CHELTENHAM NH FESTIVAL 2021 THURSDAY 18th MARCH [STAYERS HURDLE]

 

The racing on Day Three features the Ryanair Chase and the latest renewal of The Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle which was won last year by 50/1 shot Lisnagar Oscar trained by Rebecca Curtis and ridden by jockey Adam Wedge. We will also see the great Paisley Park try to regain his title back too, should be a fascinating day. Some big field handicaps too along with the Ryanair Chase to enjoy as well. 

Congratulations to jockey Aidan Coleman who was successful on board Put The Kettle On in the Queen Mother Champion Chase yesterday another big race winner for trainer Henry De Bromhead who is having a great festival so far.

Day Three - 18th March 2021
Weather - Very cloudy day, very little rain forecast, and a high of 11c by the time racing begins today.
Official Going Report - Chase and Hurdle: Good to soft.

13:20  Marsh Novices' Chase (Grade 1) (Registered As The Golden Miller)
2m 3f 168y  [8 runners]
Our opening event features surely the banker of the meeting as the unbeaten ENVOI ALLEN seeks to take his record to 12 straight wins across all NH codes. Champion bumper winner in 2019, he returned to take the Ballymore Hurdle last year and is going to be a warm order to win his Novice Chase championship race this time. 

If there are any mistakes then perhaps FUSIL RAFFLES has won twice here but put in a poor run in-between, so SHAN BLUE is our selection to place here.

Result - 1st: (3) Chantry House @9/1 [Nico de Boinville].

13:55  Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) (Listed)
2m 7f 213y  [24 runners]
A big price winner on the opening day's big handicap (Jeff Kidder 80/1) so anything is possible here, field is headed by The Bosses Oscar, the 6yo is used to large fields but top weight might prevent success here. Unowhatimeanharry is a winner here but at 13yo would be surprised if Harry Fry's horse would be able to repel some of the younger / better handicapped types. 

Dandy Mag was successful in one of the qualifiers at Leopardstown and must be shortlisted for Willie Mullins, surprised he's only got the one runner in this, while David Pipe has another contender in Brinkley while support for Imperial Alcazar would be interesting as he easily accounted for a decent field in another of these heats and has always been considered a quality type. 

Come on Teddy is my main selection for this, landed a bit of a gamble for us at this course in December and was placed again in January looks ready to strike again off a handy weight and should find the hill no problem, likely to be running on at the finish - did well to stay on for the place, 3rd 10/1.

 
Result - 1st: (16) Mrs Milner @12/1 [BJ Cooper].

14:30  Ryanair Chase (Registered As The Festival Trophy) (Grade 1)

2m 5f  [14 runners]

Last years winner MIN returns to try and defend his crown and should be in the mix at the sharp end of affairs, isn't getting any younger (10yo) though and there might be one or two with a little less millage on the clock. ALLAHO [Won 3/1] is one to keep an eye on as the step up in trip seeks to bring out further improvement. IMPERIAL AURA has long been touted as a future star for Kim Bailey and would have been strongly fancied but for the latest unseated effort at Kempton.

Lively Outsider - Dashel Drasher (25/1) front runner, jumps well, progressive as hurdler and continued that improvement over fences, will need to kick on again but place certainly a possibility - Sadly reported as a [Non Runner] this morning.

Result - 1st: (1) Allaho @3/1 [Rachael Blackmore].

Lisnagar Oscar 50/1 winner of last season's Stayers Hurdle

15:05  The Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
2m 7f 213y  [15 runners]
A shock win last year for Lisnagar Oscar (pictured above) he'll be returning to try and score again, might not be so fortunate this year as he's not been in great form so most likely to oppose. Paisley Park attempts to get his stayers title back (7th last year) and has been impressive winning the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot in good style, would be a great story and his owner Mr Andrew Gemmell is a great advert for racing too. 

Three runners for trainer Mrs Denise Foster who of course has taken the licence from banned trainer Gordon Elliott, Fury Road, Sire Du Berlais, The Storyteller the latter of that trio would be one of my selections though tempted to ignore all three given the circumstances. 

Lively outsider - If The Cap Fits (22/1) carries famous colours and was a talented hurdler prior to a chasing campaign, interesting that he comes back to the smaller obstacles and his rating over hurdles would put him right up there with some of the market leaders in this field.

Result - 1st: (3) Flooring Porter @12/1 [D E Mullins].

15:40  Paddy Power Plate Handicap Chase (Grade 3)
2m 4f 127y  [23 runners]
Another big field handicap, where an old friend Mister Whitaker makes some appeal, proven at the track, was not disgraced in this last year and a couple of prep races should see him bang there (hopefully) with Mick Channon still keeping his small string of NH horses while also chasing Classic's. 

Farclas won the Triumph a few years back, now with stand in trainer Mrs D Foster, has been highly tried in handicaps since but very capable of putting in a big run again. Bit short in the market though so we prefer the each chances of Oldgrangewood (20/1) was fourth in this and usually jumps well despite recent lapse is still one I would place my faith in today. We will also keep a close eye on The Shunter who is chasing a £100,000 bonus after winning the Morebattle at Kelso earlier in the month. YES well done to the connections and collect the big bonus on offer. 

Result - 1st: (14) The Shunter @9/4f [J C Gainford].

16:15  Parnell Properties Mares' Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Dawn Run Mares' Novices' Hurdle)
2m 179y  [15 runners]
Just the fifteen now, with Willie Mullins supplying four of them, and maybe top one Gauloise is the pick of those. The Irish trainers appear to dominate this race today so fresh from her win in the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday maybe Telmesomethinggirl (WON @5/1) can go in for Rachael Blackmore she was placed in a big field at Leopardstown and a three time winner this season, while The Glancing Queen sits dangerously for Alan King a winner of an Aintree bumper and has picked  up a few hurdle events, the connections are very familiar to success here.

While JP O'Brian runs Mighty Blue who he was successful with on the flat and has been highly tried over hurdles so far but would not be a surprise to see a big run here at decent odds (placed 3rd @12/1).

Result - 1st: (14) Telmesomethinggirl (IRE) @5/1 [Rachael Blackmore].

16:50  The Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase
3m 2f  [24 runners]
This event is usually for Amateurs only but with the BHA deciding that only professional jockeys will ride this year I await to see if this race is replaced or changed to allow any rider. Seems that the race is now open to all and with a huge field of 24 this won't be easy. 

Field is headed by Double Shuffle [Non Runner] who has talent as a chaser but top weight might find him out, should get around but fancy others in the field today. Storm Control has won twice around here this season but then something amiss last time needs to bounce back so again we look elsewhere. Mick Channon knows the route to winning at the festival with his relatively small number of jumpers, he has Hold The Note here was placed at the festival last year could well surprise (placed 4th). 

Outsider to note - Musical Slave [P Hobbs] @20/1 successful hurdler and runs in the colours of JP McManus, ran on to be placed at Ascot and the step up in trip might well see him in a different light.

Result - 1st: (3) Mount Ida @3/1f [JW Kennedy].

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...