*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
The Marsh Novices’ Chase gets action underway on Thursday at the Cheltenham Festival with the 2m4f steeplechase – run over 17 fences on the New Course at Prestbury Park – traditionally showcasing some of the best novice chasers around.
Samcro claimed bragging rights in the Grade 1 contest last year, seeing off Faugheen and pipping Melon in a photo finish, while former winners include Defi du Seuil, Yorkhill and Vautour.
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Envoi Allen heads the market for the 2021 renewal, with the seven-year-old still unbeaten in 11 career runs – including the 2019 Champion Bumper and the 2020 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle.
Remember, you can check out all the day’s runners and riders by taking a look at our snazzy racecards while we’ve also got you covered with top tips from Ruby Walsh, the greatest jockey in Cheltenham history. Don’t forget, you can watch all 28 races at this year’s Festival live on paddypower.com and through the Paddy Power app. We’re also offering a FREE £/€5 bet to use on any of Thursday’s seven races. Woof! Simply click on the banner below to redeem the offer.
Marsh Novices’ Chase runners and odds
CHELTENHAM RACECARDS: DAY 3 RUNNERS AND RIDERS FOR EVERY RACE
Marsh Novices’ Chase tips
Ruby Walsh: “ENVOI ALLEN is unbeaten so far in his bumper, hurdles and chasing career, so what’s going to beat him now? He looks very hard to oppose and is nearly ‘value’ at the price in the non-runner money back market.”
Frank Hickey: “In our antepost book ENVOI ALLEN is by far the worst result and since we’ve gone non-runner money back he is the only one punters want to back. Over 80 per cent of stakes are on him, even though he is a short price. People can’t see what beats him.”
FULL PREVIEW: RUBY WALSH AND FRANK HICKEY REVEAL ANTEPOST PICKS FOR MARSH NOVICES’ CHASE
Mick Fitzgerald: “CHATHAM STREET LAD was so impressive winning a big handicap at the track this season that I can’t ignore him and he’s got an each-way chance in a wide open contest without the short priced favourite.”
FULL PREVIEW: MICK FITZGERALD’S BEST BETS FOR DAY 3 OF THE FESTIVAL
Matt Chapman: “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.”
FULL PREVIEW: MATT CHAPMAN’S BEST BETS FOR DAY 3 OF THE FESTIVAL
Gina Bryce: “A so-called banker before he even jumped a fence in public, ENVOI ALLEN has been the hot favourite for this Grade 1 Novice Chase over the intermediate trip all season and nothing he has done in his three wins over fences since would lead you to doubt him. Although not extravagant in style, he is professional, slick and versatile seemingly taking everything in his stride. They are traits that will no doubt serve him well with the late stable switch to Henry De Bromhead.”
FULL PREVIEW: GINA BRYCE’S BEST BETS FOR DAY 3 OF THE 2021 FESTIVAL
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Marsh Novices’ Chase Trainers’ Verdicts
Willie Mullins, trainer of Asterion Forlonge and Blackbow: “Asterion Forlonge jumped well for Patrick [Mullins] the last day and if Paul [Townend] gets him into a good rhythm, he could be placed behind the hotpot Envoi Allen. Blackbow had a promising enough run last time. He jumped well and hopefully going up in trip will bring about improvement.”
Nicky Henderson, trainer of Chantry House and Fusil Raffles: “We’ve all got a big task against Envoi Allen, but I’m hopeful we can give him some sort of a race. Chantry House was great at Wetherby and he’s been in very good form since. He was really good the first time he was at Cheltenham but the next time he didn’t jump so well, but we’ve solved that problem. Fusil Raffles has been off since Cheltenham [in December] but he’s in great shape. The more it dries out the better.”
Mick Winters, trainer of Chatham Street Lad: “He has thrived since he came over and he’s coming better into this race than he did when he won here in December. Envoi Allen will be hard to beat, but our horse is very comfy and he’ll love the ground.”
Gavin Cromwell, trainer of Darver Star: “Envoi Allen looks almost unbeatable but the ground is going to be very much in our favour and I’m looking forward to stepping Darver Star up in trip. You can put a line through his last run as the ground was too soft for him and my horses weren’t firing at the time. His run before that was a good solid effort. I’m confident we have him in good nick.”
Dan Skelton, trainer of Shan Blue: “I’m looking forward to getting him on some better ground. I’ve been very happy with his preparation and he carries some high-class form through from the winter. We’re very positive and happy. Envoi Allen is a superstar who is going to be hard to be beat, but hopefully we can get into a nice rhythm.”
All the trainers were speaking to our friends at the Racing Post.
When is the Marsh Novices’ Chase?
The Marsh Novices’ Chase is the first race on day three of Cheltenham Festival 2021, on Thursday March 18. The race is scheduled to start at 13.20.
Marsh Novices’ Chase winners at last five festivals
2020 – Samcro (Horse), Davy Russell (Jockey), Gordon Elliott (Trainer)
2019 – Defi du Seuil, Barry Geraghty, Philip Hobbs
2018 – Shattered Love, Jack Kennedy, Gordon Elliott
2017 – Yorkhill, Ruby Walsh, Willie Mullins
2016 – Black Hercules, Ruby Walsh, Willie Mullins
Cheltenham tips: Shishkin, Envoi Allen and Monkfish in our enhanced 9/1 Treble
CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL‘S BIG RACES
March 18 – 13.20 – Marsh Novices’ Chase latest odds and tips
March 18 – 14.30 – Ryanair Chase latest odds and tips
March 18 – 15.05 – Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle latest odds and tips
March 19 – 13.20 – Triumph Hurdle latest odds and tips
March 19 – 14.30 – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Chase latest odds and tips
March 19 – 15.05 – Gold Cup latest odds and tips
March 19 – 16.15 – Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase latest odds and tips
CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL DAY THREE SCHEDULE
13.20 – Marsh Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) 2m 3f 168y
13.55 – Pertemps Network Final (Handicap Hurdle) (Grade 3) 2m 7f 213y
14.30 – Ryanair Chase (Grade 1) 2m 4f 127y
15.05 – Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 7f 213y
15.40 – Paddy Power Plate (Handicap Chase) (Grade 3) 2m 4f 166y
16.15 – Daylesford Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m 179y
16.50 – Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup 3m 2f
*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.
Cheltenham Day 4 Tips
- Mick Fitzgerald’s best bets for Friday at Prestbury Park
- Matt Chapman’s selections for all of Day 4’s seven races
- Gina Bryce’s slick picks on Friday at Cheltenham
- Paddy Power Pundits’ Cheat Sheet for all of Friday’s races
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