Day 3 of Cheltenham, known as St. Patrick’s Day, is always a fantastic event and it’s one of the best days of the Festival.
The Stayers’ Hurdle is the showpiece event of the day, but some of the finest female horses are also competing in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, while the Ryanair Chase is also on the card.
Here are our expert tips for the day’s racing.
1:30 JLT Novices’ Chase (Grade One) 2m5f
MONALEE (11/4) is running in the RSA Novices’ Chase on Tuesday, but he runs again here and currently heads up the betting market. However, with two races in two days, it seems unlikely that he’ll make it a double at Cheltenham.
It’s a wide-open race and both AL BOUM PHOTO (8/1) and INVITATION ONLY (10/3) will fancy their chances after finishing just a length behind Monalee in the Flogas Novice Chase.
There’s plenty of value in the each-way market and Gary Moore’s BENATAR (8/1), who’s unbeaten over fences and in front of television cameras, could be the one to go for. He outjumped FINIAN’S OSCAR (8/1) in the Ascot Grade Two and this will only boost his confidence heading into the race. He’s never competed at Cheltenham, nor in a field of more than eight rivals, but this could be the one where he makes a name for himself.
JLT Novices’ Chase Tip: BENATAR 8/1
2:10 Pertemps Handicap Hurdle (Grade Three) 3m
GLENLOE (8/1) has run well in all three of his starts this season and STAMP YOUR FEET (25/1) has triumphed in a number of strong handicaps and is a good bet at a lengthy price.
ARTHUR’S GIFT (25/1) is a very good each-way option and beat SYKES (22/1) earlier in the season, but the horse which will be ridden by Jonjo O’Neill has a very good chance of winning. O’ Neill has won this handicap on four previous occasions and saddles FORZA MILAN (12/1) this time around.
He qualified for the Festival by finishing second to LOUIS VAN POUCH (9/1) and also ran well at Newbury in December against another rival THE ORGANIST (14/1), who’s also running at Cheltenham. He won’t be phased by the field, after beating 15 other runners in his only hurdles win.
Pertemps Handicap Hurdle Tip: FORZE MILAN 12/1
2:50 Ryanair Chase (Grade One) 2m5f
UN DE SCEAUX (13/8) heads up the betting market and looks likely to profit on the soft ground that’s expected at Cheltenham next week. BALKO DES FLOS (11/2) was outstanding in the Christmas Chase at Leopardstown, finishing a length behind Road To Respect and could be very dangerous in this race.
Colin Tizzard’s CUE CARD (13/2) finished second in the Ascot Chase and has also previously won this race, and boasts winning form coming into this year’s Ryanair Chase. However, he was easily beaten by WAITING PATIENTLY (10/3), but his team are yet to confirm his participation in this chase. If he does take part though, he’s my selection as he boasts excellent current form and the ground will suit him.
Ryanair Chase Tip: WAITING PATIENTLY 10/3
3:30 Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade One) 3m
L’AMI SERGE (11/1) is at excellent odds to take home this year’s Stayers’ Hurdle. The eight-year-old has an excellent track record at Cheltenham, having finished fourth in a Supreme, third in a JLT and lost by a neck to Arctic Fire in last year’s County Hurdle. He also brings hugely impressive form into this year’s Festival. His chances could come down to how late he leaves a charge, as timing could be everything in this one.
SUPASUNDAE (4/1) is also in excellent form heading into this one and leads the market, while UNOWHATIMEANHARRY (10/1) and LA BAGUE AU ROI (14/1) also can’t be discounted. This race is incredibly open and the each-way market is worth tapping into for this one.
Stayers’ Hurdle Tip: L’AMI SERGE E/W 11/1
4:10 Brown Advisory Plate Handicap Chase (Grade One) 2m5f
The Irish dominate the betting for this race with last year’s Close Brothers winner, TULLY EAST (7/1), leading the market. However, Alan Fleming’s horse has been in poor form lately and finished sixth in the BetVictor Gold Cup.
LAST GOODBYE (12/1) arrives at the Festival with an excellent chance of winning after success at Dublin, while THE STORYTELLER (10/1) is also well-priced and could be an outsider. BOUVREUIL (16/1) has placed over the last two years and is a good each-way bet, but Mick Channon’s MISTER WHITAKER (14/1) is the one to look out for here. He claimed a maiden victory over fences at Carlisle and also ran well to come second to Hells Kitchen at Kempton.
Brown Advisory Plate Handicap Chase Tip: MISTER WHITAKER 14/1
4:50 Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade Two) 2m1f
Willie Mullins’ LAURINA (8/13) heads the betting market and it’s difficult to find anyone to can contest with this mare. She was very impressive at Dublin, winning a Grade Three by 11 lengths.
MARIA’S BENEFIT (11/2) is the one that’s expected to give the favourite a challenge, but she’s struggled with injury lately. However, with Laurina such a firm favourite, the each-way market could be worth looking at here and Cap Soleil is the one to go for. She won a 19-furlong contest at Haydock before Christmas and will be fresh. Her record at Cheltenham is also impressive and she’s won at the Festival before.
Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle Tip: LAURINA (8/13), CAP SOLEIL E/W, 11/1
5:30 Kim Muir Handicap Chase (Class Two) 3m2f
SQUOUATEUR (6/1) is the favourite and is often heavily backed, but disappoints and still hasn’t won over fences. PENDRA (12/1) finished third in this race last year and returns again, but Pat Kelly’s MALL DINI looks the most likely to improve on his finish from last season.
In fact, the Gelding could have won the race last year, had he not been boxed in. He charged up the home straight, but struggled with two to go and eventually finished in fifth. However, he has form at Cheltenham, having won the 2016 Pertemps Hurdle.
He’s gone under the radar this season, failing to win at both Galway and Fairyhouse, but if the tactics are right, then he can claim a first victory over fences.
Kim Muir Handicap Chase Tip: MALL DINI 6/1
*Please note all odds subject to change