Hopefully, the tipping is better than the title for Thursday at Cheltenham as "St Patrick's Thursday" (insert facepalm emoji) gets underway.
Day three was much maligned when the festival extended to four days with the same calls of dilution of quality directed at the festival. Since then it has provided punters with some tremendous days over the years.
The Marsh Novices Chase 1.30
The redemption of two horses continues in the opener with Faugheen versus Samcro. This column is clearly team Faugheen.
What a horse 😍😍
Faugheen - at the mighty age of 11 - records his 11th G1 victory and his first over fences, in a fantastic Grade 1 Matchbook Betting Exchange Novice Chase at Limerick
#FaugheenTheMachine pic.twitter.com/CbLtxdD0Io— Horse Racing Ireland (@HRIRacing) December 26, 2019
The dual festival winner is 12 years-old, an obvious negative, but he has already won two grade ones over fences. The rest of the field have collectively won a single group one over fences between them.
To hammer home the point further, Faugheen has won 13 Grade Ones in his career, the rest of the entire marsh field has collectively won seven top-level races.
The Pertemps Handicap Hurdle 2.10
Sire du Berlais is looking to retain the Pertemps hurdle just crept home 12 months ago, he is only penalised seven pounds for a victory that was more comfortable than the bare margin. JP McManus is two from two in handicap hurdles so far this week and if Sire du Berlais can't repeat the feat then A Great View in the same colours could help punters take advantage of the enhanced each-way terms.
The Ryanair Chase 2.50
A Plus Tard was one of the most impressive winners of last year's festival and is a worthy favourite for the Ryanair Chase. Min essentially carries a similar form line into the race through Chacun Pour Soi, but has had to watch Altior winning three times at the festival so far.
It looks set for another battle up the hill between Rachael Blackmore and Paul Townend up the hill, Rachael and Aplus Tard can come out on top here.
The Stayers Hurdles 3.30
I'll keep this short and he is a short price but Paisley Park is the nap of the week. He is the best horse in the race.
"How does this horse get beaten??"
Paisley Park has long been tipped as the one guaranteed winner of #Cheltenham2020. @thom_Malone and @Ui_Maine expect nothing less on day three🏇🤞🔎
Full Cheltenham Show👉 https://t.co/dQcPSsaG1j pic.twitter.com/hazqBAFDDQ— Off The Ball (@offtheball) March 12, 2020
It is a race regularly farmed by repeat winners like Big Buck's and Inglis Drever. Paisley Park is as close to a certainty as is possible this week.
Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate Handicap Chase 4.10
Dan Skelton has had a few handicap winners at the festival in the past and will be keen to get on the scoresheet with Spititofthegames in this race. With brilliant each-way offers available at a general 16/1 he should not be out of the frame with plenty of course form in the formbook already.
Mares Novices Hurdle 4.50
Minella Melody is one of the bets of the week. the Solerina Hurdle is a recognised trial for this race and she absolutely bolted up in the race at Fairyhouse when last seen.
She's smart!
For the same connections, Minella Melody emulates Honeysuckle with success in the Grade 3 Solerina Mares Novices Hurdle at @Fairyhouse pic.twitter.com/gkbo4XiAnp— Racing TV (@RacingTV) January 25, 2020
This could be another case of Rachael Blackmore and paul Townend scrapping up the hill, with again Rachael coming out on top.
