Racing Ahead tipster Ben Morgan offers his thoughts on a mouth-watering third day Festival racecard at Cheltenham.
Check out Betway’s latest Cheltenham betting markets for all the races across this week
1.20 – Karoline to kick us off to a sweet start
The mares novice hurdle looks a wide open race this year and in terms of quality it might be one of the better renewals we have had since its introduction into the Festival.
I think KAROLINE BANBOU rates good value at 15/2 with Betway.
Willie Mullins’ mare was all the rage on debut at Naas but got chinned late on when either tiredness or inexperience caught her out in the final 100 yards.
She took a good step forward from that next time at Fairyhouse where she was very impressive shedding her maiden tag.
A smart horse on the flat in France, she certainly looks to possess the ability for a race like this and I’m hoping she can do the business for us in the opener.
2.00 – Nurburgring to prove the fastest
The re-introduction of the Novices Handicap Chase has brought about a bumper field to the second race on Day 3 and there will undoubtedly be form lines to follow from this race going forwards.
It might seem quite boring to play the favourite in such a race but I do think NURBURGRING has plenty more to offer off his current mark.
Joseph O’Brien has seemingly had this race in mind for quite some time and we saw on Tuesday just how good a trainer he is when laying one out for a race.
The selection’s experience in big field handicaps on the flat and over jumps so far will stand him in good stead in a race like this and if he brings his flat or hurdles form to the table then he will be in the shake up for sure. 11/2 with Betway looks fair.
2.40 – The Gift to keep on giving
I’ve punted a few in this race from a long way out and thankfully all of Harbour Lake, Super Survivor, Zain Nights and SUPREME GIFT have all got here so I am hoping for at least one of them to hit the frame.
Given the latter is 40/1 however, it would be brilliant if it was to be him.
Henry Daly’s charge will be primed for this race as it would have been the target since he qualified for it when winning at Market Rasen earlier in the season.
That would have delighted Daly as the selection has had a few runs around Cheltenham and performed with credit each time.
He probably has to run a career best to win this race but I wouldn’t be surprised if he were to take a big step forward given he has been saved for this.
3.20 – Mullins looking to state some Facts in Ryanair
I think the decision to run FACT TO FILE in the Ryanair will be rewarded by a convincing victory on Thursday.
Seemingly the only worthy rival for Galopin Des Champs there has been plenty of debate which race he should run in at the Festival and I think connections have arrived at the right decision.
Being so young still, he should have plenty of opportunities to run in a Gold Cup in the future but at this present moment this race over the intermediary trip looks the best option.
Il Est Francais looks set to take them along at a good pace but I think the Cheltenham hill will find him out and that is when I expect this lad to really kick in.
I’m hoping for a drift as 6/5 is skinny enough but he looks a good thing to me.
4.00 – The Wall looks strong each way in the Stayers
I am a fan of Teahupoo but I am not a huge fan of his price here and with drying ground a slight concern it is enough to make me look elsewhere for a little more value.
THE WALLPARK represents that value even though he has been nibbled in in recent days. A strong stayer who looked all class when winning a Pertemps qualifier here in the Autumn has since performed admirably at Ascot in the Long Walk when finishing a fast finishing 4th.
There seemed to be a bias towards anything racing on the front end that weekend so the fact he rattled home from off the pace can be taken as a positive.
He will be much more at home around here and I expect him to be playing a part in the finish. 4.40 – Nolan to taste festival glory again?
The inclusion of so many unexposed novices in this race makes this a really competitive edition of the Plate.
Jagwar, Jordans and Masaccio were all on my Festival shortlist going into this week so it is a shame to see them all race against each other and also race against AN PEANN DEARG.
Paul Nolan’s charge hacked up at the Dublin Racing festival over 2 miles and a 12lb hike will make life tougher but the step up in trip threatens to bring about further improvement which could offset some of the weight burden.
He still lines up here off a mark of 134 and has a nice racing weight compared to some so it will be really interesting to see how he fares.
At 12 with Betway he probably offers more value than the unexposed novices.
5.20 – Western to have a party in the park?
The Kim Muir is another wide open handicap and again there would be 4 or 5 that would make the shortlist. Probably the most interesting and at the biggest price WESTERNINTHEPARK would be my main hope here.
Olly Murphy’s novice has ran some fine races in defeat this season although the last twice you could argue he was slightly disappointing.
However he lines up here off a mark of 131 and the step up to this distance threatens to bring about plenty of improvement so I think he could prove a big danger to the market principles at a tasty price with Betway.
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