We're halfway through the 2020 Cheltenham Festival and we had a brilliant day on Wednesday, tipping three winners whilst also having a couple of second-placed efforts. Envoi Allen, Dame De Compagnie and Aramax all returned to the winners enclosure triumphant and we're looking for even more on Thursday, which is headlined by the Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle.
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13:30 - Marsh Novices' Chase
The opening race on Day Three of the Cheltenham Festival sees a number of big names in with chances, notably Samcro, Melon, Mister Fisher and FAUGHEEN. The former Champion Hurdler has been unbeaten over fences all season and Willie Mullins' 12 year-old would be an incredibly popular winner at Prestbury Park if he manages yet another Cheltenham Festival win. Olly Murphy's Itchy Feet looks like the main danger but we're hoping Faugheen 'The Machine' can provide one final magic moment in Gloucestershire.
ODDSbible Tip - Faugheen 5/1
14:10 - Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle
Next up is the Pertemps where we fancy THE STORYTELLER who has won a Grade 3 race over fences at the Cheltenham Festival back in 2018 and has also been impressive over hurdles, with a win at Clonmel in December and an eye-catching run in a hot contest at Leopardstown next time.
ODDSbible Tip - The Storyteller 6/1
14:50 - Ryanair Chase
The first Grade 1 of the day is the Ryanair where we're very confident on the chances of Henry De Bromhead's A PLUS TARD who will be ridden by leading female jump jockey Rachael Blackmore. He beat Champion Chase non-runner Chacun Pour Soi in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown back in December and with Willie Mullins' chaser winning next time out the form looks very strong. 2019 winner Frodon and consistent chaser Min look to be the main dangers in a tough contest.
ODDSbible Tip - A Plus Tard 15/8
15:30 - Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle
The feature race of the day is the Grade 1 Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle. Defending champion PAISLEY PARK is looking for an eighth straight victory and he looks almost impossible to oppose. He's already won at Cheltenham this season and we can't see any of the other runners being able to stay like he can up the iconic Cheltenham hill in testing conditions. Summerville Boy looks to be the biggest threat to Paisley's crown but having already been beaten by the reigning champion back in January we're not expecting a shock in this one.
ODDSbible Tip - Paisley Park 8/13
16:10 - Handicap Chase
Next up is the Plate and it looks a wide-open affair with plenty of the runners in with a good chance including OLD GRANGEWOOD who runs for brothers Dan and Harry Skelton. He's on a hat-trick and arguably in the form of his life so we're expecting a big run on Thursday afternoon.
ODDSbible Tip - Oldgrangewood 11/1
16:50 - Novices' Hurdle
The penultimate race of the day is a mares novices' hurdle which again sees plenty of contenders in with a good chance of getting into the winners enclosure. Minella Melody, Concertista, Colreeby and Dolcita are all strong in the market but we're siding with FLORESSA who runs for Nicky Henderson and Nico De Boinville. She probably needed the run when behind Lady Buttons at Doncaster and we're hoping she's raring to go for the high-quality connections.
ODDSbible Tip - Floressa 6/1
17:30 - Amateur Riders Handicap Chase
The final race on Day Three is the Kim Muir which is always a tough race to call. Champagne Platinum looks very strong at the head of the market but we're going with DEISA ABA for Phillip Hobbs who has won both chase starts so far this season and could well be still improving.
