Cheltenham Festival Day Three Tips

We move onto Day Three of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival and the excellent racing continues, with seven more superb racing to look forward to. The Racing Club Insider guides us through their tips for all seven races on day three of the festival.

1.30pm – Turners Novices’ Chase

I’m hoping the British can get one back against the Irish here with GREY DAWNING, who I think is one of the Brits best hopes of the Festival. Dan Skelton’s exciting grey may have lost to Ginny’s Destiny over C&D in December, but he made a bad mistake two out and with a clear round of jumping I’m convinced he would’ve won. 

He made no mistake last time out, running out an easy winner in Grade 2 company at Warwick, and although he drops back in trip here I think he’ll be able to handle that and Dan Skelton has described him as the best novice chaser he’s had, and that’s some statement. Facile Vega looks the danger, but his jumping over fences hasn’t impressed me, and I’d much rather be on the side of Grey Dawning. 

TIP –  GREY DAWNING

2.10pm – Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle

The Pertemps is a tricky race to predict, but I am keen on the top-rated FAROUK D’ALENE for Gordon Elliott, particularly with Rob James’ 7lbs claim. He was only just touched off by Gaoth Chuil on his return to hurdles in December, who is much shorter in the betting here, and I feel he’s more than capable of reversing that form. 

For starters, he’s 4lbs better off with that rival now, and considering he was only beaten a neck, that should be more than enough to see the form reversed. It’s also worth noting that Farouk D’alene’s only previous effort at Cheltenham saw him travelling powerfully before falling two out in the 2022 renewal of the Brown Advisory, in a race that the form has worked out nicely in. Gordon Elliott’s runner is in good form and I’m hoping the return to a course he has run well at previously can see him go close at a big price.

TIP – FAROUK D’ALENE

2.50pm – Ryanair Chase

This is a weak renewal of the Ryanair and because of that, I feel that ENVOI ALLEN will be able to win back-to-back renewals. Henry De Bromhead’s 10YO managed to fend off Shishkin last year and there doesn’t appear to be anything of that class in here this year. 

Envoi Allen is yet to win this season but he looked back to his best when finishing within a neck of Gerri Colombe in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase, and this drop down in trip should see him to even better effect. The danger could be Jamie Snowden’s Ga Law, who finished fifth in the race last year but appears to have improved his jumping since and he looks overpriced. But, for win purposes, I’m confident Envoi Allen will become just the third horse to win back-to-back renewals of the race.

TIP – ENVOI ALLEN

3.30pm – Stayers’ Hurdle

This is one of my most confident bets of the week! TEAHUPOO could only finish third in the race last year but he should be stronger this year and I can see him running out a comfortable winner of this. 

A poor jump two out cost him crucial momentum in the race last year, and yet he still finished within a length of the winner. He looks to have sharpened up his jumping, judging on his cosy win in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle in December, and although he hasn’t been seen since I don’t think that will be an issue for him. I adore Paisley Park so will have a small E/W bet on him, considering he doesn’t seem to realise he’s now a 12YO, but I’m extremely confident Teahupoo will win the Stayers’ Hurdle this year.

TIP – TEAHUPOO

4.10pm – Plate Handicap Chase

This is a difficult race to predict, with six of the last ten winners coming home at double-figure odds. However, there have also been four winners at 5/1 or shorter, and I have a feeling CREBILLY could be something special moving forward so he has my vote in here. 

His three runs over fences have been full of promise, and with the ground sure to suit, he looks well handicapped and one who I expect to be rated much higher in the not-too-distant future. He was travelling the best when falling two out on chase debut, before running well over C&D in December. It wasn’t until his run at Exeter that he finally got his head in front, but that was his best effort to date and he seems to be improving with each run. I don’t think the other rivals will be able to live with him in here, and at tempting odds I think he can win this fairly comfortably.

TIP – CREBILLY

4.50pm – Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle

This looks to be a straight battle between Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins with Brighterdaysahead and Jade De Grugy respectively, although Dysart Enos could be anything and is the leading hope of the Brits. However, it’s worth noting that Gordon Elliott is 0-10 in this race, whereas Willie Mullins has won five of the eight renewals of it, so with that in mind I’ve come down on the side of JADE DE GRUGY. 

She’s 2/2 over hurdles, including an easy win in a Grade 3 at Fairyhouse that two of Mullins’ five winners won prior to coming to this race. The soft ground will be ideal for her and I can see her running a huge race. I would be shocked if Brighterdaysahead and Jade De Grugy don’t finish 1-2 in this, so I wouldn’t put anyone off doing the reverse forecast either.

TIP – JADE DE GRUGY

5.30pm – Kim Muir Handicap Chase

This is probably the hardest race on the card to predict, but there are angles to look at. With this being a race for Amateur Jockeys, it can pay to focus on those amateurs who have a bigger reputation – notably Patrick Mullins, Rob James, Harry Swan and last year’s winning jockey Patrick King. With that in mind, the one I have down on the side of is Harry Swan’s ride, COOL SURVIVOR. 

He’s made a good start to life over fences, running well in defeat in each of his four runs. He’s finished behind some high-quality opponents too, and his fourth last time out at Leopardstown was a good effort. He looks to have a good opportunity here, although I do feat last year’s winner Angels Dawn.

TIP – COOL SURVIVOR

DAY THREE TIPS