After another pretty punter friendly day with only El Fabiolo pulling up saving the bookies a huge payout! So now the greatest show on turf rolls on to Thursday and once again we've got a great preview of it all for you here on The Cheeky Punts with and extra bonus of our very own stat attack for all 7 races
Thursday 14th March
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1:30pm Turners Novice Chase (Grade 1) 2m4f
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We are at the half way point of this years Festival and the opener on Day 3 is a real quality and competitive affair to start the day.
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This looks a high class renewal of the Turners, and the top of my shortlist for the race is actually the Martin Pipe winner from last years Festival – Iroko.
The JP McManus 6 year old was really impressive last year in a race that has worked out really well and then made an excellent start to his chasing career when scoring at Warwick in November beating Golden Son by 3 ¼ lengths.
He unfortunately got injured shortly after and looked to be out of the Festival, but recent reports suggest he is absolutely flying at home and was taken for a gallop morning recently at Exeter where he really impressed JP McManus racing manager AP McCoy.
Though a lot need to be taken for granted with just the one chase start to date, I do feel he has the quality to win this race and would be one of the first names on my shortlist for this contest.
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Dan Skelton saddles the well regarded Grey Dawning, a horse he felt coming into the Festival was his best chance of a winner. One of the most eye catching performances of the season came last time out at Warwick when smashing Apple Away by 14 lengths and really should have beat Ginnys Destiny over 2m4f at the track before the Christmas break.
I am sure he will be ridden prominently throughout and hard to see him not being involved at the business end.
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Facile Vega could simply be the best horse in this field, and there is an easy case to make that he has been crying out for this step up in trip. Trainer Willie Mullins has always held this 7 yr old in the highest regard and thought he was a potential superstar when winning the Champion Bumper at the 2022 Festival.
He does need to jump better and with more fluency, but if Mullins has him back to his best and gets into a good racing rhythm might be hard to beat over this trip.
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Ginnys Destiny will have his supporters, and brings the vital course and distance form into these contest – in fact he has won 3 on the trot all over course and distance.
He clearly acts at the track, but 2 of those victories were in handicap company and this would be the best field he has ever faced.
He has been impressive on the clock, and should be respected, but personally just feel he may find one too classy at the business end.
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One horse that might be overpriced is the Gavin Cromwell trained Letsbeclearaboutit.
The 9 year old looked to be going down the handicap route, but the trainer has instead opted to come for this race and was very impressive at the start of the season though has been slightly disappointing since.
If bouncing back to the form we saw when thumping Mighty Tom by 10 lengths at Cork he must enter calculations.
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Selections:
Iroko Each-Way, 13/2
2:10pm Pertemps Handicap Hurdle 3m
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The second race of the day does not get any easier at all, with another highly competitive handicap hurdle which is the Pertemps over 3miles.
As mentioned numerous times throughout these previews it will be beneficial to hedge your bet’s and have more than one selection in a race such as this but there are a couple that would be at the top of my shortlist.
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The top of the list would be the Henry De Bromhead trained Gabbys Cross who I did manage to get a few quid on at 25/1 in the build up to the Festival.
He was a big eye-catcher when chasing home Buddy One at Galway back in October and then once again jumped off the page when chasing home the well handicapped Jody Ted in the qualifier at Punchestown back in November.
It is a tip in itself that Henry has kept his powder dry since November to protect his handicap mark and I would expect him to go close here from a mark of 133.
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A British trained runner I am also very keen on for this contest is the Jonjo O’Neil trained Springwell Bay, who will be running in the blinkers for the first time.
He qualified for this race after finishing 2nd in the qualifier at Musselburgh won by Curley Finger, a race that really caught the eye with its winning speed figure, and this looks to have been the plan all season so could prove well handicapped at the current time.
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Another UK trained runner who has been subject of positive vibes is the Dan Skelton trained Le Milos, who might prove to be a big runner in this from a mark of 142.
The 9 year old is rated 150 over fences, and was a winner of the Hennessey Gold Cup over fences at Newbury back in November ‘22, so if this has been the target you would have to think he is really well treated at the current time.
There is no better target trainer than Dan Skelton and no surprise if is strong in the market throughout the day.
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An Irish dark horse could be Noble Birth for trainer Eric McNamara. He won the qualifier at Naas when beating Cleatus Poolaw, a race run on real soft ground not dissimilar to what they will experience this afternoon, and both the manner of the victory and the time they clocked suggested there could be plenty more to come.
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Selections:
Gabbys Cross, Each-Way 11/1 6 places
Springwell Bay, Each-Way 16/1 6 places
2:50pm Ryanair Chase (Grade 1) 2m 4 1/2f
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This is one of the tightest Grade 1 contests of the week and to be honest, not a race that I am personally overly strong on.
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Once it was confirmed that the race would be run on soft/ heavy ground, I couldn’t quite believe the price of the Gordon Elliott trained Conflated, who is the joint highest rated coming into the race and is a confirmed mudlark, and was available at 8/1 until late on Tuesday evening.
He is the type of horse that does not win as often as he possibly should, but has pieces of form that would be standout for a race such as this, including when chasing home Galopin Des Champs in last years Gold Cup at the Festival.
Though he is probably better over slightly further, there is a fair bit of pace in this race so it could turn into a test of stamina and Conflated will be staying on up the hill better than most.
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Another that strikes me as still overlooked is the Dan Skelton trained Protektorat.
The 9yr old is owned by a syndicate that includes Sir Alex Ferguson, and also chased home Galopin Des Champs in last years Gold Cup when not really looking to get home over the trip.
If coping with this more of a speed test, and back to somewhere near his best he also looks overpriced and is another who will be doing his best work at the business end.
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Envoi Allen is sure to be popular with punters, a 3 time winner at the Festival and the winner of this race last year.
Henry De Bromhead has campaigned the horse well this year, last seen just going down by neck to Gerri Colombe at Down Royal over 3miles in the Grade 1 contest, and this drop back in trip will certainly suit.
He acts fine on soft ground but wouldn't appreciate it too heavy, but is a class animal – who clearly loves the track and another big run on the cards
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Another winner from last year’s Festival is Stage Star for trainer Paul Nicholls.
The 8 yr old won the Turners last March and is another who clearly thrives at Prestbury Park.
You do need to forgive the ran on New Years Day when was pulled up after never really putting his best foot forward, but the vibes from the yard is that he is back in flying form.
He is one that will make the pace, sure to lead and jump fence to fence and supporters will be hoping he is hard to pass.
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Two others I wouldn't totally discount is the frustrating Ahoy Senor and the progressive Fugitif, both of whom would have place claims if putting there best foot forward.
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Selections:
Conflated, Each-Way 7/1 4 places
Protektorat, Each-Way 10/1 4 places
3:30pm Stayers Hurdle (Grade 1) 3m
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The Highlight on Day 3 is the Stayers Hurdle and this years renewal is probably the most complex Grade 1 to solve for the entire Festival.
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The likely Favourite is the Gordon Elliott trained Teahupoo, who has been heavily backed since the ground turned heavy at the start of the week.
The 7 yr old will love conditions and many would argue he should have won the race last year when Jockey Davy Russell had a rare off-day and had to be switched numerous times on the run-in to only be beaten by ¾ lengths.
That being said, last year’s race was not exactly a golden renewal of the race – and he had plenty of time to go past the eventual winner if he was good enough so not a horse that personally I would be looking to back with maximum confidence.
Sure to go well, and the vibes from the Elliott yard are very strong indeed.
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The ‘newcomer’ on the staying scene is the Fergal O’Brien trained Crambo, and is another who I think is likely to be bang there at the business end of this staying contest.
The yard have never hidden the fact of how high they rate this 7 yr old, and improved again to beat Paisley Park in the Grade 1 Long Walk hurdle at Ascot just before Christmas, a performance that would put him right in the mix for today’s contest.
He would need to improve again to win this, but the yard feel he is on the upgrade and working really well and would be no surprise to see him win and gift the trainer his first Cheltenham Festival winner.
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The former Grand National pops up here, Noble Yeats – for the shrewd yard of Emmet Mullins.
There is no doubt that he will be staying on best of all, and the quicker they go the better for this 9 yr old but he may struggle to go with the fractions early doors.He won the Cleeve Hurdle here on trials day so does set the standard and is very interesting that the trainer has added the cheek pieces again which he last done when winning the Grand National back in 2022.
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There are some great old names in this, the likes of last years winner Sire De Berlais, the legendary stayer Paisley Park, the touch 11 yr old Dashel Drasher and not to mention the dual winner Flooring Porter for Gavin Cromwell – all of whom would not look out of place in the top 3 should they run their races, highlighting what a tricky contest this is to assess for punters.
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Selections:
Crambo, Each-Way 6/1 places
4:10pm – Plate Handicap Chase 2m 4 1/2f
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Another tight handicap, but this does look very winnable this year and another where I have drafted a shortlist of the likely horses to focus on.
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Another horse that I did have a small bet on at nice price prior to the festival is Theatre Man, for young trainer Richard Bandey.
The 8 year old really caught the eye and went into many notebooks when staying on well behind Ginny Destiny's on trials day, a real strong form-line considering a number of runners in the field are now contesting graded races.
He didn’t look to get home over the 2m 7f trip at Newbury the effort before this, so conditions look ideal and he looks primed to run another big race at a track he seems to excel at.
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Another to the top of the market who is hard to ignore is Crebilly for trainer Jonjo O’Neil.
His profile very much screams of a horse that has been protected in order to avoid his handicap mark going up, and looks very well in from this current mark of 140.
The form of the Exeter run when winning on heavy ground looks rock solid, and would be no surprise if this horse is contesting graded races in the near future. A big chance and should be respected.
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I also think Il Ridoto is worth another chance and shouldn’t be discounted.
The 7 yr old always runs well at Cheltenham and has put up some impressive figures on the clock this season to suggest he is well capable of going close in another big handicap such as this.
Soft ground will not be an issue and trainer Paul Nicholls seems confident of a big run once again.
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Saint Felicien is another who I have had on my radar for Festival Handicaps for a while now, and if well supported in the markets it would be significant as is a horse that Gordon Elliott has always held in the highest regard and would expect to go close from a mark of 146.
His form has been franked recently and conditions are very much in his favour.
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Selections:
Saint Felicien, Each-Way 9/1 5 places
4:50pm – Ryanair Mares Novice Hurdle 2m 1f
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This looks a cracking race, one of the highlights of the week for many, with three mares with huge reputations all going to the start.
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Trainer Gordon Elliott would certainly know when he has a proper horse on his hands, so you need to sit up and take notice when he suggests that Brighterdaysahead could be one of the best horses he has ever had in his yard.
The 5 yr old is 5 from 5, unbeaten over hurdles and couldn’t have been more impressive when last seen scoring by 12 lengths at Navan in a Grade 3 event.
The vibes from the yard is the only way she would be beaten this afternoon was if the ground come up very quick, and we clearly have no danger of that so looks the one they all have to beat.
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Willie Mullins has an excellent record in this race, and this year his main hope is the well regarded Jade De Grugy, running in the familiar Honeysuckle colours of owner Kenny Alexander.
She is a real slick jumper who has been very impressive in both starts to date and is hard to estimate just how high she could go in the hurdle ranks.
Mullins would have had many options he could have sent for this race so is significant that he has been talking this mare up and must hold her in some regard.
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Fergal O’Brien has never hidden the fact of just how highly he rates the unbeaten mare Dysart Enos, and she escapes a penalty for her 3 victories this year as all were outside graded races.
You could not help but be impressed by the performance when spread eagling the field in the mares bumper at the Aintree Festival at the end of last season, and would not be a surprise if she is seen travelling really strongly throughout this contest. A very high class mare.
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One at bigger prices that should not be discounted is the Jeremy Scott trained Golden Ace.
She has been really impressive on the clock and beat the Nicky Henderson trained Lucky Place at Taunton in January, a form-line that has been franked numerous times and the trainer thinks she is a top class mare. I certainly wouldn't put any one off looking towards her to upset those with the huge reputations at the top of the betting markets.
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Selections:
Brighterdaysahead, 6/4
Golden Ace Each-Way, 14/1 Various
5:30pm – Kim Muir Amateur Jockeys Handicap Chase 3m2f
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This is the one race on the day I do not have a real strong opinion about, so personally might give the race a miss, but could suggest a couple of runners that could run well and would be high up the list of possible winners.
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The first place to start would be with the Gavin Cromwell trained Inothewayurthinkin.
Cromwell has secured the services of the best rider in the race, Derek O’Connor which is very significant and certainly boosts the chances of the JP McManus owned 6 yr old.
He put up a good performance chasing home the Arkle winner Gaelic Warrior at Limerick over the Christmas period and if this step up in trip is to suit he could prove to be really well handicapped from an opening mark of 145.
The one question mark is the trip, but expect to see him travelling well and if O’Connor can save some stamina is the most likely winner in a tight race.
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Another I am very keen on is the Paul Nolan trained Daily Present, who I was very pleased to see sneak in at the bottom of the weights.
I am positive this horse is much better than his current mark of 127 and returned to form last time out at Down royal to score on soft ground. This was a strong form line and you only have to look back to his novice hurdle form when he was beating the likes of Bronn, before being tried in Grade 1 company to think that a mark of 127 is very lenient indeed.
No surprise if he is well backed from his current price.
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Bowtogreatness must have a chance for inform trainer Ben Pauling and owner Harry Redknapp.
He put up a big performance behind Forward Plan at Kempton last time out and would have no issues with the underfoot conditions having scored on heavy ground previously.
A horse that probably does not win as often as he should, but looks well handicapped and the type to go well.
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Amirite is another that looks unexposed and could be open to all sort’s of improvement for trainer Henry De Bromhead, and would be a decent each-way option.
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Selections:
Daily Present, 14/1 Each-Way, 6 places
Placepot
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As often mentioned at the major Festivals, it is always worthwhile throwing a couple of quid at the Placepot each-day.
The Tote are guaranteeing a pot of £1million each day during the Festival and worth noting that it actually paid around £40,000 to a £1 stake just a couple of seasons back.
Today’s Placepot suggestion:
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Race 1: 6, 5
Race 2: 19, 2
Race 3: 4, 10
Race 4: 4, 9
Race 5: 5, 14
Race 6: 2
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Good Luck and thanks for reading, and if you enjoyed our content please share with your racing friends too