Cheltenham Festival Day Three: Newsboy's Expert Race-by-Race Guide
As the Cheltenham Festival reaches its thrilling midpoint on Thursday, our esteemed tipster Newsboy delivers his comprehensive betting analysis for all seven races. With the prestigious Stayers' Hurdle taking center stage, this guide provides detailed insights and 1-2-3 predictions to help navigate one of jump racing's most competitive days.
1.20 Mares' Novices' Hurdle: Oldschool Outlaw to Shine
OLDSCHOOL OUTLAW emerges as the standout selection in the opening contest. This Gordon Elliott-trained mare demonstrated her quality with a decisive victory over last year's Champion Bumper heroine Bambino Fever at Naas in December. Since joining Elliott's stable, she has shown remarkable progression, culminating in an impressive nine-length triumph in the Grade 3 Solerina Mares Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse last month.
While hot favourite Bambino Fever commands respect with her Festival experience, Newsboy believes Oldschool Outlaw represents superior value. The front two finished eleven lengths clear of their rivals at Naas, suggesting a significant class edge. Echoing Silence and Charme De Faust complete the podium predictions in what promises to be an exciting curtain-raiser.
2.00 Handicap Chase: Jordans Cross to Continue Unbeaten Run
JORDANS CROSS boasts a perfect record over fences when completing his races, making him the compelling choice in this competitive handicap. The Anthony Honeyball-trained gelding has demonstrated remarkable consistency this season, securing narrow victories at Doncaster and Cheltenham's Trials Day in January.
Despite a 6lb rise in the weights, Newsboy anticipates further improvement from this progressive chaser. In an open contest featuring a full field, Meetmebythesea appears primed for a strong showing, while Wingmen and Sixmilebridge warrant consideration for each-way positions.
2.40 Mares' Hurdle: Wodhooh to Capitalize on Absence
The departure of Lossiemouth to the Champion Hurdle has significantly improved WODHOOH'S prospects in this Grade 1 contest. Gordon Elliott's remarkable mare has suffered just one defeat in ten hurdle starts, establishing herself as one of the most consistent performers in training.
Her current form is particularly compelling, having secured victories in the Ascot Hurdle and a Leopardstown Grade 3 over Christmas. Last year's runner-up Jade De Grugy appears destined for second place once more, with Feet Of A Dancer and Take No Chances competing for the minor honors.
3.20 Stayers' Hurdle: Ma Shantou to Continue Progress
The feature race sees MA SHANTOU face the toughest challenge of his career, but Newsboy believes Emma Lavelle's charge is ready for the step up in class. The seven-year-old has shown exceptional improvement this season, most notably when storming to a seven-length victory in the Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle on Cheltenham's Trials Day.
In a stellar renewal of the Stayers' Hurdle, former winners Teahupoo and reigning champion Bob Olinger command respect, along with consistent performers Honesty Policy and Home By The Lee. However, Ma Shantou's relentless staying power makes him the selection to secure a fourth victory at jump racing's headquarters.
4.00 Ryanair Chase: Fact To File to Defend Crown
FACT TO FILE returns to defend the Ryanair Chase title he won so impressively twelve months ago. Willie Mullins' decision to bypass the Gold Cup in favor of this race appears justified given the nine-year-old's dominant performance in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown last time out.
Despite a below-par effort in the King George VI Chase, Fact To File's career highlights include victories in the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase and last year's Ryanair Chase at the Festival. King George second Banbridge represents the primary danger, with Jonbon and last year's runner-up Heart Wood completing the podium predictions.
4.40 Pertemps Final: Absolutely Doyen to Maintain Perfect Record
ABSOLUTELY DOYEN brings an unbeaten record in five starts for Paul Nicholls into this competitive handicap hurdle. The six-year-old has shown remarkable improvement since joining the champion trainer's yard, progressing through novice events to handicap company with increasing authority.
In what Newsboy describes as a "headscratcher" of a Pertemps Final, favourite Supremely West and the first-time-blinkered Melbourne Shamrock represent the most credible threats to Absolutely Doyen's perfect record under Nicholls' guidance.
5.20 Amateur Riders' Handicap Chase: Herakles Westwood's Course Form
The closing contest sees HERAKLES WESTWOOD selected to capitalize on his excellent Cheltenham form. The nine-year-old has been kept exclusively to this course in his last three outings, most recently securing victory over this distance on New Year's Day.
The booking of top amateur Finny Maguire provides an additional positive, while a manageable 2lb rise in the weights appears lenient given his recent success. In a fiendishly difficult finale, Waterford Whispers, Daily Present, Weveallbeencaught and Ask Brewster all merit consideration for each-way positions.
Newsboy's comprehensive analysis provides racing enthusiasts with expert guidance through one of the Cheltenham Festival's most challenging days. With detailed reasoning behind each selection and alternative options identified, this guide offers valuable insights for both casual viewers and serious punters alike.
