CHELTENHAM NH FESTIVAL 2018 -- DAY THREE THURSDAY (STAYERS HURDLE)

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

Congratulations to ALTIOR winning The Queen Mother Champion Chase

CHELTENHAM NH FESTIVAL – THURSDAY MARCH 15TH 2018
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 10 are declared. Would have kicked off with INVITATION ONLY had Ruby Walsh been fit but that seems unlikely now and will skip this one.  TERREFORT and SHATTERED LOVE look lively contenders here so will try and dutch the pair. Both have won decent G1 events and the latter gets a reasonable mares allowance too.  Result -- 1st : SHATTERED LOVE 4/1.
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 GLENLOE for the inform Gordon Elliott yard, has been winning these big handicaps in recent years and this seven year old selection has been targeted for this big prize since Christmas.  The opposition is considerable of course, will be looking at a couple of big price selections for the place markets and these will include the likes of KANSAS CITY CHIEF and THEO'S CHARM.  Result -- 1st : DELTA WORK 6/1.
2.50pm 2m 5f Ryanair Chase	Ryanair Handicap Chase  Just the 7 declared here and would have been a match between the two Irish yards DOUVAN and last years winner UN DE SCEAUX. However as Douvan fell in Wednesday's Champion Chase is unlikely to line up again here today so that will leave it to the likes of CUE CARD and FRODON to lay down some sort of challenge.  Result -- 1st :BALKO DES FLOS 8/1.
3.30pm 3m Stayers 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 17 declared, the first selection is still available at 12/1+ L'AMI SERGE travels well although struggles to win as much as he should, is still a good option in the place markets.  SAM SPINNER is the clear market leader and this is his biggest test so far, will instead give a chance to YANWORTH  Result -- 1st : PENHILL 12/1.
4.10pm 2m 5f Handicap Chase	Brown Advisory Stable Plate Chase Another massive field of 24 for what is really a run of the mill chase at the festival (only worth £60k) VILLAGE VIC hasn't been in the same form as when I tipped it up last year so it's a surprise to see him still at the head of weights this time around but doesn't appeal even at 33/1 (it'll probably romp home now) THE STORYTELLER moves out of novice company into a handicap but cannot be dismissed with his trainers recent record.  The Pipe trained KINGS SOCKS is also of interest from a yard that has won this plenty of times in the past and his form includes soft ground so that won't be a worry. Result -- 1st : THE STORYTELLER 5/1F.
4.50pm 2m 1f Mares Novices Hurdle	Dawn Run Mares Novices Hurdle A field of 15 line up now for the Mares Novices hurdle, and we've another odds on fav for this event with LAURINA from Willie Mullins who has made these sort of races his own with Quevega.  Since there's little to be made backing 4/7F will see if there is something amongst the other 14, the top one CAP SOLEIL is one for sure, very consistent and will go fine on the soft ground.  HIGH SCHOOL DAYS is one to consider too in the place markets, is forecast about 33/1 and has three wins on heavy ground and returns from a break too.. Result -- 1st : LAURINA 4/7F.
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 further 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 snapped up Katie Walsh to ride SUGAR BARON for him and will surely have a good chance.  MALL DINI is also interesting having won over 3m (hurdles) previously, has a top amateur jockey too and sure to go close. Result -- 1st : MISSED APPROACH 8/1. ENJOY YOUR CHELTENHAM BET SENSIBLY

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