The horse racing broadcaster offers up his best bets for Thursday at Cheltenham, including selections in the Stayers' Hurdle and Ryanair Chase.
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The big fields continue in the first race on Day 3 with another maximum field for the Mares’ Novice Hurdle. Given how short last year’s bumper winner, Bambino Fever, has been trading for this race in the build‑up to the Festival, this is a bit of a surprise — as is the fact that five of her rivals actually come from her own stable. She is clearly a leading player but is priced on her potential rather than on her achievements so far over hurdles, and I am happy to stick with LA CONQUIERE / (13:20 Cheltenham) at a bigger price.
She was put up in the Cheltenham Corner part of the blog a couple of weeks ago when, to be honest, I expected a field of around 12 rather than 22. She has always had this race as her target, and her stable won the race with You Wear It Well a few seasons ago. She was impressive at Newbury, and taking on open company last time at Ascot should have helped her development further. She is a strong mare and, given the field size, should have a decent pace to run at. Carrigmornaspruce is the other one to make appeal at a similar price.
14:00 Jack Richards Novices’ Handicap
The first handicap of the day is the Jack Richards Novices’ Handicap over 2m4f, where WINGMEN / (14:00 Cheltenham) comes from a very strong form race at Fairyhouse on New Year’s Day, where he chased home Kaid D’Authie. Of the six that have run out of that race, three have won and three have placed, with the winner scoring in Grade 1 company at the DRF (and running in the Brown Advisory on Wednesday).
He appeared not to stay 3m in last year’s Albert Bartlett, and the Elliott horses are in much better form now than they were then. There is some rain forecast during the day, which would enhance the chances of 2024 Supreme winner Slade Steel, who looks dangerously treated off 146.
The first Grade 1 of the afternoon is the repositioned Mares’ Hurdle, which has attracted one of the smaller fields with just seven currently lining up. Having put up TAKE NO CHANCES / (14:40 Cheltenham) as one of our ante‑post bets, hopefully she can at least make the frame — though if you have not yet backed her, the drop to seven runners and therefore only two places clearly reduces the angle.
She is a very likeable mare whose jumping is an asset and who made the frame in this race last season behind Lossiemouth. She has had negative rides on her last two starts, most notably at Newbury behind Impose Toi, and the switch of the race to the stiffer New Course should suit.
Wodhooh is a short‑priced favourite and has won a remarkable nine of her ten starts, but she does lack scope and has at times looked in trouble only to show a tenacious attitude and win. With Lossiemouth running in (and winning) this year’s Champion, Jade De Grugy is switched back to hurdles to represent Team Mullins, but given her campaign, this can hardly be said to be Plan A.
The Stayers’ Hurdle is the second of the three Grade 1s and is a fascinating clash between the established stars — and first two home last season — Bob Olinger and TEAHUPOO / (15:20 Cheltenham), up against the newer brigade of Honesty Policy, Kabral Du Mathan, and Impose Toi.
How much rain has fallen by this point will be crucial, so it may be worth holding fire until close to the off. The more rain, the better for Teahupoo — and the more it will count against Kabral Du Mathan and Impose Toi, both of whom may struggle to last home in testing ground.
Teahupoo has always been an underrated horse and will line up for his 11th consecutive Grade 1 on Thursday. Given a solid test of stamina, he can reverse last year’s placings with the admirable Bob Olinger and regain his staying crown.
FACT TO FILE / (16:00 Cheltenham) will be a short price in the Ryanair, but it is fully deserved after his back‑to‑back Festival victories in the Brown Advisory and this race last year. Many are disappointed that he is not in the Gold Cup field after winning the Irish equivalent at the DRF.
He showed plenty of speed in his youth, finishing second in the 2023 Cheltenham bumper, and it may be that doubts still linger for connections as to whether he would truly stay the Gold Cup trip.
It will be interesting to see whether Jonbon actually takes his chance or is simply declared as a back‑up in case of issues for the favourite. Heart Wood and Banbridge look better place prospects, though the latter would not want too much rain.
The race, however, looks at the mercy of Fact to File and could spark considerable post‑Festival debate as to whether he is better than whoever lands the Gold Cup on Friday.
The Pertemps Final features a well‑handicapped horse in BOLD ENDEAVOUR / (16:40 Cheltenham), who is back with Nicky Henderson after a spell with Laura Morgan. He was one of the few bright spots for the yard in the 2024 Festival when finishing fourth in this race off a mark of 143 — a full 13lbs higher than he runs off here.
He has remained in the same ownership throughout, and his sole run for the yard since returning was an improved effort when third after nearly a year off. Supremely West will have supporters after appearing to have had his mark protected since his run here in October.
In the final race, WATERFORD WHISPERS / (17:20 Cheltenham) is the selection of the J. P. McManus pair. He steps up to 3m for the first time and has previous Festival form, having finished second in the 2024 Martin Pipe. Still a novice over fences, he has plenty of experience and can beat Jeriko Du Reponet, whom the handicapper surprisingly dropped 3lb to enable a run here.
However, he has never looked a natural jumper and has at times struggled with the preliminaries. He was second in the Pertemps last year, but even the great Derek O’Connor may find it hard to motivate him sufficiently here.
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