Cheltenham Day 3 Betting Tips: Win and Each-Way Selections for Thursday at Cheltenham

1.55 Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle 

The first selection of the day comes in the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle which is the biggest plot race in the racing calendar so expect to see plenty of improvement from the majority of runners here and keep an eye out for any market movers. All the talk on social media and on the preview night circuit is that The Bosses Oscar has been laid out for this.

The horse I’m siding with here is Mrs Milner (16/1 E/W) who I think will run a massive race despite falling last time out at the Dublin Racing Festival. The Paul Nolan charge ran a cracker here last November only finding OnTheBlindside too good that day. The mare will relish to better ground conditions and has all the attributes to take out a big handicap like this.

 

2.30pm Ryanair Chase 

The next race is the Competitive Ryanair Chase which is typically contested by horses neither good enough for Gold Cup or Champion Chase.  This is the most wide-open race of the Festival for me and my selection is tried and tested grade one animal MIN (5/1 WIN) who will have to bounce back from a disappointing performance at the Dublin Racing Festival. Paul Townend had a pick of strong rides here and it is interesting he has landed on Min here.

One I’m willing to take a chance on here each way is Fanion D’estruval (50/1 E/W) who I think was going to win the Peterborough Chase here at Cheltenham in December before taking a crashing fall when coming into contention.  The Venetia Williams charge has been pitched in over a shorter distance on his two appearances since and I think we can definatley run into a place here back over the extended distance providing we get a clean round of jumping.

 

3.05 Paddys Power Stayers Hurdle

The feature race of the Thursday is the Stayers Hurdle which is contested over 3m. Both of my ante post fancies Roksana and Ronald Pump do not feature here so I’ve had to go back to the drawing board in search of a selection and with Thyme Hill withdrawing late last week my selection is Paisley Park (2/1 WIN) who seems to have rediscovered his form this season after a disappointing showing in the race last year.

The selection looked like he needed the run in the Long Distance Hurdle on his seasonal reappearance at Newbury when he succumbing to Thyme Hill by just over a length. The 9-year-old clearly came on for that run and took out his rival in the Long Walk at Ascot giving the impression there may have been more under the bonnet when running through the line.

3.40 Paddy Power Plate Handicap Chase 

The next race is the Paddy Power Chase which is contested over 2m 4f were The Shunter will be looking to land the £100,000.00 bonus for the shrewd Emmet Mullins who has employed the highly rated 7lbs claimer Jordan Gainford for the ride.

Whilst all eyes are on the Mullins charge I will be looking to take him on with a group horse in a handicap in the shape of Top Notch (25/1 E/W) who did not disgrace himself in the Peterborough Chase on his seasonal reappearance. The Nicky Henderson charge has always operated at high level and with Luca Morgan taking off a handy 7lbs here we could easily run into a place.

The selection has recently had a wind op and I’m hoping this combined with cheekpieces will work the trick to eek out a good performance.

 

4.15 Dawn Run Mares Novice Hurdle 

The next race is Dawn Run Mares Novice Hurdle which is ran over 2m. This looks like another wide-open contest and Willie Mullins comes in here mob handed.  The one I’m keen on here is Hook Up (13/2 WIN) who looks like she will appreciate the step up in trip to 2m 4f after running on in eye-catching fashion in the grade 1 Chanelle Pharma at the Dublin Racing Festival.

The Willie Mullins charge was mixing it with geldings that day and certainly did not disgrace herself. I’m hoping for a bold showing here in what is a difficult race for punters.

 

4.50 Kim Muir Challenge Cup

The final race of the day is the Kim Muir which is run over 3m 2f.  My selection here is Storm Control (16/1 E/W) who seems to relish a visit to Cheltenham winning here twice this season. The Kerry Lee charge is rising through the weight but course and distance form cannot be ignored here. The 9-year-old did not get the trip of 3m 4f last time out and will thrive by returning to his usual trip.

I expect to see the selection bowl our from the front and set the fractions hopefully Richard Patrick gives him the perfect ride and we see another front runner land the spoils.

 

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