CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2017 -- DAY THREE THURSDAY (STAYERS HURDLE)

It can get a bit busy at the bar...

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL – THURSDAY MARCH 16TH 2017
1.30pm 2m 4f JLT Novices Chase	JLT Novice's Chase And we’re off…for day three of this years festival. Kicking off with a Novice chase for a change today and just a relatively small field of 8 are declared.  YORKHILL is the short price fav for this and is clearly going the right way for connections, will have most to fear from TOP NOTCH who comes here on a run of four wins. At a more each way sort of price the Nigel Twiston-Davies FLYING ANGEL could be interesting but comes with a few risks having failed to complete twice this season already. Result -- 1st : YORKHILL 6/4F.
2.10pm 3m Handicap Hurdle	Pertemps Network Final (Handicap Hurdle) Much more competitive for this handicap hurdle now with a field of 24 facing the starter. First selection has to be JURY DUTY (3rd) for the inform Gordon Elliott yard, has been winning these big handicaps in recent years and this six year old selection has been campaigned at all the major festivals.  At a much bigger price we also have SUTTON MANOR from the same yard and 33/1 looks worth a play in the place markets at the very least.  And of course you would want to take the progressive TOBEFAIR seriously even though he's gone up 62lb in the weights over his 7 race unbeaten run.  Result -- 1st : PRESENTING PERCY 11/1.
2.50pm 2m 5f Ryanair Chase	Ryanair Handicap Chase  Just the 8 declared here and could be a match between the two Irish yards EMPIRE OF DIRT and UN DE SCEAUX. While Josses Hill should make things interesting too and appeals as best of the rest.     Result -- 1st : UN DE SCEAUX 7/4F.
3.30pm 3m World Hurdle	Sun Bets Stayers Hurdle Feature race of the day now and it's been given it's original name again the Stayers Hurdle (I couldn't ever bring myself to call it the World Hurdle I mean what was all that about.)  Decent field of stayers here with 16 declared, though a short price fav here with UNOWHATIMEANHARRY who having won 8 in a row deserves his place at the head of affairs.  Trying to topple him will be previous winner COLE HARDEN and ex champion hurdler JEZKI.  LIL ROCKERFELLER has been campaigned at the top level too and could be overpriced at 33/1 with place prospects. (Good 2nd) Result -- 1st : NICHOLS CANYON 10/1.
4.10pm 2m 5f Handicap Chase	Byrne Group Chase Another massive field of 24 for what is really a run of the mill chase at the festival (only worth £60k) VILLAGE VIC showed that he still has plenty of life as a 10yo recently though will struggle to give weight away all round and something will be more progressive.  BARON ALCO is a good yardstick and is another who could well place but the win could be a bit too far, so the win bet will be the David Pipe trained STARCHITECT. Result -- 1st :  ROAD TO RESPECT 14/1.
4.50pm 2m 1f Mares Novices Hurdle	Dawn Run Mares Novices Hurdle While it's not been the greatest Festival for the Mullins / Walsh combination (until today that is) they have a huge chance with LET'S DANCE a mare going places having won four on the bounce should be hard to beat.  VERDANA BLUE could be a lively outsider at 33/1 racing against her own sex and in receipt of 5lb from the fav. Result -- 1st : LETS DANCE 11/8F.
5.30pm 3m 2f Kim Muir Chase	Fulke Walwyn : Kim Muir  National Hunt Challenge Cup (3m 2f) The finale is for Amateur riders and will be a test as the ground will surely be worse for the previous races today, at least the lack of recent rain hasn't made it an impossible task. Obtaining the services of a fairly experienced rider is a huge benefit around here and Nicky Henderson has picked a good one with Will Biddick on board HADRIAN'S APPROACH.  The same trainer also saddles PREMIER BOND and that's got Gold Cup winning jockey Sam Waley-Cohen on board. Result -- 1st : DOOMSDAY BOOK 40/1. ENJOY YOUR CHELTENHAM BET SENSIBLY

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