The Cheltenham Festival is a race meeting unmatched in terms of widespread popularity with racing and sports enthusiasts alike.
We are now halfway through this year’s Festival and Henry Hardwicke is back to run us through his hot tips for Thursday’s action from the Cotswolds
Cheltenham Festival 2024 Day 3 Experts’ Best Bets
1:30 – Turners Novices’ Chase
Experts’ Best Bet: Grey Dawning at 5/2
It’s hard to ignore anything Willie Mullins runs at Cheltenham, but Turners Novices’ Chase favourite Facile Vega does look one to oppose.
Grey Dawning, Ginny’s Destiny and Iroko all look to hold strong claims, and the style in which Grey Dawning won at Warwick last time out, swings things in favour of Dan Skelton’s charge.
2:10 – Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle
Experts’ Best Bet: Gabbys Cross at 10/1
Gabbys Cross ran well in a Pertemps qualifier over three miles on soft ground at Punchestown and Henry de Bromhead’s nine-year-old looks to hold a massive chance in the final.
The De Bromhead-trained runner goes to post off a mark of 133 this afternoon, but he has been rated as high as 144 over fences and the return to hurdles looks to have been a shrewd move.
2:50 – Ryanair Chase
Experts’ Best Bet: Ahoy Senor at 11/1
The ground has surely gone for Ryanair ante-post favourtie Banbridge and Ahoy Senor looks great value to take down the crown.
Lucinda Russell’s runner may well have won the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham in January had the jockey’s stirrup not snapped and that was a sign that Ahoy Senor is still capable of running to near his career peak.
3:30 – Stayers’ Hurdle
Experts’ Best Bet: Sire Du Berlais at 16/1
Plenty of water has passed under the bridge and Sire Du Berlais is now a 12-year-old, but Gordon Elliott’s charge had stablemate Teahupoo back in third when winning this race last year and it’s hard to fathom how Sire Du Berlais is 20/1 and Teahupoo 2s.
The 12-year-old comes alive in the spring, he has form figures of 411201 at the Cheltenham Festival and another big run is on the cards.
4:10 – TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase
Experts’ Best Bet: Torn And Frayed at 40/1
Torn And Frayed looks worth a punt at a big price in the Plate Handicap Chase. The 10-year-old has form figures of 56F1233 at Cheltenham, and while Nigel Twiston-Davies’ charge finished down the field at Ascot last time out, there was some eye-catching headway in that contest and the stable may not have been targeting that race.
The ground shouldn’t be an issue for Torn And Frayed, who has finished in the first two in 10 of his 22 rules starts and another big run can be expected on Thursday.
4:50 – Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle
Experts’ Best Bet: Golden Ace at 10/1
The Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle is a cracking race with at least four top-level performers holding a big chance. The market has latched onto the chances of Brighterdaysahead, Jade De Grugy and Dysart Enos, but it may have missed Golden Ace.
Jeremy Scott’s runner has top-level bumper form and she has looked seriously impressive when winning her two hurdles starts at Taunton, without coming off the bridle.
This is a step up, but Golden Ace looks excellent value to take it in her stride.
5:30 – Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup
Experts’ Best Bet: Rapper at 16/1
Rapper is unlikely to fluff his lines in the Kim Muir and the Henry Daly-trained 10-year-old looks a good each-way bet in the final race on Thursday’s card.
Rapper was beaten only a length by Threeunderthrufive in a solid race at Ascot last time out and the first-time visor appeared to spark the 10-year-old into life. This course and distance winner looks capable of another big performance.
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