Harry Cobden’s Planet Sport bet blog: Stage set to Star on Thursday at the Cheltenham Festival

13:30 (Cheltenham) Ginny's Destiny

I kick off the day with Ginny’s Destiny in the Turners, who’s obviously a very progressive horse. He absolutely loves it round Cheltenham, having won his last three there here, and the ground shouldn’t be an issue either, so I’m hoping he’ll get the day off to a good start.

Obviously, the Irish have got Facile Vega in the race, Dan Skelton is represented by Grey Dawning so it’s a very competitive race, but I think we have a massive chance.

He's a horse who keeps answering every question, so he’s more than entitled to be lining up.

 

14:10 (Cheltenham) Monmiral

Monmiral is a very talented horse on his day and I’m hopeful he’ll go well in the Pertemps. He was a very good juvenile, and he’s come down 10lbs in the handicap so he’s definitely down to a workable mark. 
 
It wouldn’t surprise me if he outran his odds, he has the potential of running into the minor places. As I said, on his day he is a very good horse and he obviously didn’t take to fences too well, so hopefully the switch back to hurdles might just spark him up.

 

 

14:50 (Cheltenham) Stage Star

Stage Star looks to have a huge chance in the Ryanair, on his best form. If he can reproduce something like his Paddy Power Gold Cup win here back in November, then we’ve got a huge shout. He feels good, jumps great and has done everything right at home recently.

Having Cheltenham form is key, and he has that. If he puts his best foot forwards, he’s got a huge chance.

15:30 (Cheltenham) Noble Yeats

I then ride Noble Yeats in the Stayers’ Hurdle who I rode last time out, and I’m glad I did as I know him a bit better now.

This Stayers’ Hurdle looks a very competitive affair, but I think if I can keep him in touch coming down the hill for the last time, then we’ll be in the frame. 
 
We all know he does one thing very well and that is stay, so he’s a great each way bet, especially if they go off at a fast clip.

16:10 (Cheltenham) Theatre Man

I’m looking forward to getting back on Theatre Man in the Plate. I actually went to Lambourn to school him last week and jumped 15 fences on him – he felt absolutely great. He’s shortened in price all week and rightfully so as he has a really decent chance.

I’d say this doesn’t look to be the most competitive Plate we’ve ever seen, so fingers crossed he performs to his best, and runs his race.