DAY THREE and this could be a very emotional day at Cheltenham if Faugheen, Paisley Park and Frodon all win today.

I’m hoping I can strike with Rapper and Happy Diva who both look over-priced.

Today’s sponsor of the Mares’ Novices‘ Hurdle is Daylesford, a fabulous must visit organic farm shop, with cafes and restaurants. The also own a top class Provence winery Château Léoube, whose wines are available on course.  

Cheers

The Wine Tipster

1.30 Marsh Novices’ Chase 2m 3f

Fascinating to see that Willie Mullins has declared the gallant and brilliant Faugheen to run at Cheltenham.

This former Champion Hurdle winner completed his hat-trick of novice chases when winning at the Dublin Festival by beating Easy Game. Previously he had seen off another of today’s rivals Samcro on Boxing Day.

Of course, some will doubt that he can stay on effectively up the hill against his younger rivals, yet I disagree and Faugheen can still show he can still win at Cheltenham.

Unibet 100/30 win

2.10 Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle 2m 7f

Rapper looks a big price for the Henry Daly and Richard Johnson combination, having finished second to Skandiburg at the New Year’s meeting, following a success at Market Rasen.

This six-year-old is improving all the time and I can see him staying on well up the Cheltenham hill.

Unibet 22/1 each way
 

2.50 Ryanair Chase 2m 4f Grade 1

A Plus Tard (nap) can prove one of the Irish bankers of the week. One of the easiest winners of the Close Brothers we’ve seen in recent times at last year’s Festival, he’s gone from strength to strength since then and his defeat of Chacun Pour Soi at Leopardstown over Christmas has been well and truly franked since. He looks rock solid here. 

Unibet 13/8 win
 

3.30 Stayers’ Hurdle  3m

Paisley Park can retain his crown here and prove a very popular winner for the Emma Lavalle and Andrew Gemmell team. Unbeaten in his last seven starts over two seasons, he has looked as good as ever here this season winning at Festival Trials Day beating Summerville Boy and at Newbury on seasonal debut.

Summerville Boy each way 8/1 has been really effective since returning to hurdling and has clearly shown he get the trip. Backed him at 25/1 a few weeks ago and he looks the one for the forecast.

Unibet Paisley Park 8/11 win

4.10 Brown Advisory & Merribelle Stable Plate Handicap Chase 2m 4f

Happy Diva looks a top each way play with season form figures of 2124, with the victory here in November. She ran really well when second to Lady Buttons in a Listed mares event at Doncaster when beaten just a head. Last season in three starts at Cheltenham she was second twice and brought down on the other occasion. This looks like another mare who can go well.

Unibet each way 22/1

4.50 Daylesford Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle 2m

Concertista for Willie Mullins was denied by a short-head in this last year at 66/1 and has kept her novice status. Much better when third at Leopardstown last time to Black Tears (second to Dame De Compagnie on Wednesday) in a valuable handicap and this arguably easier.

Unibet 7/2 win

5.30 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Riders’ Handicap Chase 3 2f

Le Breuil won the National Hunt Chase last year for Ben Pauling, when ridden by Jamie Codd, who is reunited with his Festival winner today.

Last time Le Breuil was given an awful lot to do when finishing fifth to Kimberlite Candy in the Classic Chase at Warwick and he will give a much better account this afternoon back at Cheltenham.

Unibet 13/2 each way