DAY three of The Cheltenham Festival includes the Ryanair Chase with Shishkin, for Unibet Ambassador Nicky Henderson looking to have a strong chance of winning this renewal to follow up on his 2020 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle success, with a dominant Arkle performance in the following year. Shishkin looked back to his best in the Ascot Chase in February and he can follow up at Unibet 5/6, as he is the standout horse in this race in what is not a strong field.
Earlier in the afternoon in the Turner Novices’ Chase Mighty Potter Unibet 11/10 , who looked really impressive when winning the Grade 1 Novice Chase at the Dublin Racing Festival last time out can take this Grade 1. If the ground had been good to soft or quicker Banbridge would have definitely been considered.
Nicky Henderson will fancy his chances with Luccia Unibet 6/4 in the Jack De Bromhead Mares’ Novices Hurdle.
Enjoying whether at The Cheltenham Festival or watching #athome on ITV Racing and Racing TV.
Cheers!
The Wine Tipster
2.10 Cheltenham – Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (3m)
Thanksforyourhelp had shown some promise in his previous handicap hurdles but wind surgery and the addition of some head-gear saw a different horse at Chepstow in late February when, in the last chance to qualify for the Pertemps, he absolutely cantered up, looking like a horse well in front of his mark. The 11lb rise the handicapper gave him guaranteed a run and he is a very eye-catching and interesting contender.
Unibet are paying EXTRA PLACES (SIX) in this race
Hector Javilex looked a thorough stayer when scoring here on New Year’s Day and that was a well-run race too, then did little wrong when fourth to Itchy Feet at Huntingdon last time, looking like a stronger gallop would have suited him better. Still unexposed as a stayer, only having had the three handicap starts, and this will be run at a good gallop, which will suit. Proven on the ground, with Lilly Pinchin the regular pilot in the plate he should be in the frame.
3.30 Cheltenham – Stayers’ Hurdle Grade 1 (3m)
Gold Tweet (nap), the French raider has been overlooked as a serious contender against the strong Irish challenge and the evergreen Paisley Park, whose stamina will kick in and has each way claims once again. Gold Tweet travelled smoothly in the Cleeve Hurdle over this trip on soft ground, moving smoothly clear to beat Dashel Drasher and Paisley Park, who both reoppose. The Gold Tweet team decided to supplement this second-season novice (good record in the Stayers’) on the back of the Cleeve Hurdle victory and French-breds have an excellent record in the Stayers’ too.
Unibet are offering MONEY BACK AS CASH IF 2nd or 3rd in this race
4.10 Cheltenham – Plate Handicap Chase (2m 4½f)
Fugitif was marked up in my Unibet blog when second to II Ridoto on Trials Day in the race over 2m 4f when these two pulled miles clear of the rest of the field when looking like Graded horses. The handicapper could easily have been a lot harsher then he has been with the pair of them putting Il Ridoto up 8lb and Fugitif 6lb respectively, however if the latter is held up for a little longer this time he can come out on top.
Unibet are paying EXTRA PLACES (SIX) in this race
Hereditary Rule has finished in the first four on his seven starts this season, which includes three victories. He has not been seen since the November meeting when third to Unanswered Prayers, having been hampered early on. He is very consistent and a fluent jumper too, who has each way claims at a big price.
4.50 Cheltenham – Jack De Bromhead Mares’ Novices Hurdle (Grade 2
Ladybank was marked up as one of the overlooked runners at The Festival in my Unibet blog last week as she dead-heated with the very smart and admirable Princess Zoe (reopposes here) at Punchestown last time out on her second career, with all the talk about Princess Zoe after the race, yet you had to be impressed with Ladybank. This mare’s jumping was very quick and efficient, spending little time getting over her hurdles when travelling superably too and she challenged Princess Zoe late on from off the pace and might well have won. Labybank looks a very smart prospect, will continue to improve and would be a very emotional winner for the De Bromhead team.
Unibet are paying an EXTRA PLACE (FOUR) in this race
5.30 Cheltenham – Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup (3m 2f)
Rapper for the Henry Daly yard looks like their best chance of a winner of The Cheltenham Festival for the team. He won over course and distance on New Year’s Day in really good style when moving forward to make a strong challenge late on. The Rapper then ran at Sandown over 3m, when never finding that enough of a test after doing his best work late on after going fifth after the last. The excellent Alice Stevens, twice a winner from nine starts at Cheltenham, takes the ride, and has a better chance than his odds imply.
Unibet are paying EXTRA PLACES (FIVE) in this race
