Cheltenham Day 3 Each-way plays for Thursday

Cheltenham 1.20 - La Conquiere

This is a lot more open than the betting suggests and the short-priced favourite, Bambino Fever looks worth taking on with an each-way selection.

The one that appeals most is a mare for Jamie Snowden. La Conquiere went close in a bumper on debut before she was markedly stepped up in grade at Aintree last season, finishing runner-up to a very promising type in the Grade 2 Mares’ Bumper with some of Thursday’s rivals in behind.

She then gained compensation for that narrow defeat on this season’s reappearance, winning a maiden hurdle at Uttoxeter in better style than the winning margin suggested and she improved again when stepped up in class to win a Newbury Listed hurdle in November.

That form has worked out with the runner-up and fifth both winning since and she was only just touched off by a nice prospect in an Ascot Grade 2 in the interim.

That’s amongst the best form on offer and she looks overpriced at around the 16-1 mark.

Cheltenham 2.00 - The Bluesman

The Bluesman looked like a promising sort when trained by Paul Nicholls and he’s gone from strength-to-strength for his new connections so far this season.

His improvement has coincided with a switch to the larger obstacles, making an impressive debut when bolting up at Southwell before he was given too much to do at Leicester.

This seven-year-old took his form to a new level when winning at Haydock subsequently, getting the better of the well-treated Western Zephyr in the process and he gives the impression that there will be even more to come on a stiffer track.

This should also be run at a strong pace with several front runners declared, which ought to help this hold-up performer and 20-1 looks like an attractive price from an each-way perspective.

3.20 Cheltenham - Ballyburn

Teahupoo has been a beaten favourite in two of the last three renewals of the Stayers’ Hurdle and he looks worth taking on again in what could be the deepest renewal he’s faced so far.

One who looks worth chancing at the prices is the 2024 Baring Bingham winner, Ballyburn. He wasn’t at his best over Christmas with a lacklustre display at Leopardstown but many of the yard’s horses weren’t fully firing at that stage of the season and he’s better judged on his previous effort.

That was a close-up second to Teahupoo in the Hatton’s Grace when given too much to do and he looked like an unlucky loser that day.

With a first-time hood a potential benefit given that he can over-race early, he looks overpriced each-way at a double figure price.