We move onto day three of the Cheltenham Festival, which is sure to deliver more drama and top-class racing. I’ve given my through-the-card selections for the card – including a couple at HUGE odds I like in the Pertemps Final and Stayers’ Hurdle.
1:20pm – Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle
Having won the first five renewals of this race, Willie Mullins has failed to win any of the last four, but that could all change this year with AURORA VEGA. She’s 3/4 over hurdles and would be unbeaten had she not been pulled up when something was amiss at Wexford earlier in the season. She won the Solerina Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle last time out, and the winners of that race have a good record here, so she gets my vote in the opener.
TIP – AURORA VEGA
2:00pm – Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase
There are plenty in here with chances but the one I really like in here is SPRINGWELL BAY. Jonjo O’Neill’s 8YO has an excellent 314321 record at Cheltenham, improving to 21 when focusing on his rides over C&D. His runner-up effort came behind Jango Baie when giving the winner 8lbs – the winner has since franked the form by winning the Arkle on Tuesday, He won comfortably on his most recent run, proving his fondness for this course and distance. He would be one of my more confident handicap bets at The Festival.
TIP – SPRINGWELL BAY
2:40pm – Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle
Four of the last five winners have won at double-figure odds, so I’m keen to look further down the betting in here. I’m taking a bit of a gamble with this one as he’s a huge price, but I think THOMAS MOR could be excellent each-way value. He returned from a mammoth 650 day break to win his qualifier in impressive fashion, taking his hurdles record to 4-6, with the defeats coming in Grade 1 company. He notably did finish sixth in the 2023 Albert Bartlett, and I think he could give us a good run for our money at huge odds.
TIP – THOMAS MOR
3:20pm – Ryanair Chase
This will be a cracking race, with Il Est Francais sure to try to make all, much like he almost did to perfection in the King George on Boxing Day. However, I have a feeling he will set this up for FACT TO FILE, who is arguably a Gold Cup-level horse and would likely be in that race if it wasn’t for Galopin Des Champs! Last years Brown Advisory winner has chased home Galopin Des Champs twice this season, but won’t have to worry about that rival in here, and he really should have too much class for his rivals in the Ryanair.
TIP – FACT TO FILE
4:00pm – Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle
I do like Teahupoo and I do think he’s the likeliest winner in here, but at a crazy price I think the value bet has to be BOB OLINGER each way, now returned back to his beloved Cheltenham. Henry De Bromhead’s star is a perfect 3/3 at Cheltenham, and although he does have to improve to beat some of these, the return to Prestbury Park can see him in a better light. With some bookies offering four places, he looks excellent each-way value in a race that has been known to spring a surprise or two in recent years.
TIP – BOB OLINGER
4:40pm – TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase
Gavin Cromwell’s runners have been doing well at the Festival this year, and he could land another winner with PATH D’OROUX. Having finished third in the Grand Annual last year, he won on seasonal reappearance at Cheltenham in October – the form of that has worked out well, with runner-up Jazzy Matty winning at The Festival this year. He finished runner-up in his last race at Fairyhouse earlier this year, but was giving the winner a whopping 17lbs, so I’m expecting him to go close, especially with his trainer believing the step up in trip will bring out further improvement.
TIP – PATH D’OROUX
5:20pm – Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase
JP McManus won this race last year with Inothewayurthinking and with two runners in the race this year, I’m hoping to side with the right one with SA MAJESTE. The seven-year-old has won two of his four races over fences, including a game win over two-time Grade 1 runner-up Affordale Fury last time out. With Patrick Mullins booked for the ride, I’m hopeful Sa Majeste can give Willie Mullins yet another Cheltenham Festival winner.
TIP – SA MAJESTE
DAY 3 TIPS
1:20PM – AURORA VEGA
2:00PM – SPRINGWELL BAY
2:40PM – THOMAS MOR
3:20PM – FACT TO FILE
4:00PM – BOB OLINGER
4:40PM – PATH D’OROUX
5:20PM – SA MAJESTE
Racing Club is set to have our first-ever Cheltenham Festival runner, as WENDIGO lines up in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle on Friday. A limited number of shares are still available – become an owner in a Cheltenham Festival runner for just £75 HERE.
