Thursday is St Patrick’s Day at the Cheltenham Festival and the big feature race of the day is the Stayers Hurdle. However, with the rising status and popularity of the Ryanair, that adds another top feature to the third day of the Festival. There will be plenty of Irish raiders out and about on the day looking for success to celebrate the occasion. It all gets underway early in the afternoon with the JLT Novices.
1.30 The JLT Novices’ Chase (2m 5f)
This popular Chase did have Footpad as an entry but he is skipping to get the Arkle success for Willie Mullins. Willoughby Court has also been removed from the race along with Monalee who goes to the RSA. So it pretty much leaves Invitation Only at the head of the market in now what appears to be a really wide open field. Invitation Only finished only a length behind Monalee in the Flogas Novice Chase while Benatar at a bigger price could have plenty of appeal as well. He goes uneaten over the fences and one of those was an Ascot Grade Two success in the Mitie Noel over Finian’s Oscar. Finian’s Oscar, if he can just his jumping together would make a run, but we are sticking with Benatar to continue impressive form for 7/1 odds at bet365* (betting odds taken on March 12th, 2018 at 6:53 p.m.).
Invitation Only 11/4, Terrefort 9/2, Modus 6/1, Finians Oscar 7/1, Benatar 7/1, Shattered Love 9/1, Bigmarte 14/1, Kemboy 16/1, Snow Falcon 16/1, bar 33/1* (betting odds taken on March 12th, 2018 at 6:53 p.m.).
2.10 The Pertemps Network Final (A Handicap Hurdle Race) (3m)
Some great prices in this one and there is a great each way shout out of the gate on Forza Milan. He has one victory over the hurdles, but that was in a big field. That is his sole success though but has six second-place finishes from his other appearances, one of them being to Louis’ Vac Pouch. Glenloe heads up the market here and has done pretty well on his seasonal outings so far including a third place in a Cheltenham qualifier. That lack of a win shouldn’t phase punters as only one of the last 20 winners of the Pertemps won a qualifier prior.
Glenloe 7/1, Louis Vac Pouch 9/1, Sort It Out 10/1, Who Dares Wins 12/1, Forza Milan 14/1, Delta Work 14/1, Tommy Rapper 14/1, The Organist 14/1, 16/ bar* (betting odds taken on March 12th, 2018 at 6:53 p.m.).
2.50 The Ryanair Steeple Chase (2m 5f)
What a lineup there is in this one. This is such a popular race now at the Cheltenham Festival. Last year’s winner Un De Sceaux is back and raring to go again. He just couldn’t be contained twelve months ago to land his second Cheltenham prize and on the back of his hattrick of Clarence House wins, he is the strongest option in this field. There will be sentimental and emotional wagers going towards Cue Card to recapture his best, but he doesn’t look quite strong enough. Balko Des Flos doesn’t seem to have the form that suggests he is going to get there, so Cloud Dream makes a good option. He will be better at this distance than recent longer forays and is an each way option. He is consistent but lack wins. Basically, it is hard to see anyone beating Un De Sceaux, but Cloudy Dream is a good contender for second.
Un De Sceaux 5/4, Cue Card 5/1, Balko Des Flos 9/2, Cloudy Dream 7/1, Frodon 10/1, Djakadam 12/1, Sub Lieutenant 14/1, Bachasson 14/1, L’Ami Serge 25/1, bar 50/1* (betting odds taken on March 12th, 2018 at 6:53 p.m.).
3.30 The Sun Bets Stayers’ Hurdle (3m)
This is the Championship race of the day and leading the way is Irish Champion Hurdle winner Supasundae, who looks to get Cheltenham success too this season. He was a winner at the track last season with a victory in the Coral Cup and is going along very well in his development. There’s just no reason why he wouldn’t have another good run in this one. Sam Spinner though has taken a lot of backing to get in a serious challenge. This too is a massively improving horse and has delivered some good wins this season already and is well in the picture in his one. Yanworth should fit the step up to three miles well and has a great record at Prestbury Park. Ge did beat Supasundae comfortably at Aintree as well and can pull all this together and indeed it is Yanworth who gets our nod.
Sam Spinner 4/1, Supasundae 7/2, Yanworth 4/1, Penhill 8/1, The New One 9/1, Unowhatimeanharry 10/1, Bacardys 10/1, Wholestone 10/1, L’Ami Serge 11/1, bar 20/1* (betting odds taken on March 12th, 2018 at 6:53 p.m.).
4.10 The Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate (A Handicap Steeple Chase) (2m 5f)
The Brown Advisory Plate is headed up by Tully East who won the Close Brother last season. There are plenty of Irish options in this one for the St Patrick’s’ Day race. Tully East is up as favourite but really hasn’t been the greatest of form. Looking to have some good appeal in this one is Last Goodbye and The Storyteller both of which have been running and jumping well. Bouvreuil is a longer priced option so good each way value and he has placed in the last two Cheltenham Festival appearances. It’s just such a wide-open field that Last Goodbye at those early 12/1 odds with bet365* (betting odds taken on March 12th, 2018 at 6:53 p.m.). has appeal.
Tully Ease 7/1, Kings Socks 8/1, The Storyteller 9/1, Movewiththetimes 9/1, Patricks Park 10/1, Last Goodbye 12/1, Vieux Morvan 14/1, Romain De Senam 14/1, Snow Falcon 14/1, Bouvreuil 16/1, Ballyalton 16/1, bar 20/1* (betting odds taken on March 12th, 2018 at 6:53 p.m.).
4.50 The Trull House Stud Mares Novices’ Hurdle (3m 1 1/2f)
This is the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle and it could be a one-horse show from the look of it. That will be because of Laurina who is the 8/11 favourite at bet365* (betting odds taken on March 12th, 2018 at 6:53 p.m.). Sounds from connections that she is being worked hard for this one and has the look of being an impressive runner here. Still, it’s worth looking for an each way option and that will be Cap Soleil which looks great value. On her debut, she landed a fantastic win over Countister and bounced back from a loss to land a Haydock contest. She has been rested for the winter and could come out and challenge for a top-three finish.
Laurina 8/11, Marias Benefit 6/1, Stormy Ireland 6/1, Salsarita 7/1, Countister 8/1, Cap Soleil 10/1, Irish Roe 12/1, Dame De Compagnie 16/1, Eoline Jolie 16/1, Spice Girl 16/1, Woolstone One 16/1, bar 25/1* (betting odds taken on March 12th, 2018 at 6:53 p.m.).
5.30 The Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Steeple Chase (1m 5f)
Missed Approach is heading to the Midlands Grand Nation straight after this, but is an exciting one to watch for this one. Squouateur is a short price but has failed to win before as a favourite which has happened in three of his last four outings. That’s a red flag. Pendra was third last season while Mall Dini, who won the 2016 Pertemps was in the picture her last year but was hampered in the close. This looks like a tough race and while Mall Dini appeals to get it right, Pendra at big 14/1 each way odds with bet365* (betting odds taken on March 12th, 2018 at 6:53 p.m.). looks interesting.
Mall Dini 11/2, Squouateur 6/1, Missed Approach 11/1, Sugar Baron 12/1, Pendra 14/1, Band of Blood 16/1, 20/1 bar* (betting odds taken on March 12th, 2018 at 6:53 p.m.).
