Yesterday’s racing saw hot favourites Defi De Seuil and Tiger Roll turned over at short prices, demonstrating that all good things must come to an end. Envoi Allen proved his undoubted talent and looks like he is, incredibly, still improving.
Champ was one of the key selections chosen and duly obliged thanks to an inspirational ride by an in-form Barry Geraghty. Named after the ultimate champion; AP McCoy, he channelled his namesake’s never-say-die attitude and stayed dourly to win going away.
Today’s racing will star the wonderfully exciting Faugheen, the machine who has been sent to win a novice chase in Cheltenham at the ripe old age of 12. All punters will be ecstatic if he can manage to place, and if he wins, there will be many an empty keg in Cheltenham.
The Stayers’ Hurdle will likely be a non-event due to the presence of the nigh-on unbeatable Paisley Park who should win with ease so an each-way play on Penhill is the best bet in the big one.
Cheltenham Tips, Day Three:
2.10 Pretemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) 2m7f213y Going: Soft
24 runners will head to post for what can often be perceived as a minefield of a handicap hurdle but in fact the last four winners were near the top of the betting.
Welsh Saint won well last time out when beating Silva Eclipse and seems to have been let off lightly by the handicapper. With Nicky Henderson’s excellent current form and such a light weight, he will be an almost certain market mover and looks to have a strong chance.
Last year’s winner Sire Du Berlais has been laid out for back to back successes and if he receives a clearer run in this renewal, it will invariably increase his chances.
The real stand out contender in this race is Relegate, a previous Champion Bumper winner in 2018. This very talented mare changed stables from Willie Mullins after an injury plagued season last year. She is extremely well treated and is one of the most talked about horses in any of the festival handicaps. Her fourth placed effort in Punchestown was the perfect preparation and she also has the services of champion jockey Paul Townend. If she can return to anywhere near her best, she can provide Colm Murphy with a very welcome and deserved return to the winner’s enclosure.
Selection: Relegate (WIN)
Odds: 5/1
4.50 Daylesford Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m179y Going: Soft
Last year’s renewal threw up one of the most shocking results in Cheltenham’s history with a straight tricast that returned at 73,711. Needless to say, the result wasn’t expected, especially when the field is fully analysed. Tuesday’s champion hurdle heroine Epatante was what now looks like a very worthy favourite that day but ran massively below expectations.
Honeysuckle was given an excellent ride by Rachael Blackmore on Tuesday to beat Benie Des Dieux and like Tuesday’s event, she is sure to have her mount up with the pace throughout. Minella Melodys form is not to be knocked and she may still be improving.
The problem for the De Bromhead and Blackmore team is the number of horses Willie Mullins will take aim with. Colreevy will be ridden by Paul Townend and looks to be slowly improving over hurdles and may get closer to Minella Melody than last time out whilst Dolcita is less exposed and may improve past her stablemate in turn.
It may well pay to still stick to some of last year’s form, Concertista was pipped at the post and has been campaigned very lightly with this specific contest in mind. Her latest form reads very well with her third-place finish to Black Tears being well advertised by the latter’s strong display in Wednesdays’ Coral Cup.
Concertista is a proven stayer with course and distance form and has quite obviously been set out for this race since her second-place last year. She has been a significant market mover over the last few days and should provide French owner Simon Munir with his first winner of this year’s festival.
Selection: Concertista (WIN)
Odds: 5/1
Selections for the Day
1.30 Tornado Flyer EW - 12/1
2.10 Relegate WIN - 5/1
2.50 A Plus Tard WIN - 7/4
3.30 Penhill EW - 2/3
4.10 Snow Falcon EW - 33/1
4.50 Concertista WIN - 5/1
5.30 Fitzhenry EW - 8/1
