*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
Here at Paddy Power we have added the Festival Plate Handicap Chase to our portfolio of Cheltenham sponsorships ahead of the 2021 festival.
The Grade 3 contest run over 2m4f on the New Course joins both the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle and the Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase in our stable of Prestbury Park races this year.
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The Paddy Power Plate will follow immediately after the iconic Stayers’ Hurdle – which is the feature race on Thursday afternoon – and a total of 17 fences will be jumped by the field, consisting of horses aged five years and older.
Like most races at Cheltenham, the Paddy Power Plate has a host of entries but 23 runners will line up at the post. Remember, Paddy Power are offering a FREE £/€5 bet on any of Thursday’s races. Simply click on the banner below to redeem the offer.
Paddy Power Plate runners and odds
CHELTENHAM RACECARDS: DAY 3 RUNNERS AND RIDERS FOR EVERY RACE
PADDY POWER PLATE RUNNER-BY-RUNNER GUIDE
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Paddy Power Plate tips
Ruby Walsh: “FILS D’OUDAIRIES won at Navan in December, placed second to Envoi Allen at Punchestown but he didn’t stay behind Monkfish in Grade 1 company last month. He runs off 145, with a weight of 10st 9lb and is a strong traveller. The trip and pace of the race will suit him.”
FULL PREVIEW: PADDY POWER PLATE ANTEPOST BEST BETS FROM RUBY WALSH
Gina Bryce: “The quality of this race continues to rise year-on-year with Simply The Betts’ success last year off a mark of 147 matching that of The Storyteller’s in 2018 as the two top-rated winners of this contest. FILS D’OUDAIRIES caught my eye as one who may follow suit for trainer Joseph O’Brien.”
FULL PREVIEW: GINA BRYCE’S BEST BETS FOR DAY 3 OF THE 2021 FESTIVAL
Matt Chapman: “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.”
FULL PREVIEW: MATT CHAPMAN’S BEST BETS FOR DAY 3 OF THE FESTIVAL
Mick Fitzgerald: “THE SHUNTER is going for the £100,000 bonus after winning at Kelso and following up at the Festival. While he is an inexperienced chaser, he has some big handicap form to his name at the Dublin Racing Festival.”
FULL PREVIEW: MICK FITZGERALD’S BEST BETS FOR DAY 3 OF THE FESTIVAL
Paddy Power Plate Trainers’ Verdicts
Jack Channon, assistant to his father Mick, trainer of Mister Whitaker: “He was third in the race last year and is very much a spring horse. He loves running here and we’re hoping for another big run.”
Joseph O’Brien, trainer of Assemble, Fils D’Oudairies and A Wave Of The Sea: “A Wave Of The Sea won well at Leopardstown last time and has come out of it nicely. Assemble needs to sort out his jumping. He has schooled very well of late, though. The drop in class will suit him so hopefully he can run a respectable race. Fils D’Oudairies has been running well all year. Experience is the question mark hanging over him, but we’re still hoping for a good run.”
Dan Skelton, trainer of Oldgrangewood: “He always runs well at Cheltenham, but he’s had no look this year and nothing has gone his way. Hopefully that will change and I’m really happy with his form.”
Denise Foster, trainer of Farclas: “He’s come back to form really well this season. He’s put together a series of very good runs in quality handicaps and a repeat of those entitles him to be thereabouts.”
Venetia Williams, trainer of Laskalin: “He’s a horse we bought quite recently and this will be his first start in David and Carol Shaw’s colours. I don’t think drying conditions are all that helpful.”
Jeremy Scott, trainer of Champagne Court: “He’s slipped down the handicap a little bit and does seem to run quite well at Cheltenham. It would be a bit of a leap of faith on what he’s done this season but this is his time of the year and and I think he will love the ground. He’s got an each-way chance.”
All the trainers were speaking to our friends at the Racing Post.
When is the Paddy Power Plate?
The Paddy Power Plate takes place on day three of Cheltenham Festival 2021, on Thursday March 18. The race is scheduled to start at 15.40.
Paddy Power Plate winners at last five festivals
2020 – Simply The Betts (Horse), Gavin Sheehan (Jockey), Harry Whittington (Trainer)
2019 – Siruh Du Lac, Lizzie Kelly, Nick Williams
2018 – The Storyteller, Davy Russell, Gordon Elliott
2017 – Road To Respect, Bryan Cooper, Noel Meade
2016 – Empire Of Dirt, Bryan Cooper, Colm Murphy
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
Read More on Cheltenham 2021
- Cheltenham Festival dates, race times and antepost picks from our experts
- Cheltenham Festival: Are fans allowed to attend?
- Cheltenham Festival Fast Results from Prestbury Park
- Cheltenham tips: Our Pundits’ Cheat Sheet for Thursday’s races
- Cheltenham tips: 6 favourites worth following at the 2021 Festival
- Cheltenham tips: Mick Fitzgerald’s 5 to thrive in 2021
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