Cheltenham Day Three - Lets Go To Work

1.20pm – Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle

It may not be the first or the last time I look stupid but I genuinely feel the bookies have got it wrong here in making Sixandahalf favourite here ahead of the Willie Mullins trained Maughreen. that is not in any way meant as an insult (sorry Gavin, you know me better than that) but my suggestion has always been seen as top-class in the making. The winner of a decent Punchestown bumper on her debut, she was then off the track for over a year before her hurdling debut which she won by five lengths despite looking as it the race would blow away plenty of cobwebs. Pretty much guaranteed to find more with that run under her belt, this is an “in at the deep end” moment but if she is anywhere near as good as they hope, we will have another winner. Each way options abound as always, with the current 16/1 about Just A Rose sorely tempting after her one start demolition job at Taunton, and she could also make her presence felt for trainer Paul Nicholls.   

2.00pm – Jack Richards Novices’ Handicap Chase

There is every chance the bookmakers will be the ones smiling after this handicap chase where the latest betting as I write sees Nurburgring trading the 13/2 jolly, but after my visit to Jackdaws Castle the other week I will stick with Springwell Bay. Jonjo and A J O’Neill’s eight-year-old had bigger fish to fry before a final decision was made to come here, and he is the class act – albeit with top-weight to carry. Four runs over fences have seen two victories a second and a third, the latest when scoring by nine lengths here with some ease, off 9lb lower. His shrewd connections obviously feel he can take the weight rise on board in this grade, and if they are correct, then the 10/1 looks decent each way value.   

2.40pm – Pertemps Network Final

With two 25/1 winners in the last three years this is a conundrum in its own right, though rest assured, someone will be plotting up something so a market watch may yet prove beneficial come the morning of the race. When I was at the Henderson yard for a media morning I could not help but notice the master trainer referring back to Doddiethegreat for this race, despite some scribes trying to talk him in to mentioning others they felt had better chances. Admittedly his two wins over hurdles have been over shorter, with the latest at Ascot in November 2023 off this mark, but he was last seen keeping on well over this trip at Haydock when coming home second. A tongue-tie is added to the cheekpieces for the first time this afternoon which looks interesting, and if his trainer thinks he has a sporting chance, who am I to argue?  

3.20pm – Ryanair Chase

The jury is still out on Fact Or File as far as I am concerned despite all the hype, and although he is clearly a very good horse, I cannot see why he is as short in the betting as he is despite a good third to Galopin Des Champs last time out. Although he has won over this sort of trip his best form is over further, and that may open the door to French challenger Il Est Francais. His victory at Kempton in December 2023 will live long in my memory, and although he hasn’t really gone on from there as hoped, this trip and track may yet play to his strengths if the ground remains on the good side. Caught and beaten into second over further in the King George in December last year, he is reported to be in fine fettle at home, and if he can get to the front and avoid too many jumping errors, I am hoping he can run all of these ragged and come home alone.

4.00pm – Stayers Hurdle

Teahupoo is back to defend his crown after taking this last year by close to four lengths from Flooring Porter, and although beaten last time out by Lossiemouth, that was over an inadequate two and a half miles, and no disgrace trying to give the mare 7lb on the day. I get the feeling that will put an edge on his for the big one here, though whether his price is any value is a different question. The fact that Lucky Place, trying the trip for the first time, sits third in the early betting suggests a distinct lack of high-class staying hurdlers at present, but for those looking for a bigger priced each way alternative, Bob Ollinger and perhaps Crambo are worthy of some consideration.

4.40pm – Trustatrader Plate Handicap Chase

I am not 100% convinced I would bet in this with someone else’s money it is that complicated, but I can at least see why Jagwar heads the betting with three wins form his four starts this season. I suspect this may go the way of an improving sort such as the Paul Nolan trained An Peann Dearg, the winner of his last two starts, the latest at Leopardstown in early February. An added 12lb here gets him in near to the bottom of the handicap this afternoon, and if he has any more to offer he could hit a top four sport if nothing else.

5.20pm – Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup

Walking On Air was once held in very high regard at the Henderson yard but he failed to live up to the hype with a couple of wins over hurdles, though it would be Sod’s Law if he got off the mark over fences here without my money on him to weigh him down! I do think he could go well with a clear round after falling when challenging last time out, but preference is for the Willie Mullins trained Sa Majeste. Two wins from for starts over fences include last time out when he ran on strongly to score over shorter at Fairyhouse, I am hoping he can get to the front bright and early which would give him every chance of running these rivals into the ground, drawing out any finishing speed they may hope to use late on in the contest.