. She was strong at the finish on that occasion and that came on unfavoured soft ground and these drying conditions will suit her. Granted she needs to find plenty on the figures but I have her running to 130 and there is every chance she will improve again to fill the frame so may be worth taking a chance on.
Back Martello Sky At SBK & Claim A £20 Risk-Free Bet
KILFILUM CROSS – (4.50 Cheltenham, 0.5pt each-way – 12/1)
KILFILUM CROSS may be a 10 year old but he has run two blinders in this race the last two years and has finished second on both occasions behind two horses that are now rated 154 and 147. He is now 3lb lower than last years second and 4lb below his 2019 run but connections keep the same amateur jockey on board to claim 3lbs (couldn’t claim previous as it was amateur riders only) so he is effectively 6lbs lower than last term. Connections also reapply the cheek-pieces and the drying ground is a big positive so a big run is expected.
Back Kilfilum Cross At SBK & Claim A £20 Risk-Free Bet
SIZING MIDNIGHT – (4:50pm Cheltenham, 0.5pt each-way – 28/1)
SIZING AT MIDNIGHT was travelling like the best horse before coming down at Wincanton in the Badger Beers Trophy off this mark in November and he can be easily forgiven his run at the same venue on heavy ground last time out. This handicap mark is clearly well within reach and his earlier form on good ground at Exeter and Ffos Las has worked out well so gets a small saver in a highly competitive race.
0.5pt e/w
Back Sizing Midnight At SBK & Claim A £20 Risk-Free Bet
DARYL CARTERS BEST BETS
IMPERIAL ALCAZAR – (1.55 Cheltenham, 1pt win – 5/1)
COME ON TEDDY – (1:55pm Cheltenham, 1pt each-way – 10/1)
MELON – (2.30 Cheltenham, 2pts each-way – 7/1)
REVERSE TANK – (3.05 Cheltenham, 0.5 pt each-way – 80/1)
GLENS OF ANTRIM – (4.15 Cheltenham, 1pt win – 7/1)
MARTELLO SKY – (4:15pm Cheltenham, 0.5pt each-way – 50/1)
KILFILUM CROSS – (4.50 Cheltenham, 0.5pt each-way – 12/1)
SIZING MIDNIGHT – (4:50pm Cheltenham, 0.5pt each-way – 28/1)
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