Cheltenham Festival's St Patrick's Thursday: Green Jackets and Racing Tips

My lucky green coat is making its annual appearance from the wardrobe, ready for the vibrant celebrations at Cheltenham. St Patrick's Thursday promises to be a bouncing affair—if you can't beat the Irish, there's no better place to join them. We'll be in the Guinness Village before racing for a raucous singalong, and the biggest certainty of the meeting is me failing to hit the high notes in the chorus of Wild Rover. But remember: nobody is here looking for record deals. All we want are winners!

The Joy of Day Three at Cheltenham

This is what makes day three one of the most enjoyable of the year, and I'm convinced Thursday's card offers a lot of good punting opportunities. Whether you prefer sticking with favourites or exploring something a little more leftfield, there's plenty to excite racing enthusiasts.

Key Races and Selections

The first race at 1.20 sees what many believe to be the banker of the week. Defeat for BAMBINO FEVER in the Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle isn't considered an option by the Willie Mullins team. Providing there are no unforeseen blips, she will follow up last year's Champion Bumper win.

Things get more competitive from then on, and I will be siding with JORDANS CROSS in the ferociously competitive Jack Richards Novices' Chase at 2.00. I wrote on Tuesday about my admiration for his trainer, Anthony Honeyball, and when—not if—he breaks his Festival duck, it will be in a handicap chase. I loved the way Jordans Cross knuckled down after the last fence on Trials Day 47 days ago, in what is always an informative race, and this gelding will go well. I'm fearful of Stencil, who carries JP McManus's colours, but I hope 'Honey' will be in the money.

The Mares' Hurdle at 2.40 looks to be at the mercy of WODHOOH, who ran away with the Martin Pipe Hurdle at last year's meeting. She would have given Champion Hurdler Lossiemouth something to think about, had Mullins chosen to run in this event, but now the coast is clear.

Grade One Highlights and Strong Contenders

That is the first of three Grade Ones, and the feature is in the middle: the Stayers' Hurdle at 3.20. The Irish, typically, have a strong hand. Gordon Elliott is keen on Teahupoo winning again, while sentiment will be with Brian Acheson's other runner Bob Olinger. Ballyburn, for Mullins, is ominous.

Something, however, is drawing me to KABRAL DU MATHAN. In a stable packed with talent, this gelding might just be the best horse Dan Skelton has on his hands. He hasn't put a foot wrong all season, and his trainer is adamant he will stay three miles; he is some prospect.

Further Selections and Final Thoughts

Skelton's team are in outstanding form—he said they would be in the interview he did with Daily Mail Sport on Tuesday—and SUPREMELY WEST looks tailor-made to live up to favouritism in the Pertemps Handicap at 4.40. Whatever beats him will win.

McManus has a strong hand in the Ryanair Chase at 4.00, but I find it difficult to believe both Fact To File and Jonbon will run, given the ground-quickening conditions. Jonbon is the apple of McManus's eye, a consistent winning machine, and he simply wouldn't risk him on the wrong surface.

I expect Irish eyes to be smiling in the final race, and KIM ROQUE is one of my strongest fancies of the week. His form figures might not look too impressive, but he's had a couple of sighters over winter, and Joseph O'Brien has the gelding in good form. His owner, Ronnie Bartlett, has had a few good horses down the years, and he would love to be back in the winners' enclosure here once again.

But, then again, wouldn't everyone involved? This is Cheltenham—this is where it matters more than anything.