The third day of the Cheltenham Festival features seven more of the best fields in racing. Three Grade 1s occur in succession during the middle of the day, but all seven contests look to be strong renewals this year.
Matty Sutcliffe focuses on the beginning and end of the card on Thursday. He has four best bets for you to follow.
1:20 Cheltenham – Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Dawn Run mares’ Novices’ Hurdle) (GBB) (Class 1) (4yo+) – Kingston Queen 25/1 1pt EW 4 places
This market will no doubt be dominated by Champion Bumper winner Bambino Fever and Oldschool Outlaw, who had that one in behind at Naas in December. However, one who looks overpriced is Kingston Queen, who had Oldschool Outlaw four places behind her when third in the Grade 2 Aintree Bumper.
The former point winner had form figures of 32113 in bumpers, including finishing a neck behind Baron Noir who was fourth in the Supreme on Tuesday. She was then a well backed winner on hurdles debut at Chepstow in November, making most to easily beat Kripticjim seven lengths. The second is unbeaten in three starts since, latterly landing a Grade 2 at Cheltenham on Trials day.
She was then sent off 2/1 favourite against Old Park Star at Cheltenham in December, but didn’t appear to give her running when a well beaten third. After a 57 day break she was back on track at Warwick against her own sex, getting up late on after hanging right up the straight.
First time cheekpieces can aid in that respect, and her prominent style of racing will suit here with a record of 1131 against her own sex.
2:00 Cheltenham – Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2) (Registered As The Golden Miller) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) – Regent’s Stroll 5/1 1pt WIN
I’m still very keen on the ante-post plays of Slade Steel and Sixmilebridge here, but I’d like to get Regent’s Stroll on side for a yard who took this last season with a similar type in Caldwell Potter.
Regent’s Stroll came with a big reputation over hurdles last season but was a beaten favourite on two occasions, including in the Challow. He returned to form at Aintree though, when second to Honesty Policy in Grade 1 company.
He was a beaten favourite on chase debut in the John Francome having raced keenly, but it was strong form regardless and he bounced back in a match up at Wincanton. He was then second to Miami Magic under a switch of tactics next time out, but that qualified him for this race and I suspect we’ll see a return to positive tactics which Harry Cobden has already successfully adopted this week.
4:40 Cheltenham – Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) – Electric Mason 10/1 1pt EW 5 places
Again, I’m more than happy with our position on Bold Endeavour but I can’t let Electric Mason go unbacked, who has been put away for this since winning the G3 Haydock Stayers’ Handicap in November.
He travelled well throughout the field before looking somewhat unruly up the run in, missing the third left before gamely fending off the strongly fancied Hartington. That form has been franked by the sixth, Ace Of Spades, who won a Pertemps Qualifier last time out after finishing second to the subsequent Cleeve Hurdle winner Ma Shantou.
Prior to Haydock, Electric Mason was second himself to Ma Shantou in receipt of a pound, who’s now rated 25lbs higher. The current Pertemps favourite Supremely West was third there and has a 13lbs swing with Electric Mason, but I thought Electric Mason’s performance could be upgraded after faring best of the prominent racers with the next prominent racer subsequently finishing runner up in a Grade 3.
A mark of 139 requires more, but it’s tough to envisage him out of the frame if returning in a similar vein of form.
5:20 Cheltenham – Rosconn Group Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 2) (5yo+ 0-145) – Jeriko Du Reponet 3/1 2pt WIN
Unfortunately our big-priced Ultima docket for Jeriko Du Reponet was settled as a loser, but somethings appear too obvious to let go and he has to be chanced in this Kim Muir.
After being dropped 3lbs for his effort at Windsor behind Salver, this was always going to be the plan after dropping into the 0-145 threshold. That came after an inauspicious effort at Wincanton behind Regent’s Stroll when not overly persevered with, and it was a similar performance on seasonal debut at Kempton.
Cheltenham will always have been the plan after his second in the Pertemps here last season and the first time cheekpieces there, which have been missing all season, conveniently reappear with Derek O’Connor a positive indication.
Matty Sutcliffe’s Best Bets
1:20 Cheltenham – Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Dawn Run mares’ Novices’ Hurdle) (GBB) (Class 1) (4yo+) – Kingston Queen 25/1 1pt EW 4 places
2:00 Cheltenham – Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2) (Registered As The Golden Miller) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) – Regent’s Stroll 5/1 1pt WIN
4:40 Cheltenham – Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) – Electric Mason 10/1 1pt EW 5 places
5:20 Cheltenham – Rosconn Group Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 2) (5yo+ 0-145) – Jeriko Du Reponet 3/1 2pt WIN
Kingston Queen
Regents Stroll
Jeriko Du ReponetMatty Sutcliffe’s Cheltenham Day 2 Tips
FAQs
What are today’s Cheltenham Festival tips?
Matthew Sutcliffe provides his best bets for the racing on day 3 at Cheltenham on Thursday 12 March.
When were Matthew Sutcliffe’s tips published?
Matty Sutcliffe’s Cheltenham Festival tips were published at 3.15pm on Wednesday 11 March.
Who is Matthew Sutcliffe?
Matthew Sutcliffe is GGs newest contributor, often providing a value angle for his tips. He writes weekly columns for the weekend’s racing, as well as taking aim at ante-post markets at the Cheltenham Festival. Follow him on X: @MattySutcliffe
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