Cheltenham Festival ITV racing tips: Best bets for day 3 on Thursday, March 14

Willie Mullins continued to hold a vice-like grip around Cheltenham on day two with Ballyburn and Fact To File scoring and Jasmin De Vaux claiming his 100th Festival winner. More to come on Thursday?

We've grabbed the views of our expert panel at the Planet Sport Bet Cheltenham preview evening which included Planet Sport amabassador Harry Cobden, former Gold Cup winner Mick Fitzgerald, ten-time Cheltenham Festival winning jockey Tom Scudamore and the Racing Post's Paul Kealy.

We also leaned on our own inhouse tipsters to give you the best steer on where you money should go in the five races that are being shown on ITV this Thursday.

Don't forget to check out the full racecard, results and live odds in Planet Sport's racing live centre.

Good luck and please gamble responsibly.

(Please be aware horses could become non-runners after article publication)

 

Planet Sport Bet offer: Bet minimum £20+ cash on any runner in the race and if the qualifying terms are met (see table at bottom of page) earn a £5 free bet for every £20+ cash bet, or a £20 free bet for every £100+ cash bet 

 

13:30 (Cheltenham) Turners Novices' Chase

Ginny's Destiny (Paul Kealy)  - It's amazing how negative everyone's been at Ginny's Destiny. He's been winning handicaps and he draws mistakes out of others. This horse is going to drift on the day, he's going to end up being a very, very bankable price. I still think he's got a cracking chance.

I would not rule out a massive run Facile Vega though, I know he's disappointed a lot of people but given the pedigree he certainly has to improve for two and a half mile and the ground is going to be massively in your favour because he definitely wants soft ground. He's won twice at Cheltenham. He's won a bumper, he's finished second in the Supreme Novices Hurdle so you can't knock that for me either.

 

Harry Cobden - So far Ginny's Destiny has been totally brilliant and I actually believe he's got to step up again. Paul Nicholls is very sweet on him. I think he'd nearly say he's probably his best chance of the week. But it's certainly not a two horse race between the English though I'm very much with Paul Kealey's comments on Facile Vega. I think he's been crying out for two and a half miles. But Dan Skelton was very, very sweet on Grey Dawning and if he gets his act together, he won't be far away. 

 

Grey Dawning (Mick Fitzgerald) - I'm a Grey Dawning fan. I think he was unlucky when giving three pounds to Ginny's Destiny when he beat him, he made a very bad mistake two out that day at Cheltenham. But I think Grey Dawning has got a very good chance.

 

Iroko (Tom Scudamore) - I'm a big Grey Dawning fan and the other one I like, again is that a lack of experience and has obviously had his issues along the way, but he's made a miraculous recovery having been supposedly out for the season is Iroko. You look back for his run at Warwick, he had two good horses in behind him that day in Golden Son, who was good enough to win a handicap of 135, and Kilbeg King and Iroko laughed at them that day, he could be a fly in the ointment. He's a very talented individual.

 

Facile Vega - In case you haven’t had enough Willie Mullins’ winners, Facile Vega has a great chance to start day three off in style for the Closutton handler. Britain has some strong challengers in Grey Dawning, Ginny’s Destiny and Iroko but this trip may bring out the best in the pick. (Mike Grenham - Planet Sport Bet Managing Director)

 

Zanahiyr (Tipstrr) - A potentially better each-way punt is Gordon Elliott’s only runner here, Zanahiyr, who finished a forgotten third behind Constitution Hill and State Man in last year’s Champion Hurdle, and was a much closer third in the Aintree Hurdle a month later. (John Fearn - Tipstrr)

14:10 (Cheltenham) Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle

Farouk D'alene (Paul Kealy) - I've got interest in the top weight Farouk D'alene. Two years ago, he ran in the Brown Advisory and he fell at the second last and he was absolutely cantering at the time. Davy Russell said he thought he had gotten very close. He's off a much lower mark than he would have been over fences, he's going to carry 12 stone. So hopefully they'll get a good claim on him. But I do think he's got half a chance.

 

Gaoth Chuil (Tom Scudamore) -  She's gradually gone up in trip and then seemingly improved every time. She's got an outstanding chance.

 

Icare Allen (Mick Fitzgerald) -  I was with Patrick Mullins, who is very keen on their horse Icare Allen.

 

Gabby’s Cross (Mike Grenham) - We went close yesterday with a Henry de Bromhead runner in a handicap in Ballyadam so let’s hope Gabby’s Cross can go one better in this one. His canny trainer has protected his charge’s handicap mark for some time and that can pay dividends here.

 

Monmiral e/w (Tipstrr)  -  Paul Nicholls does not have the best record in this race, but recently has had three places in the last ten runnings. Monmiral looks to be too big a price in this company for a race such as this and might sneak into one of the places under Harry Cobden, who might enjoy himself more on a less-fancied ride. (Andrew of Fiosrach - Tipstrr)

 

14:50 (Cheltenham) Ryanair Chase

Envoi Allen (Tom Scudamore) - Banbridge certainly is very very ground dependent. He has the best form on offer, his beating of Pic D'Orhy around Kempton is obviously looking fantastic now, he is a festival winner in the past. But all through his career, he has been extremely ground dependent. If a miracle happens and it dries out, and it can happen Cheltenham, and ends up being good good to soft that brings him into play. But he wouldn't be one I'd be fancying now under the current conditions.

Every year we all talk about Envoi Allen, but the truth of the matter is he turns up. The only time he hasn't won at the Cheltenham Festival is when he fell. He's a horse that's probably always underrated because he's not quick enough to win a Queen Mother and not good enough to run in the Gold Cup. But he sets a very very high standard a fantastic Cheltenham Festival record and is coming to the Festival fresh you certainly have to respect his chances.

Harry Cobden -  Stage Star has been the most fantastic horse. I thought the Paddy Power run at the start of the season was utterly brilliant with all that weight and he powered up the hill. For some reason or another he is always better around Cheltenham, bar last time but he had a few niggly problems and the trainer came out and admitted that he wasn't quite right after the race. He's had plenty of time to get over that and he's coming to the race fresh and he's got a brilliant record fresh. I think he's much better around that track. He hangs quite badly left and just jumps a little bit that way as well. So I think that's why he goes much better around Cheltenham.

The one horse I'm worried about, and I think he's probably a little bit of a forgotten horse is Conflated. If he if he runs in this race and produces any form he's got a huge chance.

Protektorat (Paul Kealy) - Obviously, you got to give Envoi Allen a big chance but he's a 10-year-old now and the last 10-year-old to win this was Albertas Run in 2011, these Grade One races tend to be a younger man's game. Conflated is also ten. The one that everyone has missed is the best horse in the race and that's Protektorat he runs against miles better horses than these every time he runs. You know he doesn't win that often, you're absolutely right, but this will be the weakest Grade One he's ever run in.

Given the amount of pace that was in this race, and there's lots, it's going to be one absolutely the way Fugitif loves it. He's not good enough on ratings. But he does charge up that hill every time he runs the event. He'll run well at a big price.

Banbridge (Mick Fitzgerald) - I'm a huge Banbridge fan. He's been at Cheltenham twice and won both times. The ground is the obvious concern, they took him out last year when the ground was too soft. So I think if he lines up, I think they'll be happy with the ground. I think he's a good horse and I think you'll win here.

 

Protektorat e/w (Mike Grenham) - A cracking betting heat and I feel Protektorat has excellent each-way claims, especially with the Skelton team in red-hot form. This trip is probably ideal for the nine-year-old and he’s a very interesting each-way proposition.

 

Fugitif e/w (Tipstrr) -  A more popular outsider punt could come from beyond the usual trainer suspects, with Richard Hobson’s Fugitif looking to crown 15-months of progress with a taste of Cheltenham glory. Hobson only saddles two runners at Prestbury Park this week (Lord Du Mesnil was pulled up in the Ultima), but connections have high hopes that this nine-year-old can go one better than when runner-up behind Seddon in the Magner’s Plate at last year’s Festival. (John Fearn - Tipstrr)

15:30 (Cheltenham) Stayers' Hurdle

Teahupoo (Mick Fitzgerald) - I'm going to give the horse a chance who finished third last year Teahupoo. He's favourite and a worthy favourite. I think the Stayers' is a wide open race and I think a lot of these horses have been there done that. It's going to be a little bit of a bunfight. Maybe last year things didn't probably goes good as they wanted for Teahupoo. It looks like he's been laid out for the race and I think he'll win.

 

Flooring Porter (Paul Kealy) - Crambo is the obvious one. He does need to step up again. Because if you've added Crambo, you've got a fancy Paisley Park and he's 12 and right next to him. This is a sort of race that could be won by something that's thoroughly exposed and the one that interests me again now is a horse that has only lost once at Cheltenham and that's Flooring Porter. He's won it twice, he finished third last year ahead of Teahupoo and will be absolutely right up for it. He's still only nine so probably isn't past it like some of the others.

 

Paisley Park (Tom Scudamore) - I think the only reason Paisley Park is a big price is because he's 12 years old. Last time he was beaten by a head by Noble Yeats giving him six pounds he was beaten a nose by Crambo. Where does it show on his form that he's on the downgrade? This season he's running as well as ever. He's a massive each way player and I can't see Paisley Park, on this season's form, being out the first three.

 

Harry Cobden - Noble Yeats was obviously very tough and impressive last time. I think he's made for the race, I thought he jumped a lot slicker last time over hurdles compared to his first run back from chasing. If he's not too far away, turning in and I can manage to hang on to their coat-tails, he won't be too far away.

I actually quite like Sir Gerhard, he is a top class horse on his day. They've had a bad run with him along the way, he's switching back to hurdles. Won nicely last out, is a quality horse.

 

Crambo (Mike Grenham) - Crambo is the one to back here. This progressive sort looks booked for at least a place and can really shine in this company. Plenty of others in with a shout but the pick looks best to me.

 

Paisley Park e/w (John Fearn - Tipstrr) - Winner in 2019, Paisley Park has been the only successful favourite in the last seven renewals, and he would surely take the roof off the Cheltenham stands if he were able to convert his recent near misses into another Stayers’ triumph. Defying his 12-year-old legs, he was narrowly beaten by a head by Dashel Drasher in Newbury’s Long Distance Hurdle in December, by a short head behind Crambo in Ascot’s Long Walk, and finally just another head behind Noble Yeats when last seen in the Cleeve Hurdle over this course and distance in January. If Paisley Park is produced in top shape by Emma Lavelle, then we wouldn’t be surprised to see Tom Bellamy squeeze another frame finish out of him here.

 

16:10 (Cheltenham) Plate Handicap Chase

Theatre Man (Paul Kealy) - I like Theatre Man. That Novice Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on trials day routinely throws up winners. Now obviously there's no Novice Handicap Chase at the Festival anymore, but it has thrown up winners of the Plate has thrown up winners of the Pertemps. It's always a good race and Theatre Man hit a bit of a flat spot at the top of the hill but he roared home to finish second to Ginny's Destiny. I think he's going to be a massive player and Mr. Cobden is again be booked.

 

Crebilly (Mick Fitzgerald) - When Crebilly won the other day at Exeter, I think he only just won and I don't think they were expecting him to win. So I think he's still got a bit up his sleeve Crebilly and I think he's a very worthy favourite in that race.

 

Harry Cobden - I schooled Theatre Man in the week, jumped about 15 fences on him in Lambourn. He jumps brilliantly. He's one of those horses that has just crept up the weights a little bit without winning, which is always a negative for me. He's definitely got a big chance and hopefully he'll run a massive race.

 

Theatre Man (Mike Grenham) - Really hard to choose between Crebilly and Theatre Man in this one, but the recent course and distance form of the latter just edges him ahead in our affections.

 

Planet Sport Bet offer: Bet minimum £20+ cash on any runner in the race and if the qualifying terms are met (see table below) earn a £5 free bet for every £20+ cash bet, or a £20 free bet for every £100+ cash bet 

 

Chelt	13.30	if the favourite wins (includes co and joint)
Chelt	14.10	if Gabbys Cross is in the 1st 4
Chelt	14.50	if Envoi Allen wins by over 3 lengths
Chelt	15.30	if Teahupoo wins by over 5 lengths
Chelt	16.10	if Il Ridoto is in the 1st 4
Chelt	16.50	if Brighterdaysahead wins by over 5 lengths
Chelt	17.30	if Bowtogreatness is in the 1st 4