Thursday's Tips: Cheltenham Festival Preview

Trainer Gordon Ellliott has been effusive in his praise for two of his contenders on day three of the Cheltenham Festival. He has made no secret of his thoughts that Teahupoo and Brighterdaysahead present excellent winning chances.

Teahupoo, favourite for the Stayers’ Hurdle and a runner up last year has been minded since his superb Grade 1 Hatton’s Grace victory back in December and he arrives at Cheltenham a fresh horse.

Teahupoo will love the ground and is reportedly a stronger and improved horse this season. The change in tactics in the lead up to the race with this smart stayer may eke out the improvement required to land Thursday’s big prize.

The biggest danger to Teahupoo looks to be the improving Crambo. A progressive winner of the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot in December when he outbattled Paisley Park, he has plenty of potential to make a top class stayer.

Noble Yeats added to his glittering career when landing the Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle over course and distance at Prestbury Park on Cheltenham Trials day. Cheekpieces are back on. Former Stayers’ Hurdle winners Flooring Porter and Paisley Park shouldn’t be overlooked.

The opening Turners Novices’ Chase over an extended 2m3f looks a fairly open contest and Facile Vega leads the market for the Willie Mullins team, however he may be vulnerable over the trip of two and a half miles as he isn’t the strongest finisher up the Cheltenham hill.

Ginny’s Destiny for Paul Nicholls is a three-time course winner, having struck twice over today’s distance. He saw off Grey Dawning, who made a mistake when going well, and the two reoppose today.

Last year’s Martin Pipe winner, Iroko, is interesting and is worth consideration, he won at Warwick - an excellent trial track for Cheltenham - in December on chase debut and impressed with his jumping.

A fiercely competitive Pertemps Final follows, with Cleatus Poolaw strong in the betting following his second in a qualifier at Naas last time. He recorded an impressive win prior to that in January and finished second to Ballyburn back in December. Trainer Gordon Elliott has an excellent record in this race and won it with Delta Work in 2018, to whom he has a similar profile.

At an each-way price, Icare Allen, for Willie Mullins, who finished a good third at Aintree in November and was fourth in the 2022 Triumph Hurdle is on the shortlist and could be well handicapped. Cuthbert Dibble and Prairie Dancer are both progressive and on decent marks.

The Ryanair is fascinating with Joseph O’Brien’s, Banbridge, heading the market, however he might be vulnerable on softer ground. On a sound surface he will be tough to beat with the form of his Kempton win working out well.

Envoi Allen who won this last year, is reportedly in fine form at home and he will relish the give in the ground. Conflated, for Gordon Elliott and third in last year’s Gold Cup is also interesting each-way in these conditions.

Trainer Paul Nicholls is sweet on Stage Star who also enjoys a spin around Prestbury Park, while Richard Hobson who saddles Fugitif, is especially keen on his chances at a big price.

Theatre Man can go well in the TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase, his form has worked out and he finished second behind Ginny’s Destiny when staying on well up the Cheltenham hill in January. This excellent jumper would be a popular winner for trainer Richard Bandey.

There has been lots of talk about Crebilly in the build up and he heads the market for Jonjo O’Neill. On a favourable mark, he won on heavy ground last time and the two he beat, have finished second in Grade 2 events. Davy Russell recently stated that Saint Felicien will win whatever race he runs in and this consistent sort is open to improvement.

The Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle picture has changed dramatically this morning with Dysart Enos ruled out due to being lame, however, it still promises to be a cracker. Gordon Elliott has not held back when it comes to his views on Brighterdaysahead describing his mare as the ‘real deal’. She is unbeaten in five starts, including a Grade 3. It would be foolish to rule out Jade De Grugy, who is also unbeaten and highly respected for Willie Mullins.

In the closing Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys' Handicap Chase, Gordon Elliott’s Where It All Began, will relish conditions and won the Punchestown National Trial by an impressive 16 lengths in February. Bowtogreatness was third in the Grade 3 Coral Trophy at Kempton last time and can go well for Ben Pauling.

Last year’s winner Angels Dawn, shouldn’t be ruled out, although she is 11 pounds higher this year. Inothewayurthinkin heads the market and finished a good third to Gaelic Warrior in Limerick, however he lumps top weight.