Cheltenham Festival: Day 3 Betting Tips

It is a day for the unheralded at Cheltenham on Thursday.

The championship races are for the often-underplayed divisions of staying hurdlers (Stayers' Hurdle, 3.30) and middle-distance chasers (Ryanair Chase, 2.50) and the other features are big-field handicaps often won by stars of the future.

Here are tips for all seven races on day three from Cheltenham, including the feature races at 2.50 and 3.30.

1.30 – Turners Novices' Chase (Grade 1 - 2m4f)

There is a good chance that while the more obviously appealing horses like Facile Vega and Grey Dawning continue to shorten, that GINNY'S DESTINY will ease out even further.

He is already too big, on account of his form mostly being in lower-grade races, but the form and times of his races, which have all been at this track, strongly points towards a horse worth his place in the highest company.

He will also be the best jumper in this field. His profile is fairly similar to that of Stage Star, who similarly downed some more hyped-up rivals in this race 12 months ago.

Selection: Ginny's Destiny

2.10 – Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (3m)

If testing conditions continue to prevail, then CUTHBERT DIBBLE is likely to keep tightening up in the betting. He has been on the rampage this season, having signed off last season with a win in soft ground at Ffos Las.

He has justified cramped odds at Chepstow and Haydock, two tracks known for getting deep, and his profile is on a steep upward curve. All he needed to be strongly considered for this race was a bit of rain and that has come.

Selection: Cuthbert Dibble

2.50 – Ryanair Chase (Grade 1 - 2m5f)

This is another race that will swing on conditions. Connections of BANBRIDGE ducked Cheltenham a year ago because it was deemed too soft.

If he runs this time, he surely deserves to be a warm order because his form in beating Pic D'Orhy last time is miles in advance of what Stage Star and Envoi Allen have achieved. And yes, while those two have strong Cheltenham records to call on, so does Banbridge.

He won the Martin Pipe in 2022 and dotted up in a Grade 2 novice chase here 16 months ago.

Everything is just right for him, except for maybe the ground but his connections will make the call where that is concerned. Punters can bet the form and roll with their judgement.

Selection: Banbridge

3.30 – Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle (Grade 1 - 3m)

Last year, the rain-softened ground was an important factor in Sire Du Berlais causing a shock in this race. Favourite Teahupoo would be more of a good thing if there were less emphasis on stamina, so there is a case for taking a chance at a big price.

They do not come much bigger than JANIDIL, a high-class chaser who saves his best for deep ground and who has shown Grade 1 quality in that sphere inside the last 12 months.

If he brings that form back to hurdles, he may not be as likely a winner as Teahupoo but he is no back number either.

Selection: Janidil

4.10 – TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase (2m4½f)

This does not look the strongest running aside from the novices at the head of the betting, so they are expected to have it between them.

THEATRE MAN looked just the type for this race when chasing home Ginny's Destiny on trials day seven weeks ago and has been saved for a tilt at a Cheltenham Festival handicap since.

This looks a more sensible target than Tuesday's Ultima, especially considering the emphasis that race placed on stamina.

Selection: Theatre Man

4.50 – Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2 - 2m1f)

The regard in which JADE DE GRUGY is held has never been a secret and she has already shown the best form in this race courtesy of a Grade 3 win at Fairyhouse in January.

That was just her second run for Willie Mullins and, while both of her runs for current connections have been on soft and heavy ground, her bumper win in France came on good to soft, which is likely to have been even quicker than that as French descriptions tend to be over-soft compared to British standards.

Selection: Jade De Grugy