Cheltenham Festival Feature Part 3 – Day Three Races & Betting Tips

We are halfway through the 2023 Cheltenham Festival and we have already had some outstanding racing to enjoy.

Day One saw a parade of favourite winners while day two also saw the bookmakers given a bit of a shellacking.

So before we take a look ahead to the racing on Day Three, St Patrick’s Day, let’s recap how Day Two of the festival went and how my tips fared. My tips are shown in brackets after the winning horse and odds of each race.

Cheltenham Day Two Winners

• 1.30 – Impaire Et Passe – 5/2 2^nd fav – (Impaire Et Passe, 1^st, 5/2 fav)
• 2.10 – The Real Whacker – 8/1 – (Gerri Colombe, 2^nd, 5/4 fav))
• 2.50 – Langer Dan – 8/1 – (E/W Riaan, 15th, 25/1))
• 3.30 – Energumene – 6/5 fav – (Energumene, 1st, 7/4)
• 4.10 – Delta Work – 11/10 fav  – (E/W – Snow Leopardess, 6th, 18/1)
• 4.50 – Maskada – 22/1  – (Final Orders, 5th, 11/2)
• 5.30 –  A Dream To Share – 7/2 2^nd fav (E/W – Encanto Bruno, 11th, 12/1)

Day two saw three short-priced favourites, plus a second favourite come in much to the delight of punters, although bookies will have recouped a little with the result of the 4.50 seeing 22/1 winner Maskada win the race.

Even so, it’s been a good meeting for punters so far and we picked up two winners and an each way extra winner.

So with two days down, let’s now take a look at the action coming today, St Patrick’s Day, at the Cheltenham Festival.

Cheltenham Festival 2023 Day Three – St Patrick’s Day – 16^th March

Race Card

1.30pm – Turners Novices’ Chase

Field

1. Appreciate It – 9/2
2. Balco Coastal – 10/1
3. Banbridge – 7/2
4. Christopher Wood – 150/1
5. James Du Berlais – 16/1
6. Mighty Potter – 11/10 fav
7. Notlongtillmay – 80/1
8. Stage Star – 11/1
9. Unexpected Party – 100/1

Mighty Potter is the form horse here, but in truth most of these entries have great form entering the race. However, Mighty Potter has shown real class this year after disappointing at Cheltenham last year and he looks set to redeem himself here although Appreciate It, Stage Star and Balco Coastal look set to be serious rivals here.

Bet365 Bet Boost Available – Mighty Potter – was 11/10 now 6/5

Our Tip – Mighty Potter – 6/5 fav

2.10pm – Pertemps Final

Field

1. Salvador Ziggy – 11/1
2. The Bosses Oscar – 10/1
3. Maxxum – 6/1
4. Itchy Feet – 25/1
5. Good Time Jonny – 10/1
6. Wakool – 25/1
7. Captain Morgs – 12/1
8. Coltor – 25/1
9. Green Book – 25/1
10. An Tailliur – 10/1
11. Mill Green – 25/1
12. Walking On Air – 15/2
13. Glimpse of Gala – 25/1
14. Bear Ghylls – 20/1
15. Hector Javilex – 16/1
16. Jet of Magic – 25/1
17. The Changing Man – 25/1
18. Thanksforthehelp – 5/1 fav
19. Level Neverending – 25/1
20. Burrows Park –  80/1
21. Risk And Roll – 80/1
22. Moka De Vassy – 25/1
23. Takarengo – 50/1
24. Brandy McQueen – 66/1

A very open race with a number of longer odds options to consider including Wakool, Brandy McQueen, The Bosses Oscar, Glimpse of Gala, Green Book and Coltor. Thanksforthehelp is the early price favourite but I think an each way bet is the way to go here and I like the form and performances of Hector Javilax, who already has one Cheltenham win under his belt this year.

Bet365 Bet Boost Available – Thanksforthehelp – was 5/1 now 11/2

Our Tip – E/W – Hector Javilex – 16/1

2.50pm – Ryanair Chase

Field

1. Blue Lord – 11/2
2. Chacun Pour Soi – 40/1
3. Envoi Allen – 12/1
4. French Dynamite – 20/1
5. Fury Road – 11/1
6. Ga Law – 20/1
7. Hitman – 25/1
8. Janidil – 7/1
9. Shishkin – 5/6 fav

My easiest pick of the day comes in the Ryanair Chase, while Blue Lord and Janidil have their backers, and Fury Road will likely pick up some each way action, I can’t see anything bettering Shishkin if the. horse can perform on the day. He disappointed last year, but I don’t think he will do so this.

Bet365 Bet Boost Available – Fury Road – was 11/1 now 12/1

Our Tip – Shishkin – 5/6 fav

3.30pm – Stayers’ Hurdle

Field

1. Ashdale Bob – 22/1
2. Blazing Khal – 3/1 fav
3. Dashel Drasher – 25/1
4. Flooring Porter – 11/2
5. Gold Tweet – 10/1
6. Henri Le Farceur – 25/1
7. Home By The Lee – 13/2
8. Klassical Dream – 9/1
9. Paisley Park – 16/1
10. Sire Du Berlais – 80/1
11. Teahupoo – 7/2

This is a fantastic field for the Stayer’s Hurdle, the oldest race at the meeting. Teahupoo will certainly get plenty of interest, as will last year’s winner of the race Flooring Porter, but after winning all his last four races, I can’t overlook Blazing Khal here who is a very solid 3/1 favourite in what should be a cracking race.

Bet365 Bet Boost Available – Teahupoo – was 7/2 now 4/1

Our Tip – Blazing Khal – 3/1 fav

4.10pm – Craft Irish Whisky Co. Plate

Field

1. Haut En Couleurs – 17/2
2. Two For Gold – 33/1
3. Stolen Silver – 25/1
4. Midnight River – 8/1
5. Escaria Ten – 25/1
6. Fugitif – 10/1
7. Il Ridoto – 7/1
8. Datsalrightgino – 11/1
9. Embittered – 25/1
10. War Lord – 16/1
11. Coole Cody – 25/1
12. So Scottish – 7/2 fav
13. Seddon – 20/1
14. Marvel De Cerisy – 25/1
15. Champagne Gold – 20/1
16. Shakem Up’arry – 20/1
17. Mars Harper – 22/1
18. Gevrey – 80/1
19. Hereditary Rule – 33/1
20. Celebre D’Allen – 25/1
21. Frero Banbou – 11/1
22. Born by the Sea – 100/1
23. Captain Tom Cat – 50/1
24. Bowtogreatness – 40/1
25. Non Runner
26. Non Runner

Non-Runners – Gemirande, Il Courra

Another very open race here, but the novice Datsalrightgino has some very solid form behind him and his yard looks to be in good form heading into this race. He’s my pick here in what is a very open race and the fact he is 11/1 means I have decided to risk it with the win rather than an each way punt here.

Bet365 Bet Boost Available – Haut En Couleurs – was 17/2 now 10/1

Our Tip – Datsalrightgino – 11/1

4.50pm – Mares Novices Hurdle

Field

1. Luccia – 13/8 fav
2. Magical Zoe – 10/1
3. You Wear It Well – 10/1
4. Belle the Lioness – 66/1
5. Ahorsewithnoname – 25/1
6. Banntown Girl – 66/1
7. Endless Escape – 50/1
8. Foxy Girl – 16/1
9. Halka Du Tabert – 12/1
10. Jetara – 25/1
11. Ladybank – 28/1
12. Lot of Joy – 11/2
13. Mullenbeg – 33/1
14. Nikini – 25/1
15. Poetic Music – 50/1
16. Princess Zoe – 16/1
17. Shecouldbeanything – 40/1
18. Still Ciel – 100/1
19. The Model Kingdom – 25/1
20. Inspiratrice – 100/1
21. Under Control – 12/1

This is another easy pick for me to consider as despite Lot of Joy, Under Control, Foxy Girl, You Wear It Well and Magical Zoe having their backers, I think the 13/8 favourite Luccia is the class act of this race, though I like the look of Foxy Girl’s chances as an each way bet too.

Bet365 Bet Boost Available – You Wear It Well – was 10/1 now 11/1

Our Tip – Luccia – 13/8 fav – win or Foxy Girl –16/1- E/W

5.30pm – Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup

Field

1. Mr Incredible – 11/2
2. Annual Invictus – 25/1
3. Beauport – 10/1
4. Farinet – 33/1
5. Rapper – 25/1
6. Dunboyne – 10/1
7. Coeur Serein – 20/1
8. Slipway – 25/1
9. Defi Bleu – 50/1
10. Royal Thief – 12/1
11. Lord Accord – 25/1
12. Punitive – 20/1
13. Non-Runner
14. Dr Kanaga – 33/1
15. Stumptown – 7/2 fav
16. Fontain Collonges – 25/1
17. Musical Slave – 25/1
18. Anightinlambourn – 12/1
19. Emir Sacree – 40/1
20. Western Zara – 33/1
21. Captain Cattistock – 25/1
22. Angels Dawn – 6/1
23. Ballykeel – 25/1
24. Non-Runner
25. Coo Star Sivola – 66/1
26. Didero Vallis – 40/1

Non-Runners – Chambard, One More Fleurie

Another very open race here and there are plenty of horses in with a shout including the likes of Musical Slave, Angels Dawn, Stumptown, Royal Thief and Mr Incredible. I was tempted to go with Royal Thief to win here, but instead, I’m backing Anightinlambourn each way.

Bet365 Bet Boost Available – Mr Incredible – was 11/2 now 6/1

Our Tip – E/W – Anightinlambourn – 12/1

Cheltenham Tips Tracker After Day 2

I started Day 2 £14 down, but immediately recouped that with a win in the first race of £25, which put me £11 in profit. Another couple of returns for Energumene and Snow Leopardess (E/W Extra) meant that I’ve spent £150 on bets and made £151.50 in returns.

• Total Bet – £150 (£80 + £70)
• Total Returns – £151.50 (£66 + £85.50)
• Profit/Loss – £1.50 up after day two

Join me tomorrow when we review Day Three’s racing and look ahead to the final day of the Festival, Gold Cup Day!