We’re hoping that there’ll be no early drama for today’s seven-race card – at least until the racing starts – after Wednesday’s mishap.
The Paddy Power Stayer’s Hurdle is the headline act at 15:30 where Teahupoo is hoping to go a couple of places better than last season when denied by stablemate Sire Du Berlais who also lines up again.
And while this heavyweight bout splits the action, there’s still plenty of questions to be answered on the undercard as we enter the final two days of the four-day fiesta.
Will Facile Vega (1.30pm) finally show the world what he’s capable of? Will the month long gamble on Crebilly (4.10pm) be realised. And will Nicky Henderson’s runners bounce back to form?
Courtesy of Paddy Power News, their pundits Mick Fitzgerald, Ruby Walsh, Paddy Mullins, Matt Chapman and Nina Carberry offer up their tips for day three below…
Trainer Gordon Elliott has kept Teahupoo fresh for the Stayers’ Hurdle on Thursday
1.30 TURNERS NOVICES’ CHASE
Mick Fitzgerald
I fancy a British winner in this as we swap to the New Course for the next two days. GREY DAWNING (9/4 with Paddy Power) has solid form.
Matt Chapman
Now the mud has come I’m all over GREY DAWNING for the team of jockey Harry and trainer Dan Skelton. This grey has always had plenty of talent.
Paddy Mullins
FACILE VEGA should appreciate the step up in trip and soft ground will help him show his true ability.
Ruby Walsh
I’m not going to desert FACILE VEGA. The way Willie Mullins turned around Gaelic Warrior shows you can’t go against his runners.
Nina Carberry
I fancy FACILE VEGA. He’s crying out to go up in trip.
2.10 PERTEMPS NETWORK HURDLE
Mick Fitzgerald
ICARE ALLEN (9/1 with Paddy Power) is very interesting, there’s more to come from him. MILL GREEN is consistent and has an each-way chance.
Matt Chapman
Could LE MILOS be well handicapped? He’s on 142 here and was second at Kelso in a chase in March last year off 152. Will act on the ground.
Paddy Mullins
GAOTH CHUIL has been hugely consistent this season and has a lovely light weight.
Ruby Walsh
I’m hoping my dad’s GAOTH CHUIL (each-way) can deliver a third Festival winner for him. She will definitely stay and she can run into the money.
Nina Carberry
I’m going with GAOTH CHUIL. She’s been on form all season.
Envoi Allen is chasing a fourth Festival success in Ryanair Chase defence on Thursday
2.50 RYANAIR CHASE
Mick Fitzgerald
I am wary of the ground conditions for BANBRIDGE so if he doesn’t run then ENVOI ALLEN is probably the one to beat.
Matt Chapman
PROTEKTORAT (10/1 with Paddy Power) has a cracking each-way chance for trainer Dan and jockey Harry Skelton. Rated 165 he’s bang in the mix and he’s not been disgraced behind Shishkin and L’Homme Presse this term.
Paddy Mullins
CAPODANNO will handle soft ground which will help negate the drop in trip to 2m 5f. There are question marks over plenty of others.
Ruby Walsh
In my opinion, ENVOI ALLEN will win at Cheltenham for a fourth time and Henry de Bromhead’s horses have done brilliantly this week.
Nina Carberry
BANBRIDGE has got a massive chance, hopefully the ground won’t spoil his chances of running if it gets too soft.
Envoi Allen has tasted success at Cheltenham before and is out to repeat the trick
3.30 STAYERS’ HURDLE
Mick Fitzgerald
TEAHUPOO is my fancy. He’s still only a seven-year-old and there is definitely more to come. The key to him performing at his best is that he runs well fresh and he hasn’t run since December.
Matt Chapman
I like the improving CRAMBO (each-way). He has defeated Paisley Park at Ascot but, most importantly, is back on watery ground which he hasn’t had since loving heavy at Sandown in March last year. A cracking chance to get in the frame at the very least.
Paddy Mullins
TEAHUPOO (7/4 with Paddy Power) was beaten as a six-year-old last year but is in his prime now and holds the best current form, from the Hattons Grace Hurdle.
Ruby Walsh
NOBLE YEATS has a huge chance (each-way) now fitted with headgear. I can’t see him out of the places.
Nina Carberry
TEAHUPOO was placed last season and can go a couple of places better now.
Teahupoo is among the frontrunners and tipped by Nina Carberry, Mick Fitzgerald and Paddy Mullins
4.10 TRUSTATRADER HANDICAP CHASE
Mick Fitzgerald
CREBILLY is ticking a lot of boxes for me as he’s been progressive all season.
Matt Chapman
SHAKEM UP’ARRY (10/1 with Paddy Power) loves soft ground and won really well at the track last time. He’s up 3lb for that but in these conditions that might not stop him.
Paddy Mullins
Irish raider GLENGOULY could still be unexposed and the drop back in trip will help him.
Ruby Walsh
I like RIAAN at a decent each-way price. I was really impressed with his run at the Dublin Racing Festival.
Nina Carberry
CREBILLY has made steady progress all season and could be well handicapped on some of his form.
4.50 RYANAIR MARES NOVICES’ HURDLE
Mick Fitzgerald
BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD is a major player, the quality is there for all to see and she’s unbeaten.
Matt Chapman
BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD has been a talking horse and all we have to hope is that she’s not another Samcro! The mare is the apple of trainer Gordon Elliott’s eye.
Paddy Mullins
DYSART ENOS (5/1 with Paddy Power) could be hard to beat getting weight from Jade De Grugy and Brigherdaysahead who both carry a penalty.
Ruby Walsh
The way Gordon Elliott talks about Brighterdaysahead is infectious. I can’t walk away from Willie Mullins’ JADE DE GRUGY but maybe I should listen to Gordon!
Nina Carberry
JADE DE GRUGY looks more the finished article than market rival Brighterdaysahead.
Jade de Grugy has weight to carry but still has a brilliant chance in the Novices Hurdle
5.30 FULKE WALWYN KIM MUIR CHASE
Mick Fitzgerald
A tricky amateur jockey’s handicap over 3m 2f to end the card. Henry de Bromhead’s AMIRITE seems fairly handicapped.
Matt Chapman
AMIRITE is okay in soft ground and has an each-way chance so the pin falls on him for Henry de Bromhead and 3lb conditional Noel McParlan. Hasn’t won for a little while but last time was fifth in the Paddy Power Chase when running on well.
Paddy Mullins
AMIRITE has been around the course and ran well in the Paddy Power Chase at Christmas at Leopardstown. This is a drop in class for him.
Ruby Walsh
Inothewayurthinkin is at the top of the market but I have my doubts over the 3m2f distance and his pedigree. Instead, I’ll have two picks and side with AMIRITE (10/1 with Paddy Power) and WHERE IT ALL BEGAN as each-way plays.
Nina Carberry
INOTHEWAYURTHINKIN has been lined up for this race all season and can deliver now.
