That's it for another day ...
And so ends a thoroughly enjoyable day’s racing, the highlights of which were Bryony Frost’s win on the unbelievably courageous Frodon in the Ryanair Chase, followed by the fairytale win of Paisley Park for owner Adam Gemmell and trainer Emma Lavelle in the Stayers’ Hurdle. Lizzie Kelly made it a particularly notable day for women in racing when she led from pillar to post to take the Plate Handicap Chase on Siruh Du Lac. Here are your winners for today, I hope you managed to pick a couple of them.
- JLT Novice Hurdle (1.30): Defi Du Seuil (Barry Geraghty) 3-1 fav
- Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle (2.10): Sire Du Berlais (Barry Geraghty) 4-1 fav
- Ryanair Chase (2.50): Frodon (Bryony Frost) 9-2
- Stayers Hurdle (3.30): Paisley Park (Aidan Coleman) 11-8 fav
- Brown Advisory Plate Handicap Chase (4.10): Siruh Du Lac (Lizzie Kelly) 9-2
- Dawn Run Mares’ Novice Hurdle (4.50): Eglantine Du Seuil (Noel Fehily) 50-1
-
Kim Muir Handicap Chase (5.30):
- Any Second Now (Mr Derek O’Connor) 6-1
Updated
Kim Muir Handicap Chase (5.30) result
1 Any Second Now (Mr Derek O’Connor) 6-1
2 Kilfilum Cross (Mr Alex Edwards) 7-1
3 The Young Master (Mr S Waley-Cohen) 22-1
4 Crievehill (Mr Z Baker) 40-1
23 ran
Also: 3-1 Fav Measureofmydreams
Non Runner: 5
CSF: 46.46
Tricast: 925.00
Kim Muir Handicap Chase (5.30): Speaker Connolly unseats his rider. Arkwrisht is a faller. Kilfilum Cross is in front as they head towards the last ... Any Second Now passes him ... Any Second Now wins for jockey Derek O’Connor and trainer Ted Walsh. Any Second Now wins the final race of the day. Kilfilum Cross was second, with The Young Master in third. Crievehill was third.
Updated
Kim Muir Handicap Chase (5.30) Crievehill and Captain Chaos are side by side at the front as they plod along with five to jump. Rogue Angel is next ...
Kim Muir Handicap Chase (5.30) With well over a circuit to go Pearl Royale and Perfect Candidate are already struggling, while Measureofmydreams is still near the rear.
Kim Muir Handicap Chase (5.30) Crievehill leads from Captain Chaos, then Rogue Angel ... no fallers so far.
Kim Muir Handicap Chase (5.30): Measureofmydreams makes a mistake at one of the early fences but stays on its feet.
Kim Muir Handicap Chase (5.30) 3m 2f
It’s the final race of the day and Jamie Codd, who has won the last on each of the past two days, is on the favourite Measureofmydreams, trained by Gordon Elliott. It’s a false start, the first of the day, so they’ll take a turn and set off from a standing start.
Kim Muir Handicap Chase (5.30) betting
- Measureofmydreams – 9/2
- Any Second Now – 9/2
- Kilfum Cross – 10/1
- It’s All Guesswork – 12/1
- No Comment – 12/1
- Just a Sting – 18/1
- Touch Kick – 18/1
- Speaker Connolly – 20/1
- Sky Pirate – 20/1
- The Young Master – 25/1
- Squoateur – 33/1
- Livelovelaugh – 33/1
- Captain Chaos – 40/1
- Rogue Angel – 40/1
- Arkwrisht – 40/1
- Perfect Candidate – 40/1
- Treacle Tart – 40/1
- Crievehill – 66/1
- Ah Littleluck – 66/1
- Uhlan Bute – 100/1
- Pearl Royale – 100/1
- Sumkindofking – 100/1
- Drumconnor Lad – 125/1
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- Oddshcecker is donating 5p for every Cheltenham bet to the Injured Jockeys Fund
Noel Fehily has something to say: Having ridden the winner of the last race, Noel Fehily has announced he’ll be retiring at some point in the coming weeks. “It’s important to me to go out on a winner,” he tells Racing TV’s Lydia Hislop.
Updated
Preview: Kim Muir Handicap Chase (5.30)
Here’s a favourite that’s surely going to drift a bit. Measureofmydreams hasn’t won for three years and, while he may recover his old form now that he’s with Gordon Elliott, this hasn’t been a brilliant week so far for following Elliott handicappers. He made several mistakes in big-field races a couple of years ago and I’d expect to see him clout one here. Any Second Now also looks a bit high in the betting, considering he’s 0/9 over fences, although he has some quality form.
It’s All Guesswork ran a super-eyecatching race when sixth in a Pertemps qualifier last time and he looks progressive over fences, albeit not quick. Rogue Angel is an Irish National winner from years gone by who is interesting for this second spin around Cheltenham, having gone well for a long way in the four-miler years ago. The Young Master has been having a good season and returns from a break with his stable in form. He could do with the ground drying out. Kilfilum Cross is interesting, having won his handicap debut on his first start for Henry Oliver. He’s a big beast with more to offer.
Dawn Run Mares' Novice Hurdle (4.50) result
1 Eglantine Du Seuil (N D Fehily) 50-1
2 Concertista (D E Mullins) 66-1
3 Tintangle (J W Kennedy) 40-1
22 ran
Also: 15-8 Fav Epatante, 25-1 Black Tears 4th
Updated
Dawn Run Mares’ Novice Hurdle (4.50): Eglantine Du Seuil wins at 50-1 under jockey Noel Fehily for trainer Willie Mullins. Concertista was second at 66-1 on her first ever trip over obstacles.
Dawn Run Mares’ Novice Hurdle (4.50): Epatante is in midfield as Emily Moon continues to make the running under Robbie Power, who is setting a strong gallop. Emily Moon leads from Elfile and Sinoria, with about 15 lengths separating the field. Emily Moon weakens but Presidente Line leads over the last hurdle with Concertista and Eglantine Du Seuil ... Concertista and Eglantine Du Seuil cross the line together and will have to be separated by a photo.
Updated
Dawn Run Mares’ Novice Hurdle (4.50) They’re off. Emily Moon and Posh Trish are first over the first hurdle as the large field negotiates the first hurdle safely.
Updated
Dawn Run Mares' Novice Hurdle (4.50) 2m 1f
The runners and riders are down at the start, with Epatante the favourite under Barry Geraghty, who has already ridden a double today.
Dawn Run Mares' Novice Hurdle (4.50) betting
- Epatante – 13/8
- Posh Trish – 5/1
- Sinoria – 9/1
- My Sister Sarah – 9/1
- Elusive belle – 20/1
- Queenohearts – 11/1
- Lust for glory – 20/1
- Sancta Simona – 25/1
- Emily Moon – 28/1
- Indefatigable – 40/1
- Elfle – 66/1
- Black Tears – 40/1
- Eglantine Du Seuil – 80/1
- Allez Dance – 100/1
- Tintangle – 66/1
- Buildmeupbuttercup – 100/1
- Concertista – 66/1
- Presidente Line – 150/1
- Court Maid – 150/1
- Awayinthewest – 150/1
- Diamond Gait – 150/1
- Dame du Soir – 250/1
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Dawn Run Mares' Novice Hurdle (4.50) preview
It feels slightly odd to not just be backing an odds-on shot from Willie Mullins’s yard in this, but no such horse is available for the first time in the four-year history of this contest. Nicky Henderson has suggested that Epatante represents his best chance of a winner this week, which looks like good information, now that he’s already had three winners.
She gets 5lbs from the other obvious one, Posh Trish, four times a winner for Paul Nicholls this term. From Ireland comes Sinoria, a half-sister to Minella Rocco who seems to be going the right way. Mullins fields My Sister Sarah, who has something to prove on the bare form.
Updated
😁 She's one happy lady!@LizDKelly spoke to @olibellracing following her win on Siruh Du Lac in the Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 14, 2019
Watch the #CheltenhamFestival LIVE on @ITV pic.twitter.com/Ior7bcScKI
Brown Advisory Plate Handicap Chase (4.10) result
1 Siruh Du Lac (Lizzie Kelly) 9-2
2 Janika (D A Jacob) 3-1 Fav
3 Spiritofthegames (Harry Skelton) 6-1
4 Eamon An Cnoic (T Scudamore) 10-1
22 ran
Non Runners: 10,20
CSF: 17.57
Tricast: 90.55
Updated
Brown Advisory Plate Handicap Chase (4.10): “I actually watched Bryony and thought: ‘You know what, that was my game plan’,” she says. to ITV’s Oli Bell. “My question mark was whether he would stay but I wasn’t in a position to take a pull down the back to get a breather into him. My God, he jumps. He jumps and he jumps and he jumps and he jumps and he jumps.” Along with Rachael Blackmore and Bryony Frost, Lizzie Kelly is the third different female jockey to ride a winner at this year’s Festival. If only there was somewhere you could read more about them ...
Brown Advisory Plate Handicap Chase (4.10): Siruh Du Lac continues to lead but they’re queueing up behind with one to jump. Siruh Du Lac is over the last in front with Janika in hot pursuit. Siruh Du Lac wins for Lizzie Kelly in a pillar to post win. Janika was second and - I think - Spiritofthegames was third.
Updated
Brown Advisory Plate Handicap Chase (4.10): River Wild pulls up as Siruh Du Lac continues to lead from the front, with Didero Vallis a length behind. Splash Of Ginge is third while Janika is nicely poised with three to jump ...
Brown Advisory Plate Handicap Chase (4.10) 2m 5f
They’re away and running in the third last race of the day, with two exceptionally hard acts to follow after one of the most fascinating hours in Cheltenham Festival history. The gallop is relentless and Lizzie Kelly leads the charge on Siruh Du Lac with the field well spread out. Testify is next, with Slash Of Ginge and Didero Vallis. Kings Odyssey is a faller.
Andrew Gemmell speaks: Like everyone else with a runner at Cheltenham this week, Paisley Park’s owner spoke to Chris Cook in the build-up.
"It's a real dream trip, this is amazing!"
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 14, 2019
🙌 This is what the #CheltenhamFestival is all about
Andrew Gemmell spoke to @aliceplunkett after Paisley Park's win in the Sky Racing Stayers' Hurdle
Watch LIVE on @ITV pic.twitter.com/XGTRuwYlX0
Preview: Brown Advisory Plate Handicap Chase (4.10)
Nicky Henderson has the favourite in Janika, a good second in both his starts since arriving from France. However, this one is now 11lbs higher in the ratings than when he got here and he hasn’t actually won anything yet. Henderson also put in a good word recently for River Wylde, last seen suffering a nasty fall at Haydock in November, when the fences were too stiff. He was third in the Supreme a couple of years ago.
Siruh Du Lac is unbeaten in three this season and beat Janika by a head here in January. Spiritofthegames ran fifth in a handicap hurdle at the last Festival and has made a good transition to fences, running third to Kildisart here in January. Azzerti, a late and unlucky faller in that race, was going well at the time and may get involved if he’s allowed a smidgen more room.
Stayer's Hurdle (3.30) result
1 Paisley Park (Aidan Coleman) 11-8 Fav
2 Sam Spinner (Joe Colliver) 33-1
3 Faugheen (R Walsh) 4-1
18 ran
Also: 16-1 Bapaume 4th
Tote: win 2.10 places 1.40 8.00 2.10
Tote Exacta: 37.80
CSF: 65.28
Tricast: 169.79
Andrew Gemmell speaks to ITV Racing: “I can’t believe it’s happened,” says the winning owner. “I hope it’s the first of many, let’s keep coming back.”
Updated
Stayers Hurdle (3.30): Another fairytale as Paisley Park wins the Stayers by three lengths from Sam Spinner and Faugheen - I think - was third. Paisley Park made life incredibly difficult for himself there, getting stuck in traffic, extricating himself and then blundering through the last. He dug deep on the run-in and found loads more in the tank. Paisley Park and Aidan Coleman win the Stayers.
Stayers Hurdle (3.30): Sam Spinner leads from Wholestone and Faugheen. Paisley Park is in seventh but risks getting stuck in traffic as they head towards the second last. Faugheen moves alongside Sam Spinner in front. Faugheen and Sam Spinner lead them up the hill. Paisley Park is galloping into contention. Paisley Park moves into the lead and blunders his way through the last. Paisley Park digs in and finds more. Paisley Park wins the Stayers!!!!!!!!
Updated
Stayers Hurdle (3.30): Nautical Nitwit, Sam Spinner, Faugheen, Wholestone and Kilbricken Storm. Black Op is Behind him with Top Notch. Paisley Park is in midfield and doing ok. They’re three out, but a long way from home.
Stayers Hurdle (3.30): Nautical Nitwit leads by three or four lengths from Sam Spinner, then Faugheen, Kilbricken Storm and Wholestone. The field bunches up and they’ve seven to jump ...
Stayers Hurdle (3.30): Off they go, with Nautical Nitwit and Sam Spinner making the early running, five or six lengths clear of Faugheen ...
Stayers Hurdle (3.30) 3m
Another potential fairytale on the cards here, if Paisley Park - a horse who has endured no end of health problems - can justify favouritism and win for his owner Andrew Gemmell, who has been blind since birth. “He’s great fun,” says suave and debonair ITV Racing presenter Ed Chamberlin. Everybody wants this horse to win ... except the bookies, of course. But who cares about them? They’ll be away and running any second now ....
"He's Pegasus! He has got wings! He's the most incredible battler!"
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 14, 2019
What a moment for Bryony Frost, achieving dreams here at the #CheltenhamFestival@olibellracing chatted with the winning jocket pic.twitter.com/VLOuadW6NB
Stayers Hurdle (3.30) betting
- Paisley Park – 6/4
- Faugheen – 9/2
- Supasundae – 11/1
- Black Op – 12/1
- Kilbricken Storm – 16/1
- Top Notch – 16/1
- Bapaume – 20/1
- Bacardys – 28/1
- Petit Mouchoir – 33/1
- Wholestone – 40/1
- Sam Spinner – 40/1
- Yanworth – 40/1
- West Approach – 50/1
- The Mighty Don – 100/1
- Coquin Mans – 125/1
- Keeper Hill – 150/1
- Nautical Nitwit – 300/1
- Man of Plenty – 300/1
-
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“Paisley Park (best price 2-1) has been sensational this season and I don’t see the seven-year-old’s form changing anytime soon,” says Oddschecker equine connoisseur Sam Eaton. “Emma Lavelle’s horse demolished a decent field which included Black Op, Wholestone and Aux Ptits Soins to name a few at this course in January.”
Preview: Stayers Hurdle (3.30)
This could be the heartwarming story of the week, if Paisley Park can win for the popular trainer Emma Lavelle and his owner Andrew Gemmell, blind since birth and a regular attendee at Festivals since the early 70s. But Paisley Park will have to be truly outstanding to do it, having been vigorously campaigned since October. Faugheen “The Machine” is the old man of the party these days, trying to win at the Festival for the first time since his Champion Hurdle four years ago. In view of his horrible fall behind Apple’s Jade in December, maybe we should just be glad that he’s here at all.
Supasundae won a handicap here two years ago and chased home Penhill in this race last year. Since Penhill is sidelined, what’s to stop Supasundae going one better? Kilbricken Storm won last year’s Albert Bartlett and now returns to hurdles, having failed over fences. His stable could be in better form. Sam Spinner and Yanworth had the necessary ability at one time but their recent form undermines hope.
Interview: In case you’re unfamiliar with the work of Bryony Frost, here’s an interview she did in the build-up to the Festival with our own Chris Cook.
Ryanair Chase: That was one of the best horse races I’ve ever seen and on ITV, Brough Scott couldn’t agree more. That horse had to dig extremely deep after getting passed at the second last and again at the bottom of the hill. Bryony Frost’s post race interview was something else as well. Hopefully ITV will flag it up on Twitter shortly, at which point I’ll stick it up here. Frodon and her jockey are getting the biggest reception of any winning duo this week in the winning enclosure.
Ryanair Chase (2.50) result
1 Frodon (Bryony Frost) 9-2
2 Aso (Charlie Deutsch) 33-1
3 Road To Respect (S W Flanagan) 9-2
12 ran
Also: 7-2 Fav Footpad, 5-1 Monalee 4th
Tote: win 4.80 places 1.70 7.00 1.70
Tote Exacta: 105.30
CSF: 143.44
Tricast: 712.39
Updated
Ryanair Chase (2.50): Frodon and Bryony Frost win the Ryanair Chase for trainer Paul Nicholls. That was a terrific race and a very brave run from the winner.
“He’s got his day, guys,” says a jubilant Bryony Frost of her horse. “He’s Pegasus, he’s a terrific battler. It was that minute he got headed two out and he grabbed me by the hand and said “I want this, don’t you let me down”. He’s unbelivable and I love him. The dream that he’s just made come true for me, he’s incredible. He’ll deserve every high five, carrot and Polo Mint he’ll get.” Some dust in your reporter’s eye, here.
Ryanair Chase (2.50): Aso leads from Frodon with Un De Sceaux close behind. Footpad is in sixth, getting a patient ride. Frodon goes back in front with Aso on his outside ... Frodon leads at the last with Aso alongside him ... Frodon wins for Bryony Frost! Frodon beats Aso and Road to Respect.
Updated
Ryanair Chase (2.50): Frodon and Sub Liutenant are the one-two qwith Monalee , Road To Respect and Aso all breathing down their necks. At the back, Coney Island and Charbel are struggling. Un De Sceaux is bang in contention they’ve four to jump ...
Ryanair Chase (2.50): Frodon narrowly in the lead from Sub Lieutenant, Monalee, Aso and Road To Respect.
Ryanair Chase (2.50) 2m 5f
Off they go in the Ryanair Chase with Footpad the 7-2 favourite – this should be an excellent race; one of the most competitive of the week. Frodon immediately takes up the running under Bryony Frost, with Sub Lieutenant just behind her. They’re a couple of lengths clear of Monalee and Road To Respect ...
Two women jockeys in the Ryanair: Rachael Blackmore rides Monalee and Bryony Frost rides Frodon - both horses with big chances. Speaking of women jockeys, there’s a superb documentary about them on ITV4 at 10.30am on Saturday this Saturday. It will also be available on the ITV Hub for a month after that and it’s well worth a look. Read on ...
Ryanair Chase (2.50) betting
- Footpad 7/2
- Monalee 9/2
- Road To Respect 11/2
- Un De Sceaux 11/2
- Frodon 15/2
- The Storyteller 25/1
- Terrefort 25/1
- Balko Des Flos 28/1
- Aso 33/1
- Coney Island 33/1
- Charbel 40/1
- Sub Lieutenant 66/1
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Greg Wood, our racing correspondent, is in spiky mood today!!! If the activity in my email inbox is any indication, most bookie PRs are too busy emailing me press releases about assorted “wacky” wheezes they’ve dreamt up to attract the attention (and money) of potential customers to notice how many winning favourites there have been.
Six winning favourites in a row at the #Festival. The first plaintive wail from a bookies’ PR about imminent betting industry #Armageddon will be along presently.
— Greg Wood (@Greg_Wood_) March 14, 2019
Feel this is complete abandonment of punters by @GamRegGB over #BetBright situation, laughable to suggest that BB was potentially insolvent when it had a £15m asset in its tech. Rumours suggest wd have taken £1m of that to cover all liabilities, less of course to offer cashout. https://t.co/EnsXMUklGF
— Greg Wood (@Greg_Wood_) March 13, 2019
Ryanair Chase (2.50)
A funny sort of race, this, which has attracted quite a strong field by offering a refuge for those fleeing other races. Footpad, evading the mighty Altior, has had his hind shoes whipped off him after he kept cutting into himself and would be a big player if recovering the form of his Arkle win last year. Monalee was no match for Presenting Percy last year or for Kemboy at Christmas, but perhaps he can be the best at this intermediate distance.
Road To Respect and Frodon are others who have ducked the Gold Cup and both have enough class to get involved, though this is the end of a busy, productive season for Frodon and he tends to be losing his form by this stage. Un De Sceaux is the specialist Ryanair runner among the leading contenders but he’s also the oldest at the age of 11 and needs to turn around last year’s form with Balko Des Flos.
Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle (1.30) result
1 Sire Du Berlais (B J Geraghty) 4-1 Fav
2 Tobefair (Thomas Bellamy) 40-1
3 Not Many Left (M P Walsh) 16-1
4 Cuneo (Rachael Blackmore) 12-1
24 ran
CSF: 193.06
Tricast: 2446.82
Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle (2.10): “I thought I was in trouble three out, I got tight for room,” says Barry Geraghty in an interview with ITV. “It was a good battle, it was a lovely race to win.”
Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle (2.10) Heading towards the last, Cuneo takes up the running under Rachael Blackmore but Sire Du Berlais wins by a neck for favourite backers to give Barry Geraghty his second winner of the afternoon, this time for trainer Gordon Elliott.
Updated
Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle (2.10) Abolitionist continues to make the running while Culture De Sivola whipping them in at the rear. Abolitionist from Oh Land Abloom, Aaron Lad, Aspen Colorado ... the well backed Champers On Ice is struggling, so it doesn’t look like there’ll be any corks popped by anyone who backed him. A lot of horses in contention here, with plenty jockeying for position in the traffic ...
Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle (2.10) 3m
The 24 runners and riders in the Pertemps set off with Abolitionist and Oh Land Abloom leading the way from Coole Cody and ... eh, 21 other horses.
Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle (2.10) betting
- Sire Du Berlais – 9/2
- Samburu Shujaa – 10/1
- First Assignment – 12/1
- Notwhatiam – 18/1
- Champers on Ice – 12/1
- Thermistocles – 14/1
- Cuneo – 16/1
- Abolitionist – 18/1
- Flemcara – 16/1
- Not Many Left – 18/1
- Walk to Freedom – 20/1
- Aaron Lad – 22/1
- A Toi Phil – 25/1
- Boyhood – 25/1
- Theclockisticking – 28/1
- Black Mischief – 33/1
- Wait For Me – 40/1
- Coole Cody – 40/1
- Aspen Colorado – 40/1
- Tobefair – 50/1
- Culture de Sivola – 50/1
- Padleyourowncanoe – 66/1
- Eminent Poet – 66/1
- Oh Land Abloom – 66/1
-
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🚨 We are going to donate a lump sum to @IJF_official today…and the amount depends on YOU! Please RT to help support a tremendous cause 🔄
— Oddschecker (@Oddschecker) March 14, 2019
🏆 We will also boost our donation to £1 for every bet (£1+) on the #Cheltenham Gold Cup tomorrow!
T&Cs apply: https://t.co/CIghLCBjj0 pic.twitter.com/VmaL0jzQsD
Jamie Osbourne weighs in on the week’s big debate
And guess what? Like AP McCoy, he doesn’t think Declan Lavery should have been banned either.
Calling all fans of National Hunt racing and the #CheltenhamFestival2019 pic.twitter.com/lMzQSQYay9
— jamie osborne (@osbornejamie) March 14, 2019
Preview: Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle (2.10)
How interesting to see the market plumping firmly for a horse who hasn’t won since he was based in France three years ago. This must be one of those tricky handicaps! Sire Du Berlais attracted attention by staying on well from the back to be sixth in the Leopardstown qualifier and the fitting of cheekpieces may help him to make a more timely effort here. Not Many Left is another interesting Irish raider and he clearly had something in hand when winning the Huntingdon qualifier. But the stable jockey, Robbie Power, prefers Walk To Freedom, who was a few places ahead of Sire Du Berlais at Leopardstown. Samburu Shujaa appears the most likely of the home defence in light of his Chepstow win three weeks ago, though he looked a bit ponderous.
JLT Novice Chase (1.30) result
1 Defi Du Seuil (B J Geraghty) 3-1 Fav
2 Lostintranslation (R M Power) 4-1
3 Mengli Khan (J W Kennedy) 9-1
10 ran
Also: 9-1 Kildisart 4th
Tote: win 3.60 places 1.60 1.60 3.30
Tote Exacta: 10.80
CSF: 15.54
Tricast: 96.58
Updated
JLT Novice Chase (1.30): Defi Du Seuil wins under Barry Geraghty for trainer Philip Hobbs. The 3-1 favourite prevails in the latest of a series of duels with Lostintranslation. That’s Barry Geraghty’s 30th Festival winner.
JLT Novice Chase (1.30): Voix De Reve undeats Ruby Walsh. Lostintranslation and Menghli Khan are on the run-in, with Defi Du Seuil coming up on their outside. Defi Du Seuil wins by a length and a half from Lostintranslation. Menghli Khan was third.
Updated
JLT Novice Chase (1.30): Lostintranslation continues to make the running from Menghli Khan and Vindication, while Real Steel knuckles on landing at one fence and drops back towards the rear of the field. Lostintranslation leads with Defi Du Seuil tracking him, Menghli Khan is up there too in a tightly bunched group where everyone has a chance with three to jump ...
JLT Novice Chase (1.30) 2m 4f
They’re off and running on Day Three of the Festival, with the very stiff breeze blowing the starter’s raised flag suggesting the wind is at their backs. Voix Du Reve makes a mistake at the first and has jockey Ruby Walsh doing his best “hailing a cab” impression, but the duo remain intact. Lostintranslation and Vindication are leading the way. Mengli Khan is in third place and they’ve 10 to jump ...
Not long now ... The field is down at the start for the first. After two days of betting with varying degrees of success, I finished Day Two a massive total of 62p down across two days of betting. I’m calling that a win, as somebody who rarely if ever backs horses. Today’s going to be the day, though. I can feel it in my bones. Lostintranslation and Real Steel are the ones to be on in this opener, in my humble opinion.
JLT Novice Chase (1.30) betting
- Defi du Seuil – 3/1
- Lostintranslation – 9/2
- Real Steel – 6/1
- Vinddication – 8/1
- Kildisart – 10/1
- Voix De Reve – 11/1
- Pravalunga – 12/1
- Mengli Khan – 16/1
- Capeland – 33/1
- Castafiore – 33/1
- Monitor market moves with Oddschecker
“Defi Du Seuil and Lostintranslation are pretty much the same horse as they keep finishing so close without beating much else, says Oddschecker horse racing shrewdie Sam Eaton. “Both are difficult to back at current prices, therefore I’m opting with Kildisart each-way at 10/1. The seven-year-old has course form, he also won’t mind the ground and has beaten some pretty decent fields of late.”
Preview: JLT Novice Chase (1.30)
The betting market sees this as Defi v Lost, The Decider. Lostintranslation won the Dipper here in January, when he outstayed Defi Du Seuil, but the places were reversed at Sandown last month when Defi’s finishing burst was used a bit later and to better effect. Whether Barry Geraghty can turn that trick again, back at Cheltenham and in a much hotter race, is a really big question. Real Steel is a progressive novice for Willie Mullins, who was won this three times in the past four years. He hasn’t run in Graded company over fences but he wasn’t far off top-class as a novice hurdler. Mullins also has Voix Du Reve, to be ridden by Ruby Walsh, and Pravalaguna, a progressive mare who gets a handy weight allowance.
Today's non-runners
- 4.10: No10 Ballyhill and No20 Romain de Senam
- 5.30: Out Sam
Preview: Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase (5.30)
Here’s a favourite that’s surely going to drift a bit. Measureofmydreams hasn’t won for three years and, while he may recover his old form now that he’s with Gordon Elliott, this hasn’t been a brilliant week so far for following Elliott handicappers. He made several mistakes in big-field races a couple of years ago and I’d expect to see him clout one here. Any Second Now also looks a bit high in the betting, considering he’s 0/9 over fences, although he has some quality form.
It’s All Guesswork ran a super-eyecatching race when sixth in a Pertemps qualifier last time and he looks progressive over fences, albeit not quick. Rogue Angel is an Irish National winner from years gone by who is interesting for this second spin around Cheltenham, having gone well for a long way in the four-miler years ago. The Young Master has been having a good season and returns from a break with his stable in form. He could do with the ground drying out. Kilfilum Cross is interesting, having won his handicap debut on his first start for Henry Oliver. He’s a big beast with more to offer.
Preview: Dawn Run Mares' Novice Hurdle (4.50)
It feels slightly odd to not just be backing an odds-on shot from Willie Mullins’s yard in this, but no such horse is available for the first time in the four-year history of this contest. Nicky Henderson has suggested that Epatante represents his best chance of a winner this week, which looks like good information, now that he’s already had three winners. She gets 5lbs from the other obvious one, Posh Trish, four times a winner for Paul Nicholls this term. From Ireland comes Sinoria, a half-sister to Minella Rocco who seems to be going the right way. Mullins fields My Sister Sarah, who has something to prove on the bare form.
Preview: Brown Advisory Plate Handicap Chase (4.10)
Nicky Henderson has the favourite in Janika, a good second in both his starts since arriving from France. However, this one is now 11lbs higher in the ratings than when he got here and he hasn’t actually won anything yet. Henderson also put in a good word recently for River Wylde, last seen suffering a nasty fall at Haydock in November, when the fences were too stiff. He was third in the Supreme a couple of years ago.
Siruh Du Lac is unbeaten in three this season and beat Janika by a head here in January. Spiritofthegames ran fifth in a handicap hurdle at the last Festival and has made a good transition to fences, running third to Kildisart here in January. Azzerti, a late and unlucky faller in that race, was going well at the time and may get involved if he’s allowed a smidgen more room.
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Preview: Stayers Hurdle (3.30)
This could be the heartwarming story of the week, if Paisley Park can win for the popular trainer Emma Lavelle and his owner Andrew Gemmell, blind since birth and a regular attendee at Festivals since the early 70s. But Paisley Park will have to be truly outstanding to do it, having been vigorously campaigned since October. Faugheen “The Machine” is the old man of the party these days, trying to win at the Festival for the first time since his Champion Hurdle four years ago. In view of his horrible fall behind Apple’s Jade in December, maybe we should just be glad that he’s here at all.
Supasundae won a handicap here two years ago and chased home Penhill in this race last year. Since Penhill is sidelined, what’s to stop Supasundae going one better? Kilbricken Storm won last year’s Albert Bartlett and now returns to hurdles, having failed over fences. His stable could be in better form. Sam Spinner and Yanworth had the necessary ability at one time but their recent form undermines hope.
Preview: Ryanair Chase (2.50)
A funny sort of race, this, which has attracted quite a strong field by offering a refuge for those fleeing other races. Footpad, evading the mighty Altior, has had his hind shoes whipped off him after he kept cutting into himself and would be a big player if recovering the form of his Arkle win last year. Monalee was no match for Presenting Percy last year or for Kemboy at Christmas, but perhaps he can be the best at this intermediate distance.
Road To Respect and Frodon are others who have ducked the Gold Cup and both have enough class to get involved, though this is the end of a busy, productive season for Frodon and he tends to be losing his form by this stage. Un De Sceaux is the specialist Ryanair runner among the leading contenders but he’s also the oldest at the age of 11 and needs to turn around last year’s form with Balko Des Flos.
Preview: Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle (2.10)
How interesting to see the market plumping firmly for a horse who hasn’t won since he was based in France three years ago. This must be one of those tricky handicaps! Sire Du Berlais attracted attention by staying on well from the back to be sixth in the Leopardstown qualifier and the fitting of cheekpieces may help him to make a more timely effort here. Not Many Left is another interesting Irish raider and he clearly had something in hand when winning the Huntingdon qualifier. But the stable jockey, Robbie Power, prefers Walk To Freedom, who was a few places ahead of Sire Du Berlais at Leopardstown. Samburu Shujaa appears the most likely of the home defence in light of his Chepstow win three weeks ago, though he looked a bit ponderous.
Preview: JLT Novice Chase (1.30)
The betting market sees this as Defi v Lost, The Decider. Lostintranslation won the Dipper here in January, when he outstayed Defi Du Seuil, but the places were reversed at Sandown last month when Defi’s finishing burst was used a bit later and to better effect. Whether Barry Geraghty can turn that trick again, back at Cheltenham and in a much hotter race, is a really big question. Real Steel is a progressive novice for Willie Mullins, who was won this three times in the past four years. He hasn’t run in Graded company over fences but he wasn’t far off top-class as a novice hurdler. Mullins also has Voix Du Reve, to be ridden by Ruby Walsh, and Pravalaguna, a progressive mare who gets a handy weight allowance.
Top jockeys after day two
- Nico De Boinville 2
- Mark Walsh 2
- Jamie Codd 2
- JJ Slevin 1
- Paul Townend 1
- Harry Cobden 1
- Rachael Blackmore 1
- Keith Donoghue 1
- Ruby Walsh 1
- Jerry McGrath 1
- Harry Skelton 1
Jamie Codd is having some career for an amateur jockey and this is now the third Festival at which he’s had two winners. Mark Walsh, who came here with just one previous Festival winner, is now favourite to be top jockey for the week. Some big names have yet to hit the board, including Barry Geraghty (two seconds), Richard Johnson (second, third, fourth and fifth from six rides so far), Jack Kennedy and Davy Russell.
Top jockey betting: Mark Walsh (7-2), Nico de Boinville (9-2), Ruby Walsh (5-1), Harry Cobden (8-1), Paul Townend (8-1), Rachael Blackmore (14-1), Barry Geraghty (20-1), Davy Russell (20-1), Jack Kennedy (25-1).
Before you study the form, catch up on all yesterday’s news and features here – plus tips for today’s races:
Top trainers after day two
- Nicky Henderson 3 wins
- Willie Mullins 2
- Gordon Elliott 2
- Joseph O’Brien 1
- Paul Nicholls 1
- Ben Pauling 1
- Martin Brassil 1
- Henry de Bromhead 1
- Gavin Cromwell 1
- Dan Skelton 1
- Ireland 8 Britain 6
The riches are being spread a bit more evenly this time, with 10 winning trainers on the list rather than seven at the same stage a year ago. Henderson’s Wednesday double has got him back to the top of the all-time list, where he sits alongside Mullins on 63, and he is now the third different favourite we’ve had to be top trainer here.
Gordon Elliott said his horses haven’t been running up to par but his two winners is a fair return in the sport’s most competitive week, even if it took 24 runners to achieve them. Mullins’s string may seem in better form but he hasn’t added to his tally since winning the first two races on Tuesday; his Blue Sari and Wicklow Brave went heartbreakingly close yesterday.
Top trainer betting: Nicky Henderson 7-4 Willie Mullins, 2-1 Gordon Elliott, 5-2 Paul Nicholls 16-1, Joseph O’Brien, 50-1 Henry de Bromhead.
Today's races and our tips
- 1.30 JLT Novice Chase Real Steel (nap) 7-1
- 2.10 Pertemps Handicap Hurdle Sire Du Berlais 11-2
- 2.50 Ryanair Chase Footpad 4-1
- 3.30 Stayers Hurdle Supasundae 8-1
- 4.10 Brown Advisory Plate Handicap Chase Azzerti (nb) 16-1
- 4.50 Mares Novice Hurdle Sinoria 8-1
- 5.30 Kim Muir Handicap Chase Kilfilum Cross 16-1
It’s been fun, getting half the winners over the first two days, but I feel like things are about to slow down, with none of these shorter than 4-1. Still, another five winners for Ireland sounds plausible, including two for that nice Mr Willie Mullins. It’s always good to have previous Festival winners on your side, and Footpad and Supasundae fit that bill in the two main races. Interestingly, the two biggest-priced horses on this list are also the only two trained in England …
National debt: Tiger Roll’s fourth success on Wednesday in the Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival will certainly prove to be one of the most popular of the week and he’s becoming a public horse, such that he seems sure to go off a hot favourite when he bids to win the Grand National for the second year running next month.
“Following his win yesterday, Tiger Roll’s odds for winning the Grand National has been slashed to 5-1, as he’s quickly become the nations favourite. Straight after his win, bookmakers saw a flurry of bets on Tiger Roll winning the Grand National, as he’s now tipped to become the next Red Rum,” said a spokesperson for bookmakers.tv.
Betfair Cheltenham Festival tipping competition
Congratulations to Affirmed, who won Wednesday’s competition on a final score of +28.36, having picked William Henry, Topofthegame and Altior. That was tough luck on cerises, who had the first two but went with Saint Calvados instead of the Champion Chase winner. Affirmed, we’ll be in touch with you by email about your prize towards the end of the week.
You could win a £100 account credit from Betfair by proving your tipping prowess on today’s races. All you have to do is give us your selections for all of today’s races at Cheltenham. As ever, our champion will be the tipster who returns the best profit to notional stakes of £1 at starting price on each tip. Non-runners count as losers.
Please post all your tips in a single posting, using the comment facility below, before the first race at 1.30pm.
There are seven races at Cheltenham today and you must post a single selection for each race. Our usual terms and conditions, which you can read here , will apply, except that this will be a strictly one-day thing. If we get a tie after all the races have been run, the winner will be the one who posted their tips earliest out of those with the highest score.
If an entrant has to repost their selections because of a non-runner, we will use the time of their later posting for tiebreak purposes. If you don’t win today, don’t despair. You’ll have one more shot at our Cheltenham competition tomorrow (Friday).
Our racing correspondent sets the scene
There is no doubt about the headline match-up on the third day of Cheltenham as far as the punters’ hearts are concerned.
In one corner in the Stayers’ Hurdle is Paisley Park, whose small-time owner, Andrew Gemmell, has been blind from birth, developed a love of racing and sport from radio commentaries as a child and has backed his horse at 33-1. In the other: Faugheen, a Festival hero without doubt thanks to his brilliant win in the 2015 Champion Hurdle but also one whose owner, Rich Ricci, is decidedly unpopular in the betting fraternity at present thanks to his links with the defunct bookie BetBright.
No one, of course, wishes any ill on the horse, and plenty will be backing him as a solid second-favourite. But at the same time, if Faugheen comes up short, it will ease at least some of the hurt of backing a loser if Paisley Park is the one to beat him.
If Faugheen does win, meanwhile, the acclaim you hear afterwards will be for the horse and his trainer, Willie Mullins, who will have pulled off another minor miracle with an injury-plagued runner whose best days have looked to be behind him several times in the past. The response if Ricci is called up to the podium, on the other hand, could well be muted, to say the least.
Paisley Park will also go off at a backable price, as was the case with Tiger Roll in yesterday’s Cross Country. Both Tiger Roll and Altior, who went in at 4-11 in the Champion Chase, were rightly acclaimed by the crowd but the greatest warmth, or so it seemed to me at least, was reserved for Tiger Roll, possibly because many racegoers had just doubled their money having decided that Altior was too short to support with the kind of money that would make it worthwhile.
It was a blustery but dry day at Cheltenham on Wednesday and the going on the New course, which takes over for the next two days, is officially good-to-soft, soft in places. There is rain about, though, and updates on whether it arrives, and how much, will be available here throughout the day.
Chris Cook’s tips for the day are here, and the action gets underway at 1.30 with the JLT Novice Chase.
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