Altior was not able to defend his crown in the Champion Chase, but Paisley Park is the banker of the meeting to win the Stayers’ Hurdle again on the third day of the Cheltenham Festival.
Cheltenham Festival Day 3 betting predictions, tips & odds
Altior was not able to defend his crown in the Champion Chase, but Paisley Park is the banker of the meeting to win the Stayers’ Hurdle again on the third day of the 2020 Cheltenham Festival. The Thursday races will draw plenty of action on the rails, at the betting shops and online, so the odds quoted below are subject to change.
Novices’ Chase betting tips
13:30 GMT – Grade 1 – 2m 4f
Samcro was seen as the next coming of the Lord but has not been able to justify the hype. However, the horse does have the form to be a leading contender for a race over two miles and four furlongs. Samcro had fitness problems last season and could win this race at his best, but there have been too many disappointments to make the horse a reliable bet. Some good judges have highlighted the credentials of Itchy Feet and that horse is the tip at +350 with Bovada.
Pertemps Final betting tips
14:10 GMT – Listed – 3m
Cheltenham Festival handicaps are difficult to assess because there are often unexposed horses with something in hand at the weights. There are three such contests this Thursday, the first of which is the Pertemps Network Final over three miles and 12 hurdles. Of the 26 declared runners, Unowhatimeanharry has the best rating. However, the horse has not been given a winnable mark and others are preferred. The Storyteller acts on heavy going and ran a promising race in a qualifier. Small stakes are recommended on this horse at +650 with Bovada.
Ryanair Chase betting tips
14:50 GMT – Grade 1 – 2m 4 1/4f
Frodon won the Ryanair Chase last season and contests the race again, but jockey Bryony Frost may not be able to dictate in the same way. The horse ran from the front 12 months ago and stayed on well to beat Aso by one-and-a-quarter lengths after being headed two fences out. A number of the fancied horses underperformed and were unable to race just off the pace, which meant Frodon could use his jumping ability and stamina to prevail. However, Min can track the horse this year, impose his class late on and win the race.
The buzz horse for the last 12 months has been A Plus Tard, which won a novices’ handicap chase with plenty in hand at the 2019 meeting. Rachael Blackmore then rode him to victory against Chacun Pour Soi over two miles at Christmas. The horse stays the two miles and four-and-a-half furlongs of the race, acts on heavy going and is open to improvement, but Min has the form in Grade 1 races and is the selection at +275 with Bovada.
Stayers’ Hurdle betting tips
15:30 GMT – Grade 1 – 3m
Paisley Park, the 2019 winner, has eight pounds in hand on Racing Post Ratings (RPR). Timeform have him as a clear top marker and a Horse In Focus, which means he was given a positive mention in an analysis of his previous race. The Stayers’ Hurdle has a history of producing multiple winners and the selection can maintain that tradition this week at -149.99 with Bovada.
If you are reluctant to bet at odds-on and want to back an alternative, Summerville Boy at +850 with Bovada is a good candidate. The horse gave Paisley Park a good test on Trials Day and is a Grade 1 winner at the Festival.
Plate Handicap Chase betting tips
16:10 GMT – Grade 3 – 2m 4 1/2f
The Plate Handicap Chase has a maximum field of 26 runners and a relatively short-priced favourite for a race of this nature. Simple The Betts won the race on Trials Day in January, which is often informative, and Imperial Aura boosted the form on Tuesday. However, the current price looks too short and does not represent value. Siruh Du Lac won the race last year but has not produced the form this season to get in the mix this time. On ratings, Springtown Lake makes plenty of appeal at +1800 with Bovada.
Mares’ Novices Hurdle betting tips
16:50 GMT – Grade 2 – 2m 1f
Willie Mullins has won the Grade 2 Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle in each of the four years the race has been run. Concertista is his best chance to continue that Irish dominance this year. The horse has not produced anything outstanding but still has the best form in the field. Favourite Minella Melody is unbeaten over hurdles but not the top horse on ratings. Concertista has the edge in that respect without setting a high standard. Floressa, trained by Nicky Henderson, is open to improvement and can win the race for the home team at a best price of +600 with Bovada.
Amateur Riders’ Handicap Chase betting tips
17:30 GMT – UG – 3m 1 1/2f
The third day Getting Out Stakes is the Amateur Riders’ Handicap Chase, but you are a punter in trouble if you need to identify the winner to do no financial damage on the day. The best strategy may be to go with proven big-race form, which brings Cloth Cap into the equation on the basis of finishing third in the Scottish National. However, Le Breuil was placed at the Festival last season and is a tentative selection in a tough race to call at +700 with Bovada.