The racing on Day Three last year in 2019 will be remembered for years to come as one of the greatest Festival days. The atmosphere was electric as the strong crowd roared home Frodon under Jockey Club Racecourse Ambassador, Bryony Frost in the Grade 1 Ryanair Chase. Bryony became the first female jockey to win a Grade 1 over fences at The Festival. The emotions didn’t stop there however, as Paisley Park justified favouritism in The Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle to win for trainer Emma Lavelle and owner Andrew Gemmell.
Day Three - 12th March 2020
Weather - Light showers changing to sunny intervals by lunchtime.
Official Going Report - Chase and Hurdle: Soft-Good to soft in places.
13:30 The Marsh Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)
2m 4f [12 Runners]
Interesting to see how Faugheen fairs in the betting ring, a machine over hurdles in his pomp wasn't 100% sure that going novice chasing would have been his sphere at the age of 12yo although he has won three in a row including a Grade 1 at Leopardstown last time. Stablemate Bapaume and the likes of Samcro have yet to reach the giddy heights of Faugheen but are talented and on a going day have strong claims. The home challenge includes the likes of Mister Fisher and Itchy Feet in a race that I think is Faugheen's to lose.
Result - 1st: Samcro 4/1
14:10 The Pertemps Network Final (A Handicap Hurdle Race) (Listed)
3m [26 Runners]
Wide open contest here and the first one I see is The Storyteller who has been a good servant for us in the past and there's no reason to give up on him now and he can score again. The other two I'll have against the massive field would be Welsh Saint and at a much larger price is Rapper who did already take one of the qualifying heats for this.
Result - 1st: Sire Du Berlais 10/1
14:50 The Ryanair Steeple Chase (Grade 1)2m 5f [8 Runners]
Last years' winner Frodon adores Cheltenham and is contesting the Ryanair Chase for the third successive year (fifth in 2018, and a brave rallying winner in 2019); back on song with a solid front-running display in the Grade 2 Silviniaco Conti at Kempton latest and will be popular for rider Bryony Frost. A Plus Tard won here last year and then put in a career best in beating Chacun Pour Soi in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown (2m1f, soft) over Christmas. Looking for an each way shot Saint Calvados is a talented horse, and two half miles should show him in a better light than races over two miles (seventh in Champion Chase last year) -- 2nd 16/1.
Result - 1st: Min 2/1.
15:30 The Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
3m [15 Runners]
Paisley Park is going to be a very short price to win this again, but he should do so, and you have to go back two years ago to find his last defeat here in the Albert Bartlett hurdle, to say he's come on a bit since then is an understatement. If the short price favourite is beatable (unlikely) then perhaps Apple's Jade can take advantage as she is a tremendous mare who has won 10 Grade 1's. Won the Mares' Hurdle and took another Grade 1 win at Leopardstown in December. Blinkers on and is good enough if at her best and 20/1 looks big and a place bet is strongly recommended.
Result - 1st: Lisnagar Oscar 50/1.
16:10 The Brown Advisory and Merriebelle Stable Plate (A Handicap Steeple Chase) (Grade 3)
2m 5f [26 Runners]
Three huge fields to end the day with the first of which sees Mister Whitaker [3rd 22/1] return for us he was a big Festival winner (2m4½f) for us back in 2018 managed to win twice last season at Carlisle (2m4f; Listed) and at Cheltenham (2m5f; Grade 2) but hasn't been able to back that form up since. Does need to bounce back but is still a favourite of ours and still considered. Siruh Du Lac managed to complete a four-timer last season, culminating with victory in this race by a comfortable ¾L. Pulled up on his only start this year, in the BetVictor Gold Cup in November. 9lb higher than 12 months ago but could well have been targeted for a repeat bid and Lizzie Kelly would boost the profile of the female jockeys along with Bryony Frost and Rachael Blackmore with further Cheltenham winners.
Result - 1st: Simply the Betts 10/3f.
16:50 The Festival Mares Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)
2m 1f [22 Runners]
A mares hurdle now and Minella Melody maintained her unbeaten hurdles record when taking a Fairyhouse (2m2f, soft) Grade 3 to complete a hat-trick in a race that has proved a good guide to this race. Travels strongly, open to further progress, first try at two miles over hurdles and holds a very strong chance. Willie Mullins has four here and Yukon Lil [4th 20/1] might be his pick of those while support for Nicky Henderson's Floressa should be noted, the yard in flying form already this festival.
Result - 1st: Concertista 9/2.
17:30 The Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Steeple Chase
3m 2f [26 Runners]
And we end with another race for the Amateur riders so will always aim to go with ones that have experienced jockey's on board. That brings together two course winners too with Le Breuil and The Young Master with very good jockey bookings too. Champagne Platinum is a lightly raced 6yo for Nicky Henderson and ridden by Derek O'Connor who is an exciting amateur with a lot of talent.
Result - 1st: Milan Native 9/1.
All the best for today and we'll be back for the final day of this season's meeting featuring of course the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Results to appear later...
Last years' winner Frodon adores Cheltenham and is contesting the Ryanair Chase for the third successive year (fifth in 2018, and a brave rallying winner in 2019); back on song with a solid front-running display in the Grade 2 Silviniaco Conti at Kempton latest and will be popular for rider Bryony Frost. A Plus Tard won here last year and then put in a career best in beating Chacun Pour Soi in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown (2m1f, soft) over Christmas. Looking for an each way shot Saint Calvados is a talented horse, and two half miles should show him in a better light than races over two miles (seventh in Champion Chase last year) -- 2nd 16/1.
Result - 1st: Min 2/1.
 |
| PAISLEY PARK WINNING THE STAYERS HURDLE LAST SEASON |
3m [15 Runners]
Paisley Park is going to be a very short price to win this again, but he should do so, and you have to go back two years ago to find his last defeat here in the Albert Bartlett hurdle, to say he's come on a bit since then is an understatement. If the short price favourite is beatable (unlikely) then perhaps Apple's Jade can take advantage as she is a tremendous mare who has won 10 Grade 1's. Won the Mares' Hurdle and took another Grade 1 win at Leopardstown in December. Blinkers on and is good enough if at her best and 20/1 looks big and a place bet is strongly recommended.
Result - 1st: Lisnagar Oscar 50/1.
16:10 The Brown Advisory and Merriebelle Stable Plate (A Handicap Steeple Chase) (Grade 3)
2m 5f [26 Runners]
Three huge fields to end the day with the first of which sees Mister Whitaker [3rd 22/1] return for us he was a big Festival winner (2m4½f) for us back in 2018 managed to win twice last season at Carlisle (2m4f; Listed) and at Cheltenham (2m5f; Grade 2) but hasn't been able to back that form up since. Does need to bounce back but is still a favourite of ours and still considered. Siruh Du Lac managed to complete a four-timer last season, culminating with victory in this race by a comfortable ¾L. Pulled up on his only start this year, in the BetVictor Gold Cup in November. 9lb higher than 12 months ago but could well have been targeted for a repeat bid and Lizzie Kelly would boost the profile of the female jockeys along with Bryony Frost and Rachael Blackmore with further Cheltenham winners.
Result - 1st: Simply the Betts 10/3f.
16:50 The Festival Mares Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)
2m 1f [22 Runners]
A mares hurdle now and Minella Melody maintained her unbeaten hurdles record when taking a Fairyhouse (2m2f, soft) Grade 3 to complete a hat-trick in a race that has proved a good guide to this race. Travels strongly, open to further progress, first try at two miles over hurdles and holds a very strong chance. Willie Mullins has four here and Yukon Lil [4th 20/1] might be his pick of those while support for Nicky Henderson's Floressa should be noted, the yard in flying form already this festival.
Result - 1st: Concertista 9/2.
17:30 The Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Steeple Chase
3m 2f [26 Runners]
And we end with another race for the Amateur riders so will always aim to go with ones that have experienced jockey's on board. That brings together two course winners too with Le Breuil and The Young Master with very good jockey bookings too. Champagne Platinum is a lightly raced 6yo for Nicky Henderson and ridden by Derek O'Connor who is an exciting amateur with a lot of talent.
Result - 1st: Milan Native 9/1.
All the best for today and we'll be back for the final day of this season's meeting featuring of course the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Results to appear later...
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