Mick Fitzgerald, Ruby Walsh and Jane Mangan have made their selections for day three of the Cheltenham Festival.
In Paddy Power’s daily cheat sheet, the three experts have picked out their tips for Thursday’s seven races.
Mick Fitzgerald’s selections also include a 1-2-3 and his nap for the Kim Muir Handicap Chase.
Shiskin has been tipped by all three pundits to emerge victorious in the the Ryanair Chase.
See all of their selections for day three on Paddy Power’s cheat sheet below.
Mick Fitzgerald believes Shishkin can underperform and still win the Ryanair Chase
DAY THREE TIPS
MICK FITZGERALD
• 13:30 Turners Novices’ Chase, 2m 4f
Joseph O’Brien’s BANBRIDGE is two from two at Cheltenham. He won the Martin Pipe Conditionals’ H’cap H’dle last year and that form is very solid.
• 14:10 Pertemps Network Hurdle, 3m
The faster they go the better he looks and CAPT MORGS has winning form at the track. He looks a good each-way play.
• 14:50 Ryanair Chase, 2m 4f
I’m a huge SHISKIN fan. There’s a concern about the ‘bounce’ factor but I think he can underperform and still win the Ryanair Chase.
- 15:30 Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle, 3m
HOME BY THE LEE certainly looks the safest option in the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle in what is a trappy race. He’s improved in leaps and bounds this season.
1. Home By The Lee
2. Gold Tweet
3. Flooring Porter
• 16:10 The Plate H’cap Chase, 2m 4f
This looks the perfect opportunity for FRERO BANBOU (each-way) to do just as well as last year when placed in the Grand Annual. Stepping up to 2m 4f shouldn’t be an issue. So Scottish is the big danger.
• 16:50 Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, 2m
This is a very good mare. Nico de Boinville was very keen on this one running in the Supreme Novices Hurdle that tells you how good they believe she is. I think LUCCIA (NAP) will win here, especially on this track as it puts less pressure on her jumping which is a slight weakness.
• 17:30 Kim Muir Handicap Chase, 3m 2f
Patrick Mullins rides the top weight MR INCREDIBLE who has some really good back-form. This 3m 2f trip looks tailor-made for him.
Home By The Lee has improved this season and could be a safe option in the Stayers’ Hurdle
RUBY WALSH
- 13:30 Turners Novices’ Chase, 2m 4f
MIGHTY POTTER is probably the best horse but I won’t be surprised if Appreciate It (each-way) turns up and gives him a big fright. It looks a match and I’ll even go for the forecast of Mighty Potter to beat Appreciate It.
- 14:10 Pertemps Network Hurdle, 3m
I have no opinion here and I’m not going to give you a horse for the sake of giving you a horse. Let’s move on.
- 14:50 Ryanair Chase, 2m 4f
It looks like it’s SHISHKIN’s race to lose.
- 15:30 Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle, 3m
A huge day for Davy Russell and the softer the ground the better his chance on TEAHUPOO. I can’t see the ground drying up enough for Home By The Lee.
- 16:10 The Plate H’cap Chase, 2m 4f
The step up in trip is going to suit Irish raider So Scottish but should also suit FRERO BANBOU (each-way) who will appreciate the softer ground.
- 16:50 Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, 2m
LOT OF JOY is the win option at the prices but don’t discount HALKA DU TARBERT each-way.
- 17:30 Kim Muir Handicap Chase, 3m 2f
STUMPTOWN was really good at Sandown and he’ll be hard to beat. He’s my nap of the day.
Jane Mangan believes Mighty Potter is the best of this year’s crop of novice chasers
JANE MANGAN
- 13:30 Turners Novices’ Chase, 2m 4f
I believe this year’s crop of novice chasers to be a strong group, with Gordon Elliott’s MIGHTY POTTER to be the top of that group. I cannot look past him to get us off to a flyer.
- 14:10 Pertemps Network Hurdle, 3m
My idea of the winner is MAXXUM who has progressed into a proper stayer this season. He might have 11st12lbs to carry but the fact that connections have decided not to claim off him suggests they have confidence in his ability
- 14:50 Ryanair Chase, 2m 4f
SHISHKIN let us down last year in the Champion Chase but he had valid excuses. He looked back to near his best at Ascot last time and the step up in distance will suit.
- 15:30 Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle, 3m
My vote goes to TEAHUPOO. His Hatton’s Grace performance was top drawer and he proved that the 3 miles trip wasn’t an issue at Gowran Park last time. A perfect partner for Day Russell.
- 16:10 The Plate H’cap Chase, 2m 4f
SO SCOTTISH was just denied by Boothill at Ascot on his latest run but remains open to further progression for the team that produced The Shunter to win this in 2021.
- 16:50 Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, 2m
Nicky Henderson and LUCCIA might stop the might of Mullins on this occasion. This mare was considered for the Supreme Novices Hurdle against the geldings but reverts to her own sex.
- 17:30 Kim Muir Handicap Chase, 3m 2f
With the benefit of Barry O’Neill and a workable mark of 135 STUMPTOWN has been my fancy for this race ever since he destroyed a good field at Sandown last month.
Paddy Power says Blazing Khal will be hard to beat in the Stayers’ Hurdle on Thursday
PADDY POWER
- 13:30 Turners Novices’ Chase, 2m 4f
It’s difficult to get away from MIGHTY POTTER with the only negative being his run at the festival last year. A reproduction of his Drinmore or Dublin Racing Festival wins will be enough here.
- 14:10 Pertemps Network Hurdle, 3m
SALVARDOR ZIGGY may have top weight but he has a decent 7lb claimer easing the burden. He is completely unexposed at three miles and has been turned inside out since joining Gordon Elliott and looks to have solid each-way claims.
- 14:50 Ryanair Chase, 2m 4f
SHISHKIN bounced back to his best last time and will win if repeating that level here. I wouldn’t be surprised if FRENCH DYNAMITE hit the frame at rewarding odds.
- 15:30 Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle, 3m
If BLAZING KHAL is 100% here I fully expect him to take all the beating.
- 16:10 The Plate H’cap Chase, 2m 4f
FUGITIF has improved with every start this season and despite a 6lb rise for his close 2nd here on
trials day, I think he still has scope off his mark and is an each way price.
- 16:50 Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, 2m
LOT OF JOY has huge ability on the flat and she bumped into two good horses on her first two starts
over hurdles. Back in against mares, she could take plenty of stopping.
- 17:30 Kim Muir Handicap Chase, 3m 2f
BEAUPORT looks very well handicapped here off a mark of 143 & has decent each-way claims.
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