Hopefully the bookies will be cowering for cover by now and restricting all our bets. Ha Ha. Day 3 only survives for me because it has a banker. With my record on the other races on the Thursday, I'd probably not bother betting, but luckily I know I can always get it back.
JEWSON NOVICE CHASE
This is a pretty tough one that is very open at the top end. Obviously PEDDLARS CROSS has to be respected, having swerved the Arkle for this. He did win over this sort of trip as a novice hurdler and it may well be the furture for him rather than the frantic 2 milers. Paul Nicholl's CRISTAL BONUS has made a terrific start to his chasing career with 2 wins from 2 starts, I guess the only issue with him is what he has beaten, but these Novices are always progressing and he will be a big player. SIR DES CHAMPS, the unbeaten Irish raider, he would probably be my pick for this if I'm to be truly honest. He won at the festival last year in the Martin Pipe race and since then has shown he can scoot away to win, or win in a scrap. The race he won in a scrap, he was hampered, switched and still got home. 2 that will be put out in front and try to do the business are Martin Keighley's CHAMPION COURT, who looked very strong when holding off SOLIX at the track in January. Since unseating at Perth when every chance of winning on return from a break he has only bean beaten by GRAND CRUS, JOIN TOGETHER and MOSSLEY, not bad. The other one is ZAYNAR. on his day he can be good, the only problem is his day doesn't seem to end in 'y'. I think he is an attractive price solely because he generally does ok at Cheltenham and if he jumps well he won't be far off the winner.
SIR DES CHAMPS 10pts WIN @ 4/1 (THE BIG 4)
CHAMPION COURT 2pts E/W @ 8/1
ZAYNAR 1pt E/W @ 25/1
PERTEMPS FINAL
Not one really to get involved in until the day, and all runners are known, unless you've been following one of these all year, and I haven't. Well that's a bit of a lie. I had a decent bet for SONOFVIC for the RSA, and now he appears to be going here. Another that I might be interested in if lining up is David Pipe's POOLE MASTER, he is on an upward curve and could be very well treated for this. A tough race, the only pointers readily available are to stay away from French Breds and 5yo's, other than that, wait for thursday morning and pick the one or two that you like.
RYANAIR CHASE
Potentially one of the most competitive races at the festival, alongside the Jewson. Generally here they need Course and if possible Festival form. Also Stamina plays a big part as does ability, no horse rated lower than 156 has won this. RIVERSIDE THEATRE will most likely go off favourite but I can't have that, he has only run once at Cheltenham and didn't run anywhere near as well as expected. RUBI LIGHT is one on my list, third in this race last year, his form has held up in between and comes in well having blown away a Grade 2 field at Gowran lto. The other one is unlikely to run in this but if CAPTAIN CHRIS lines up I think he will win, and at NRNB terms the price is hugely generous.
RUBI LIGHT 5pts WIN @ 6/1 (Betfred, Blue Square, Totesport)
CAPTAIN CHRIS 5pts E/W @ 16/1
WORLD HURDLE
I've only really been betting on horses properly for about 5-6 years, in that time I've backed 2 horses only in this race, INGLIS DREVER and BIG BUCKS. BIG BUCKS will win again, but I fear I may need to pick a new one next year. I will go on whichever comes second for this year. I'm going to put it out there and say it will be a French bred 1-2-3 in this. BIG BUCKS to win, with second and third any 2 from SO YOUNG, THOUSAND STARS and DYNASTE. The latter pushed BIG BUCKS for a little while in the Cleeve Hurdle, and has plenty of room to progress. The other 2 look most likely to enjoy the step up in trip than OSCAR WHISKY. And with Irish bred horses having such a poor record I would be happy to Place Lay OW.
BIG BUCKS 200pts WIN @ 4/7 (Paddy Power)
SO YOUNG 2.5pts E/W @ 16/1 (Vctor Chandler, Coral)
DYNASTE 2.5pts E/W @ 14/1
BYRNE PLATE
A graveyard for favourites and horses up the top end of the weights. Another race to wait for the day. Although Ferdy Murphy's DIVERS makes appeal as he saves all his best racing for Cheltenham, and this is looking like the preferred race now for Venetia's NICEONEFRANKIE, Venetia has won this race twice in recent years.
NICEONEFRANKIE 5pts E/W @ 20/1 (William Hill)
KIM MUIR CHALLENGE CUP
Older horses with stamina win this race, it is also a breeding ground for Grand National winners, so that is the type of horse we are looking for. BECAUSEICOULDN'TSEE i actually done for the National last year, my hopes and dreams came down with him and Davy at the second fence. He last took his chance at the festival 2 years ago when finishing second, and had a decent spin over hurdles in a race he could never win lto. Phillip Hobbs' MOSTLY BOB also comes in here in good nick, have put away former National winner MON MOME away last time out at the track. And finally one more for luck is that man Ferdy Murphy again with THE HOLLINWELL. He's a pretty consistent sort when getting round unscathed and worth a little each way.
BECAUSEICOULDN'TSEE 5pts E/W @ 14/1 (VC, Coral, Sky, WH)
MOSTLY BOB 5pts E/W @ 14/1
THE HOLLINWELL 2ptS E/W @ 20/1
Good Luck
Total Points advised = 275
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