William Hill ambassador Barry Geraghty previews Day Three of the Cheltenham Festival, picking out his best bets.
Cheltenham, Thursday
Thursday opens with the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (1:20pm) and I’m sweet on SIXANDAHALF. I rode her at Gavin Cromwell’s a few weeks ago and she’s a nice filly. She’s not overly big but she has a lot of scope, and I was impressed with her. On form, she put in a good performance to win a maiden hurdle in Fairyhouse on her only start over obstacles. She jumped well and there was a lot to like about that, but it’s her really strong staying Flat form that makes her of most interest. It’s a massive plus that she has big race experience having won at Newmarket and has placed in the Irish Cesarewitch, so she’s well used to these kinds of occasions. To have that level of staying Flat form coming into a race on the New Course, which takes a bit of getting, is a real advantage and she ticks a lot of boxes. I think she’ll take a lot of beating.
There are lots of unexposed types lining up in the Jack Richardson Novices’ Handicap Chase (2:00pm). The one I like is ANSWER TO KAYF, who was just over two lengths behind Better Days Ahead in last year’s Martin Pipe. He was beaten on his first couple of starts over fences but was very impressive at Naas last time. He has good course form and he seems to be coming into the Festival on the up. He comes from a small yard and John Shinnick, who rode him last year in the Martin Pipe, is a good, up-and-coming conditional.
The Pertemps (2:40pm) looks a minefield as is often the case. Paul Nolan’s FEET OF A DANCER just raced a little bit too keenly at Leopardstown last time, getting to the front sooner than ideal, but was only beaten a couple of lengths. I would think they’ll ride a slightly more patient race here and there will be more pace in this contest too, which will suit. I think she’s got every chance of stepping up on her last run and should have a say in what is a very open race.
FACT TO FILE is the one to beat in the Ryanair (3:20pm). There are slight questions over his form, as he’s arguably even slightly regressed since winning the John Durkan, but I think he should be ridden more prominently here and that should help him. Il Est Francais is a good horse, but I’m just not convinced he will have the stamina to get up the hill at Cheltenham. Protektorat won the race last year and won on soft ground at Windsor last time, but I think this is a better race this year. There’s potential each way value with DJELO, who was a good winner at Newbury last time. Before that he was second behind Protektorat at Windsor when the soft conditions were ideal for the winner, and I think on better ground here he could go well.
TEAHUPOO should take all the beating in the Stayers’ Hurdle (4:00pm). We forget about him slightly because we haven’t seen him since early December when he was second to Lossiemouth in the Hatton’s Grace. That form was well advertised by the mare yesterday. This is his trip, he goes well when fresh and he’s the best stayer around at the moment. Lucky Place has progressed but he only beat Gowel Road by three-parts-of-a-length at Cheltenham last time, and I think he’ll need a stronger performance than that to win here.
In the Plate (4:40pm), Ben Pauling’s PERSONAL AMBITION is of interest. He was going to win at Ascot in December only for making a bad mistake at the last. Last time out he was a well-beaten third behind Gidleigh Park over two miles, which would have been far shorter than ideal. This trip is going to suit him well and first-time cheekpieces could help him find a bit extra. I think he’s great each way value.
WALKING ON AIR would be my pick for the Kim Muir (5:20pm). He would be a very poignant winner, as he’s ridden by Alan O’Sullivan, brother of Michael. He was going to win at Doncaster last time only to fall at the last. The handicapper has put him up four pounds for that, but he’s racing off eight pounds lower than his hurdles mark, so I think he’s really well-handicapped and would be my choice in what is always a tricky race.
