‘She’s going to be very hard to beat’ - Day three confirmations for the Cheltenham Festival

We’re at an exciting stage of the season now and the Cheltenham Festival is just around the corner. Confirmations for the first two days have provided plenty of talking points over the last couple of days and it’s Day Three’s time to take centre stage.

The highlights of Day Three will be the Ryanair Chase and the Stayers’ Hurdle but all seven races are not to be missed.

Let’s take a look at some of the key discussion points, including the potential competition for rock-solid favourite Fact To File in the Ryanair Chase.

Mares' Novices' Hurdle

Bambino Fever won the Champion Bumper at this meeting last year and she looked very special when winning a maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse last time out. She’s going to be very hard to beat, especially if Oldschool Outlaw stays at home and doesn’t make the trip.

Future stayers tend to do better in this race than out-and-out two-milers, which makes Henry de Bromhead’s Echoing Silence very interesting.

Jack Richards Novices' Limited Handicap Chase

There are plenty of interesting angles from which to look at this race and it’s very easy to make the case for Scilly Isles winner Sixmilebridge. Henry de Bromhead has Koktail Divin and Slade Steel and both have cracking chances.

Paul Nicholls won this race last year with Caldwell Potter and the talented but frustrating Regent’s Stroll comes into it with a similar profile this time around. Ben Pauling is having a great season so far and Meetmebythesea is very popular in the betting.

Mares' Hurdle

Lossiemouth wins this if she turns up but the Willie Mullins-trained mare is also entered in the Champion Hurdle and the betting suggests she is going for the two-mile race. That leaves Gordon Elliott’s Wodhooh, who is extremely likeable, as the one to beat.

Jade De Grugy is also a very smart mare and is likely to be in the mix once again too. Paul Nolan is a shrewd operator and his runner Feet Of A Dancer has progressed nicely this season. More will be needed but she’s definitely going the right way.

Stayers’ Hurdle

Teahupoo is many people’s idea of a banker and it’s easy to see why. He’s an out-and-out Grade 1 performer over this trip and should be sharper than last year, having run at Leopardstown over Christmas. Defending champion Bob Olinger is also there once again.

It’s interesting that Ballyburn stands his ground, although his inconsistency is an issue. Kabral Du Mathan and Ma Shantou are very interesting British hopefuls, whilst Gordon Elliott’s Honesty Policy cannot be dismissed lightly.

Ryanair Chase

Fact To File will be all the rage in the Ryanair Chase, especially as there might not be many challengers in opposition. Gaelic Warrior and Heart Wood are likely to line up if the betting is anything to go by, although Jonbon is reportedly set to skip Cheltenham.

Romeo Coolio would be of interest but is not likely to run, while the same can be said for Champion Chase-bound Il Etait Temps.

Pertemps Network Final

Dan Skelton is always one to watch in the handicaps and market leader Supremely West looks like a plot job. C’Est Different represents the Sam Thomas yard and he’s been progressing nicely through the course of the season.

Paul Nicholls’ Absolutely Doyen has won all five starts this season and wouldn’t look out of place in the Albert Bartlett, so he should run well in a handicap off 135, while Melbourne Shamrock and Bold Endeavour have been cleverly campaigned.

Kim Muir Challenge Cup

Nicky Henderson’s Jeriko Du Reponet sits at the top of both the weights and the market and he would have a solid chance on the strength of his handicap hurdle form. JP McManus also owns second favourite Waterford Whispers, who has been looked after this season.

Herakles Westwood looks very interesting for Warren Greatrex and last year’s winner Daily Present returns to defend his crown off a 6lb higher mark.