After Wednesday’s disappointment both in terms of the cancellation of The Cross-Country Race and the non-runners from the Seven Barrows yard Thursday’s card looks brimming with both depth and quality. The feature Stayers’ Hurdle boasts a field of 13 declared with former winners Paisley Park, Flooring Porter and Sire du Berlais all poised to tackle of new generation of staying hurdlers. We take a look at Cheltenham Festival 2024 Day 3 – St Patrick’s Day Thursday.
Turner Novices’ Chase
The action gets underway with The Turner Novices’ Chase over two and a half miles and Grey Dawning the current market leader for brothers Harry and Dan Skelton. The 7yo should have no problem with the likely stamina-sapping conditions having won over three miles on soft ground last time out at Warwick but I’d be wary of him having the type of class in such a strong field.
I’m sweet on the chances of Iroko (1.30) who won The Martin Pipe at the festival 12 months ago and was successful on his sole start over fences when last seen at Warwick in November. The selection should relish the forecast soft ground and should have the extra stamina to cope with the testing demands of two and a half miles on churned up ground.
Spring Into Success For Jonjo And Jonjo Jr
Alan King’s Emitom is likely to love the conditions in The Pertemps and has excellent winning form on heavy ground, but I’m wary of his creeping handicap mark after his latest 5lb rise. Trainer Gordon Elliott boasts a tremendous record in the race and it’s interesting that stable jockey Jack Kennedy opts to partner the unexposed Cleatus Poolaw over stablemate Farouk D’Alene.
Both have solid claims but I’m going to take a chance on Springwell Bay (2.10) for Jonjo O’Neill and Jonjo Jr. The selection looks to have been campaigned towards this for some time after an excellent second last month at Musselburgh and looked potentially graded class when scoring at The Open Meeting here in November.
Envoi To Defend His Ryanair Crown
A field of 11 go to post for The Ryanair Chase with Envoi Allen (2.50) fancied to claim a Festival hat-trick and successfully defend his Ryanair crown under the excellent Rachael Blackmore. The 10yo looked better than ever when scoring on soft ground 12 months ago and after good runs in defeat earlier in the season at Gowran Park and Down Royal has been kept fresh for a spring campaign.
Stayers’ Hurdle Preview
Gordon Elliott’s Teahupoo has been well-supported for the feature Stayers’ Hurdle all season and is likely to be very short under regular partner Jack Kennedy. The 7yo was beaten by a nostril in the contest 12 months ago. He has been kept fresh for the spring festivals after a winning reappearance in The Hatton’s Grace in December.
He’s the class horse however, it looks a competitive renewal and with stamina in abundance I think former Grand National winner Noble Yeats (3.30) could out-stay them under Harry Cobden. The 9yo got up in the dying stride to deny the old boy Paisley Park on soft ground in The Cleeve Hurdle here on Trials’ Day and he remains a fascinating contender having just his fourth career start over hurdles.
Fiendish Festival Plate
The Festival Plate is a fiendishly difficult handicap and a rare race where Willie Mullins hasn’t dominated. Amazingly, 11 different trainers have been responsible for the winner since Carrickboy sprang an upset at 50/1 in 2013, proving that it’s a race where you can find something at a price.
Venetia saddles Frero Banbou (4.10) who looks a big price down at the bottom of the weights. The 9yo was soundly beaten by the re-opposing Shakem Up’Arry here in similar conditions on New Year’s Day but is 10lb better off at the weights for that seven-length defeat and is handicapped to give a good account.
It’s interesting that Rachael Blackmore opts to partner Arctic Bresil (4.10) for trainer Henry de Bromhead over stablemates Watch House Cross and Life in the Park, and I’m surprised to see him at a double figure price. The 7yo is unexposed under rules with just six career starts but has shown glimpses of class and is a fascinating contender on just his fourth start over fences.
Potential Superstar For Gigginstown
Jockey Jack Kennedy’s face has lit up like a Christmas tree whenever asked about the chances of Brighterdaysahead (4.50) who looks the best horse in the field for The Mares’ Novice Hurdle. The well-bred mare is unbeaten in five starts and looks a potential superstar for connections.
More Irish Dominance In The Finale
I’m surprised that stablemate Where It All Began (5.30) isn’t shorter for the closing Kim Muir under the excellent Brian O’Neill. The novice is one of the most unexposed chasers in the field with just eight starts over fences but put it all together nicely to when bolting-up in The Grand National Trial on heavy ground last month at Punchestown and should remain competitive despite a 12lb hike at the weights.
Selections
Cheltenham 1.30 – Iroko
Cheltenham 2.10 – Springwell Bay
Cheltenham 2.50 – Envoi Allen
Cheltenham 3.30 – Noble Yeats
Cheltenham 4.10 – Arctic Bresil and Frero Babou
Cheltenham 4.50 – Betterdaysahead
Cheltenham 5.30 – Where It All Began
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