CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2015 -- DAY 3 THURSDAY

Gets a bit busy at the bar...

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL – THURSDAY MARCH 12TH 2015
1.30pm 2m 4f JLT Novices Chase	JLT Novice's Chase And we’re off…for day three of this years festival And this time we kick off with a Novices Chase which would appear to be another race at the mercy of the all conquering Mullins/Walsh team. VAUTOUR a winner of last years Supreme Novices hurdle has taken to fences with ease and only a single defeat in a Grade 1 race at Leopardstown blots the record.  COLOUR SQUADRON doesn't look good enough to defeat the fav but I do fancy it to plug on up the hill and place under McCoy at 25/1 looks a good place option.  Result -- 1st : VAUTOUR 6/4F Colour Squadron - 8th 18/1
2.05pm 3m Handicap Hurdle	Pertemps Network Final (Handicap Hurdle) Just the 24 declared for the Pertemps final, keeping in with the theme of value and looking for something that stays well the first selection is CLOSING CEREMONY who gets the trip and has won a few recently so in good order.  The other is the pick of the D PIPE entries, BYGONES SOVEREIGN another that's won a qualifying race for this and gets on well with the 7lb claimer Michael Heard. Both about 20/1 so the pair vs the field for me. Result -- 1st : CALL THE COPS 9/1 Closing Ceremony NR     Bygones Sovereign 20th 25/1 tried to make all, faded 2 out.
2.40pm 2m 5f Ryanair Chase	Ryanair Handicap Chase  DON COSSACK looks to buck the trend of no Irish trained winner of this for 10 years, looks to have a favs chance but too short for me.  BALDER SUCCESS won his last two but at Kempton and Ascot so needs to show he can win going the other way around.  So for me I'll go a bit left field with an outsider from Jonjo's stable, JOHN'S SPIRIT, something of a standing dish around this track is regularly placed and his 3 recent wins out of 7 career victories have come here. 10/1 looks a great win/place shout.   Result -- 1st : UXIZANDRE 16/1 Johns Spirit -- 5th 8/1
3.20pm 3m World Hurdle	Ladbrokes "World" Hurdle (the Stayers Hurdle) Time for the stayers hurdle now, always loved this race from the time Ballasani won in 1994, some great horses since; Barracuda, Inglis Drever and Big Bucks, sadly nothing of that quality here today.  Wide open affair, Paul Nicholls will hope that his SAPHIR DU RHEU can provide him yet another winner in this contest, his owner has sure had plenty of success around Cheltenham. But another man who doesn't usually leave the meeting empty handed is Nicky Henderson and his WHISPER can take the stayers hurdle crown back to seven barrows. Result -- 1st : COLE HARDEN 14/1 Saphir Du Rheu -- 2nd 5/1      Whisper -- 5th 8/1
4.00pm 2m 5f Handicap Chase	Grade 3 Handicap Chase A fairly ordinary chase now, sort of Saturday afternoon affair, where those receiving lumps of weight seem to be favoured.  FILBERT looks good here with Richard Johnson riding, big price at 28/1 available has winning form, in good order, should run his race.  Also an interest in BOBCATBILLY at a big price, has won at all the top northern tracks and shouldn't be ignored despite being available at about 33/1. Non Runner Result -- 1st : DARNA 33/1 Filbert --
4.40pm 3m 2f Kim Muir Chase	Fulke Walwyn & Kim Muir  National Hunt Challenge Cup (3m 2f) It's a great name for a race this, and the Amateur riders deserve another taste of glory. GRANDAD'S HORSE is a fav of mine and won a few times already, could struggle with top weight though but interesting all the same with the best jockey on board to help.  Down the bottom of the weights THE OULD LAD has good recent form including a close 2nd around here, but doesn't have Paddy Brennan to help, could still be a factor though.  Result --
5.15pm 1m 5f St Patrick's Charity Flat Race	St Patrick's Derby - Charity Flat Race (1m 5f) A complete nonsense from a race point of view, but if they raise a few quid good luck to them. Basically a bit of fun for most, however if you are betting on this you must be mad or have a serious problem. Seek help -- www.gamcare.org.uk ENJOY YOUR CHELTENHAM BET SENSIBLY

Results should appear here through the afternoon and Friday's details updated shortly.