The Betway ambassador runs through Thursday's card to reveal his top tips for the penultimate day of the Cheltenham Festival.
13:30 TURNERS NOVICES’ CHASE
This has the makings of a cracking race. Last year’s Martin Pipe hurdle hero Iroko was so impressive on his chasing debut at Warwick in the autumn that he must be feared despite being sidelined since then, while the enigmatic Facile Vega also merits respect having reportedly been put through an equine equivalent of boot camp since his last start.
However, the vote goes to GREY DAWNING / , who turned in a superb effort to dismiss some useful rivals with a real swagger at Warwick last time. A costly blunder two out resulted in defeat at the hands of Ginny’s Destiny at the December meeting here but he is generally a sound jumper and can turn the tables on Paul Nicholls’ much-improved gelding now.
14:10 PERTEMPS NETWORK FINAL
This is the first hurdle race of the Festival on the new course and that should be a plus for the prospects of ICARE ALLEN / . A talented sort who ran well in Vauban’s Triumph Hurdle two years ago, Willie Mullins’ charge has done most of his racing over shorter distances but seemed to get three miles when securing his place in today’s line-up with a third-placed finish in the Aintree qualifier in November. That came at the end of quite a busy spell and he has been freshened up for this so makes plenty of appeal off a very workable mark.
Gaoth Chuil is such a consistent sort that she should also be thereabouts.
14:50 RYANAIR CHASE
Banbridge is the form pick here but the ground will be far from ideal for Joseph O’Brien’s charge.
Last year’s winner Envoi Allen has his chance once again but my two against the field are CONFLATED / and CAPODANNO / , with slight preference for the latter. The Grand National is his big spring target but the ease with which he landed the Cotswold Chase here last time makes him of major interest here.
15:30 STAYERS’ HURDLE
TEAHUPOO / looked an unlucky loser in last year’s Stayers’ Hurdle but all the ducks appear to be in a row for him to make amends. Put away for this after landing the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse on his seasonal bow, he has conditions in his favour and faces largely similar opposition this time.
Crambo and Noble Yeats come here on a roll and should go well, while Home By The Lee can place if putting in a blemish-free round.
16:10 PLATE HANDICAP CHASE
Not a race I have a particularly strong view on, but Crebilly / does seem to have got in quite lightly based on his form against some high-class novices.
James Du Berlais should also be thereabouts based on recent efforts.
16:50 MARES’ NOVICES’ HURDLE
An intriguing clash between three very smart mares, with marginal preference at the prices for Jade De Grugy / . The sole Mullins representative has impressed with back-to-back successes at Leopardstown and Fairyhouse but this is a race I am happy to just watch.
17:30 KIM MUIR HANDICAP CHASE
3m 2f in testing going is admittedly something of a concern but INOTHEWAYURTHINKIN / is too well-handicapped to ignore in the finale. His form against Gaelic Warrior and Il Etait Temps (where he shaped better than the bare result) at Limerick is streets ahead of anything else in this line-up and he obtained some valuable big-field handicap experience last time.
Last year’s winner Angels Dawn is next best.
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