Cheltenhan Festival 2024 - Day Three

 


14:10 - Pertemps Handicap Hurdle

GABBY'S CROSS has caught the eye the last twice, running on well late after trouble in running to finish 2nd and he has clearly been held back to protect his mark for this. His Irish mark is 127 and although the UK handicapper has given him 133 here, that still looks like a very favorable mark based on his chase form (rated 143 at the start of the season). He is proven on all types of ground and Darragh O'Keeffe rides well around Cheltenham finishing in the first 4 in 35% of his rides here and +£13 to £1 level stakes.

GABBYS CROSS 11/1 - 1 Point Each-Way


14:50 - Ryanair Chase

I think there is an outstanding bet in here at the time of writing, not an imaginative selection but you can get 9/2 with 4 places each way on ENOVOI ALLEN and I think that has to be taken. He won this last year and ran to the same RPR when 2nd to Gerri Colombe over a 3-mile trip where he was just outstayed. Back down to 2m4f at Cheltenham where he is 3-5, I find it hard to see him out of the first 4 and tough to beat.

ENVOI ALLEN 9/2 - 1.5 Points Each-Way


17:30 - Kim Muir Challenge Cup

This is always a tough puzzle to solve and it’s clear to see Inothewayurthinking has been laid out for this by his shrewd connections. Gavin Cromwell has farmed big handicaps in the UK this year and I’m expecting his runner to improve for the step up in trip, but 9/4 in a 24-runner amateur rider's handicap is not my kind of bet.

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN was hugely impressive when turning over a Willie Mullins buzz horse in the Punchestown Grand National Trial last month, he looks a decent bet each-way here with 6 places on offer. Based on that run I think a mark of 135 could seriously underestimate his ability.


WHERE IT ALL BEGAN 7/1 - 1 Point Each-Way

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