With eight races down for decision, let us mark your card for a bumper day of action at the Cheltenham Festival.
As Jon Bon Jovi famously warbled, we’re halfway there. So far it has been a very good Cheltenham Festival for punters and Ireland and while Day 3 looks a tricky prospect in the betting ring, as contests we have some absolute crackers today. Let’s get down to business and look at today’s big races.
Jewson Novices’ Chase (1.30)
This race is only a Grade 3 but it is a red-hot one. The big favourite is Dynaste, out of David Pipe’s yard. Unbeaten this season, most recently at Kempton’s Christmas Festival, it’s probably a little too short at 2.2 on the Tote unless you have pots of cash banked from Day 1 and 2.
Instead, a trio of others might be worth some each-way bets. Noel Meade’s Texas Jack (6.8), Nicky Henderson’s Captain Conan (7.0) and the Mullins/Walsh team’s Marito (7.7). We let a big odds Mullins/Walsh winner go past us in the Bumper last night. Fool me once, etc…
Ryanair Chase (2.40)
A great line-up with at least six of the horses in with claims. Favourite, just, at the moment is First Lieutenant (2.9), and the prospect of race sponsor Ryanair presenting the winner’s trophy to First Lieutenant’s owner, Michael O’Leary, is one to look forward to. He won the Neptune Novices’ Chase in 2011 (see above) and was second in the RSA last year. He clearly loves it around Prestbury Park.
We’ve backed him to love it again this time too but the likes of Cue Card, Riverside Theatre, Champion Court, Menorah and Albertas Run are all capable of taking the spoils.
World Hurdle (3.20)
In the absence of the imperious Big Bucks, who won the last four, this race is wide open too. Nearly every horse has been tipped up in the papers. With the going Good to Soft, Soft in places, Smad Place is the favourite and the drying ground will suit Alan King’s charge.
For that reason we discount Bog Warrior’s chances but Reve De Sivola could be one to watch. As an outsider, we would love to see Solwhit do it for Charles Byrnes after nearly two years out. A really classy horse in its day, the nine-year-old is well priced at 9.4, though the three mile trip is a worry.
Best of the rest…
In the Pertemps Final (2.05) Paul Nicholls has called Sam Winner his pick of the meeting. With Ruby in the saddle, it has to be considered. In the Byrne Group Plate (4.00) we have a soft spot for Hunt Ball, even under top weight, while Alfie Sherrin, a winner at the Festival last year in the JLT, might be worth an EW punt in the Kim Muir.
Finally the rescheduled Cross Country (5.15) should be a cracking race. We liked Arabellla Boy on Tuesday and we remain on Enda Bolger’s horse. The danger is Boston’s Angel.
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