Cheltenham Festival - Day 3
- Jordan
- Mar 10
- 6 min read
I was running a little behind today, so the write ups are not as comprehensive as usual. Hopefully I still find a few winners though as yesterday was certainly a case of close but no cigar.
13/03/25, 13:20 – Cheltenham (Hurdle - Good to Soft) 2m 179y
Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Dawn Run Mares' Novices' Hurdle) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) £59,084 - Runners: 24
A fascinating contest featuring some potential stars of the future.
Galileo Dam caught everyone’s eye when staying onto finish 2nd behind Hello Neighbour at Leopardstown. She gets in here with a handy weight allowance and you’d have to really fancy her chances providing she can handle the experience and the hustle and bustle of the race.
Sixandahalf is a likeable type. She was an above average animal on the flat and has seemingly taken to this new discipline well. I’m not entirely sure how strong the form of her last race is but the 2nd is a decent enough yard stick for a maiden. I won’t be surprised to see her win, but a little too short for me to get excited about.
Maughreen was a massive talking horse last year before her setback. She got the job done over hurdles on her jumping debut but she didn’t beat much and her odds today probably suggest Willie believes they have better chances.
Bluey is arguably the most likely of the British contingent. While I think this race ultimately goes to the Irish, I think Emma’s horse will have a solid chance of sneaking a place at a decent price.
Selection: GALILEO DAM (9/2) - WIN
NB: BLUEY (16/1) - EW
13/03/25, 14:00 – Cheltenham (Chase - Good to Soft) 2m 4f 127y
Jack Richards Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2) (Registered As The Golden Miller) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+,155) £64,300 - Runners: 22
A very competitive and one in which I don’t fancy my chances of finding the winner.
Firefox currently heads the market and has been a warm order since the market formed. He was a good novice hurdler but the form of some of his runs has taken a major knock and while he may well win, he’s too short IMO.
Springwell Bay loves it around here and his run behind Jango Baie got a boost earlier in the week. He’ll need to raise his game if he’s to defy the 9lb rise he received for his last win, but I could see him running top 3 or 4.
Caldwell Potter is the horse I’ve dubbed ‘Anthony’ and if you’re a Man United fan, you’ll know why. He’s clearly not top class but he can probably still develop into a decent handicapper and the mark of 146 looks fair.
Pic Roc has been consistent without getting his head in front. I’m always weary of backing horses who continuously hit the cross bar, but his mark probably underestimates his true ability and sitting forward in the run in this race is never a bad place to be. Another with a live EW chance.
SELECTION: CALDWELL POTTER (7/1) - EW
NB: PIC ROC (10/1) - EW
13/03/25, 14:40 – Cheltenham (Hurdle - Good to Soft) 2m 7f 213y
Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+,145) £61,897 - Runners: 26
Another extremely competitive handicap where I could probably make a case for half the field!
D Art D Art has been heavily backed overnight and looks set to go off a strong favourite. They’ve book one of Ireland’s most promising young jockeys and the prep run at Carlisle was probably a very shrewd move by connections too.
Win Some Lose Some showed improved form when stepping up to 2m 7f the last day, winning a competitive handicap in decent style. He got a chunky rise in the weights as a result, but he ticks most of the key trends and should give EW punters a run for their money.
Karl Des Tourelles has had just the one run in handicap company and finished a decent 2nd behind Franciscan Rock at Punchestown. The ground and the track should both be fine and I doubt Philip would be sending him over unless he believed he had some kind of chance.
Selection: WIN SOME LOSE SOME (15/2) - EW
NB: D ART D ART (6/1) - EW
13/03/25, 15:20 – Cheltenham (Chase - Good to Soft) 2m 4f 127y
Ryanair Chase (Registered As The Festival Trophy) (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) £211,012 - Runners: 9
This promises to be a cracking race and I’m over the moon to see that Il Est Francais has made it over. On his day, he’s a very special horse.
Fact To File has had a fantastic start to his career and he’s slightly unlucky to have to hand around in Galopin Des Champs shadow. There is nothing of his quality in this contest, the drop back in trip should be fine especially with a sold gallop forecast, and he’s the one they all have to beat.
Ill Est Francais is a bit of an enigma. On his day, he’s arguably one of the best around but he’s fragile, has bled in the past, and if he does have an off day, it’s not just finishing top 3 or 4, its being pulled up and jogging home past the crowd at half speed. For that reason, I can’t back him with confidence even though I believe he has the class and quality to win this relatively easily.
Protektorat landed a punt for me at least year’s festival and I won’t be surprised if he goes very close again this year too. Once Dan finally accepted, he wasn’t a Gold Cup type and dropped him back in trip, he’s been able to show his true ability. This however is arguably a strong renewal, but he did a job for me last year and I’m going to keep the faith in him.
Djelo wouldn’t usually be my idea of a Ryanair winner, but he’s looked better than ever this season, and this is certainly his trip and ideal conditions. On that basis he offers a bit of EW value given that it’s unlikely that the three horses above all run their races and finish 1st/2nd/3rd. Plus with a bit of luck a good ride from Charlie, he may just have a slight speed edge over some of these.
Selection: PROTEKTORAT (6/1) - EW
NB: DJELO (7/1) - EW
13/03/25, 16:00 – Cheltenham (Hurdle - Good to Soft) 2m 7f 213y
Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) £182,878 - Runners: 15
For lots of punters this race is all about Teahupoo and they may be right to assume that but I keep thinking back to his defeat at the hands of Sire Du Berlais and Klassical Dream and I’m just not convinced he’s as rock solid as some may think.
Teahupoo is of course the class angle in this race and the break since his last run isn’t a concern because it’s always been the plan to come here fresh like he did last year. I think this is a stronger renewal though, I think the ground may pose some questions and I’m going to take him on even though I might look very stupid come 16:05.
The Wallpark was extremely progressive last year, and I thought his run behind Crambo at Ascot was perfectly satisfactory too given the stop start gallop he encountered. This will clearly demand more but if they go a good gallop (I think they will) he’ll being staying on up that hill as well as anything.
Bob Olinger isn’t getting any younger, but you can’t fault his course record. While all his wins have come over shorter, the ground will help with his stamina deficit, and I see no reason why he can’t finish in the mix.
Selection: THE WALLPARK (4/1) – WIN
NB: BOB OLINGER (12/1) - EW
13/03/25, 16:40 – Cheltenham (Chase - Good to Soft) 2m 4f 127y
TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+,160) £84,405 - Runners: 20
Yet another extremely competitive handicap and one which would probably take most of the day to review properly. Unfortunately, I've run out of time so the selection and nb are below.
Selection: JORDANS (9/1) - EW
NB: MASACCIO (7/1) - EW
13/03/25, 17:20 – Cheltenham (Chase - Good to Soft) 3m 2f
Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys' Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 2) (5yo+,145) £36,668 - Runners: 26
We end the card with the Amateur Handicap and every year I try to avoid having any major stake in this race and it always ends up being a frustrating watch.
Selection: SA MAJESTE (8/1) - EW
NB: MINT BOY (8/1) - EW
DAILY ACCA
1:20 - Galileo Dam (9/2 - 4 Places)
2:00 - Caldwell Potter (7/1 - 5 Places)
3:20 - Djelo (7/1 - 3 Places)
4:00 - Bob Olinger (12/1 - 4 Places)
EW Lucky 15
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