Races

Andrew Hawkins’ Cheltenham Preview: Day 3

Posted on | Posted by Andrew Hawkins

RACE 1

Day 3 sees a move from Cheltenham’s “Old Course” to the “New Course”. It’s similar to Sandown having both a Lakeside and a Hillside track. Generally, the Old Course plays to horses with speed while the New Course is a test of stamina – something to keep in mind with the rest of the Festival run on the New Course. The Day 3 opener is the Turners Novices’ Chase over just shy of 4000m. While it has been run for just over a decade, it features some of the more popular chasers on its honour roll. There’s no doubt that MIGHTY POTTER has the best form, including a win over Tuesday’s victor Gaillard du Mesnil this season, but his jumping is clunky at times which means it may not be the easiest watch. Instead, it’s worth siding with STAGE STAR based on his course and distance handicap win last time out. It’s a much tougher ask this but he is a joy to watch and you are getting a decent enough price to find out with him.

Numbers: 8-6-1-2

Suggested Bet: Stage Star WIN

RACE 2

The Pertemps Network Final over 4800m is a handicap hurdle restricted to horses who have placed first, second, third or fourth in one of 15 qualifiers. In that respect, it is similar to a race like the Big Dance in NSW. It can often throw up horses who will go on to make good staying chasers, too. In what is a very evenly handicapped group, perhaps it’s worth looking outside the market elects. A couple that create interest are COLTOR, who is racing well for new trainer Roger Fell and looks set to peak here, and WAKOOL, who is coming off a win but now must defy a career-high mark. They are two worth playing ahead of the well-found WALKING ON AIR.

Numbers: 8-6-12-9

Suggested Bet: Coltor EACH WAY

RACE 3

The G1 Ryanair Chase over 4150m, or thereabouts, is one of two features on Day 3. Introduced in 2005 as another option for class chasers too stout for the two-mile Queen Mother Memorial Chase and too swift for the demanding 5300m Cheltenham Gold Cup, it usually attracts a small, select field. Clearly the one to beat is SHISHKIN, who won the Supreme in 2020 and the Arkle in 2021 but was pulled up in the Queen Mother Memorial Chase last year. He disappointed in the Tingle Creek fresh but, following wind surgery and up in trip in the Ascot Chase, he powered clear to reassert his dominance. His rivals have plenty to find on ratings and it does look a one-act affair. Another two-time Festival winner, ENVOI ALLEN, looks best of the rest.

Numbers: 9-3-1-2

Suggested Bet: Shishkin WIN

RACE 4

The traditional feature of the Thursday of the Cheltenham Festival is the Stayers’ Hurdle, formerly the World Hurdle. This is one of the most confusing races of the week. FLOORING PORTER aims to join the inimitable Big Buck’s as a three-time winner of the race (Big Buck’s won four), while another former winner in PAISLEY PARK also lines up. Throw in BLAZING KHAL, who is unbeaten over fences; impressive last-start winners TEAHUPOO and HOME BY THE LEE; six-time Grade 1 winner KLASSICAL DREAM; and French raider GOLD TWEET, who won his only start in the UK at the course and distance, and it is really a complex puzzle to figure out. With little confidence at all, going to have something on Klassical Dream, but it could go any which way really. One at odds that could surprise is SIRE DU BERLAIS, who was second in this race in 2021 and was a two-time winner of the Pertemps too.

Numbers: 8-10-4-5

Suggested Bet: Klassical Dream EACH WAY

RACE 5

The Magners Plate Handicap Chase over 4150m is another of these big field handicaps that are almost impossible to decipher. Intrigued by CHAMPAGNE GOLD here as there were a number of races he could have gone towards otherwise. Coming from the yard of the shrewd Henry de Bromhead, think he’s right in this fresh and his profile suggests he’s the right type of horse for this race. IL RIDOTO, SHAKEM UP’ARRY, SO SCOTTISH and SEDDON are next best in that order, while GEMIRANDE must be included if he gets a run as first reserve. But this is a race that I could look at 10 times and come up with 10 different answers.

Numbers: 15-7-16-12

Suggested Bet: Champagne Gold EACH WAY

RACE 6

One of the most emotional races of the week will be the G2 Jack De Bromhead Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, named for young Jack De Bromhead who died after a fall during a pony race in September aged 13. His father Henry saddles up MAGICAL ZOE, FOXY GIRL, LADYBANK, BELLE THE LIONESS and STILL CIEL over the 3400m in a bid to win the race named for his son. Perhaps Magical Zoe is the pick of them and she does look the one to beat. LUCCIA looks like she could be anything and she must be respected. The most classy mare here is PRINCESS ZOE, who – on the flat – won the Prix du Cadran, was second in an Ascot Gold Cup and also finished second to Melbourne Cup winner Twilight Payment at what ended up being his final victory. She didn’t jump brilliantly at her hurdling debut but she’s worth keeping safe.

Numbers: 2-1-16-14

Suggested Bet: Magical Zoe WIN

RACE 7

The Kim Muir Challenge Cup, run over 5300m, is restricted to amateur jockeys. It is another race which is tough to assess but there should be spoils should you find the winner. DR KANANGA is one to watch if he can find his best form. Disappointed in a G2 over hurdles last time out but was heading the right way over fences last season and could pull out a big run out of nowhere. MR INCREDIBLE, to be ridden by Patrick Mullins for his father Willie, looms as a big threat, while BEAUPORT can figure if he jumps a clean round.

Numbers: 14-1-3-2

Suggested Bet: Dr Kananga EACH WAY

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