CHELTENHAM NH FESTIVAL 2019 -- THURSDAY 14th MARCH (STAYERS HURDLE DAY)

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

Congratulations to ALTIOR once again winning The Queen Mother Champion Chase and now unbeaten in 18 starts matching the record of Big Bucks.

CHELTENHAM NH FESTIVAL – THURSDAY MARCH 14TH 2019
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. Big case can be made for the pair of DEFI DU SEUIL along with LOSTINTRANSLATION who are closely matched on their Sandown running.  REAL STEAL and VOIX DU REVE [Fell] represent the strong Willie Mullins team and appear to be the best from Ireland in this opening chase.  Result -- 1st: DEFI DU SEUIL 3/1F.
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 SIRE DU BERLAIS (WON 4/1) for very powerful connections and no surprise if the owner has a big punt on this (he probably already has Ante Post).  Couple of interesting types from strong yards in THERMISTOCLES (Joseph O'Brien) and CHAMPERS ON ICE (David Pipe) in a wide open race good to have a couple of decent price options against the field.  Result -- 1st: SIRE DU BERLAIS 4/1 .
2.50pm 2m 5f Ryanair Chase	Ryanair Handicap Chase  With nearly £200k up for grabs for the winner there are 12 declared here and would have been a match between FOOTPAD and UN DE SCEAUX on their best form but this contest seems wide open for a change.  BALKO DES FLOS won this last year and while doesn't seem to have shown the same form in three races this season would be foolish to dismiss a big run in a repeat bid at 20/1 very attractive odds.  Result -- 1st: FRODON 9/2 [Well done Bryony Frost].
3.30pm 3m Stayers Hurdle	Sun Racing 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 18 declared, the first selection is still available at odds against PAISLEY PARK would be a wonderful winner for many reasons, his owner Mr Andrew Gemmell (a massive Prince fan hence the name) is blind and has the races described to him in running, the joy watching this one win his last four is outstanding. .  A return to form for FAUGHEEN would be amazing given his problems over the years but if the ability is there could be stunning over this trip, but I fear his best days are long gone now. While consistent SUPASUNDAE will probably run into a place again having been second on 5 out of last 6 runs. Result -- 1st: PAISLEY PARK 11/8F.
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) .  SIRUH DU LAC [WON 9/2] for Lizzie Kelly is very game and saw off JANIKA here in January and looking for the four-timer. It should be fairly close between the pair but I do fancy the former to have enough in hand this time and is proven on the Soft ground.  Result -- 1st: SIRUH DU LAC 9/2.
4.50pm 2m 1f Mares Novices Hurdle	Dawn Run Mares Novices Hurdle A field of 22 line up now for the Mares Novices hurdle, and a race that kind of revolves around the potential of Nicky Henderson's ex French inmate EPATANTE. She has won both starts since coming from France without breaking sweat and is part of a strong Henderson assault on this. She could be very, very good..  In opposition it's interesting that Ruby Walsh has sided with MY SISTER SARAH while I also find another Irish raider SINORIA of interest. Result -- 1st: EGLANTINE DU SEUIL 50/1.
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 forecast rain hasn't made it an impossible task. Obtaining the services of a fairly experienced rider is a huge benefit around here and Paul Nicholls has snapped up William Biddick to ride TOUCH KICK.  Hopefully we'll see a good effort from top weight LIVELOVELAUGH and I do also like THE YOUNG MASTER for Sam Waley-Cohen Looks like a good competitive renewal here. Result -- 1st: ANY SECOND NOW 6/1. ENJOY YOUR CHELTENHAM BET SENSIBLY

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