The Irish racing broadcaster offers up his five best bets for Thursday at Cheltenham, including a familiar name in the Stayers’ Hurdle.
Visit Betway’s Cheltenham betting page to see all our markets, boosts and specials for the Festival.
13:20 Mares’ Novices Hurdle
Joseph O’Brien struck with Puturhandstogether on the opening day and GALILEO DAME 9/2 looks a big player for the trainer here. A smart performer on the flat, she has shaped well on both starts over obstacles, and win, lose or draw this is surely a better option than tackling the geldings in Friday’s Triumph. Sixandahalf is a classy dual-purpose type herself and could prove the main threat.
14:00 Jack Richards Novices’ Handicap Chase
This is very competitive and Nurburgring, who has been a slow burner over fences so far, could easily come alive now entering handicap company. He’s a short enough price though and at a push I would side with the experienced top-weight SPRINGWELL BAY 15/2 , who boasts good course form, each-way.
14:40 Pertemps Final
WIN SOME LOSE SOME 13/2 makes significant appeal as he bids to supplement his win in a Leopardstown qualifier. That was the first attempt over this sort of trip for Padraig Roche’s promising gelding and there should be plenty more to come.
15:20 Ryanair Chase
A mouth-watering clash in prospect between Fact To File and Il Est Francais. I don’t have a particularly strong preference either way so am happy to watch what should be a good spectacle.
16:00 Stayers’ Hurdle
Last year’s winner Teahupoo looks potentially vulnerable this time having not been seen since his comprehensive defeat to Lossiemouth when bidding for a Hatton’s Grace Hurdle hat-trick in December. Home By The Lee, Lucky Place and The Wallpark all come into calculations but it might be worth taking a chance on MYSTICAL POWER 16/1 staging a revival on his first attempt over three miles. He’s been well below his best this season but would be a major player if back to anywhere near his best.
16:40 TrustATrader Plate
I’ve filed this in the “too difficult” tray, though with Gavin Cromwell’s horses continuing in great form Thecompanysergeant must be of interest on his first chase start for the yard.
17:20 Kim Muir Challenge Cup
There would be no more popular winner than WALKING ON AIR 5/1 , with Michael O’Sullivan’s younger brother Alan in the plate, and there is a real possibility it could happen as he is just 4lb higher than when falling at the last in the Great Yorkshire Chase with the race seemingly in his grasp. Handicap debutant Johnnywho will have the invaluable assistance of Derek O’Connor and has to be feared.
