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13.20 – Chantry House (EW)
ITV coverage from Day 3 at Cheltenham gets under way with the Grade 1 Marsh Novices’ Chase over 2m4f. Many believe Envoi Allen just has to turn up here and they may well be right.
However, I’m going to have a few quid on CHANTRY HOUSE each-way. He’s won five from seven in his career and was a fine third behind Shishkin in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle of 2020. Connections were a little disappointed that day, but he still ran a good enough race. In three chase runs, Chantry House has won at Ascot and Wetherby with a bad run at Cheltenham in between. The drying ground will help and he must have place claims for Nico de Boinville and Nicky Henderson.
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13.55 – Southfield Harvest (EW)
Now it’s a handicap hurdle over 3m in the Pertemps Network Final. SOUTHFIELD HARVEST has only run a couple of times over three miles and they are his best efforts in a light career. His third at Newbury last time was a fine effort and cheekpieces have now been applied which might help him in the closing stages when push comes to shove. An eac-hway selection for Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden.
14.30 – Min
Back to Grade 1 company with the Ryanair Chase over an extended 2m4f. Forgive MIN his last run and he’d be a lot shorter in the betting. The defending champion is easily the form choice on his success last year when he had Saint Calvados, A Plus Tard and Frodon beaten off.
He returned this term in fine style at Punchestown (albeit in the fog!), but then jumped terribly and was pulled up when last seen. I’m told he’s back bouncing at home and even though he’s 10 there is nothing to suggest he’s beyond his best. Min loves Cheltenham and should run huge for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend.
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15.05 – Paisley Park
The big one of the day. The fabulously-sponsored Grade 1 Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle over 3m. With Thyme Hill out, this really is a great opportunity for PAISLEY PARK to regain his crown for Aidan Coleman and Emma Lavelle. The former hero was right back to his best last time, when not getting the run of the race but still coming home strongly to score at Ascot.
This is not a strong division, and I really struggle to look beyond him, although last year’s surprise winner Lisnagar Oscar is not a bad each-way shout if you don’t want to go in short.
15.40 – Mister Whitaker (EW)
Back to handicap company here with the Grade 3 Paddy Power Plate Handicap Chase over an extended 2m4f. This is wide open. MISTER WHITAKER is 2lb lower in the handicap than when third behind Simply the Betts last season. He’s not been in as good form this term, but his first effort was over 3m and he wasn’t so bad last time at Warwick. I’ll be having a few quid on each-way for Jonathan Burke and Mick Channon.
16.15 – Roseys Hollow (EW)
A slight drop in class next with a Grade 2 mares’ novices’ hurdle over 2m1f, and this is a very hard race to sort out. ROSEYS HOLLOW was super tough when going clear to land a Grade 3 at Fairyhouse last time and if she copes with these better conditions should could run a huge one for Jonathan Sweeney and Mark Walsh. The JP McManus runner looks to be improving all the time and should have each-way claims at the very least.
16.50 – Shantou Flyer (EW)
And finally the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase over 3m2f. At the age of 11 you would think SHANTOU FLYER was a bit old for this but he has a great Cheltenham record and he could at the least hit the frame for Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden. My hope has been in consistent form for a long time, and was third behind It Came to Pass in the Foxhunter this time last year. Decent odds so back him each-way.
So best of luck and pray for Yeeehaaas. You hear me Paddy?
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at the time of publication but subject to change
Matt Chapman’s Cheltenham bet summary – Thursday, March 18
13.20 – Chantry House (EW)
13.55 – Southfield Harvest (EW)
14.30 – Min
15.05 – Paisley Park
15.40 – Mister Whitaker (EW)
16.15 – Roseys Hollow (EW)
16.50 – Shantou Flyer (EW)
*Paddy will be all over your telly box throughout the Cheltenham Festival sponsoring ITV’s live coverage from Prestbury Park – and you can get free and exclusive tipping columns EVERY DAY from Ruby Walsh, Matt Chapman and Mick Fitzgerald here on PP News.
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