Cheltenham Tips: Paddy Power’s Thursday Cheat Sheet for day three of the Festival

MIGHTY POTTER is probably the best horse but I won’t be surprised if Appreciate It (each-way) turns up and gives him a big fright. It looks a match and I’ll even go for the forecast of Mighty Potter to beat Appreciate It.

Joseph O’Brien’s BANBRIDGE is two from two at Cheltenham. He won the Martin Pipe Conditionals’ H’cap H’dle last year and that form is very solid.

I believe this year’s crop of novice chasers to be a strong group, with Gordon Elliott’s MIGHTY POTTER to be the top of that group. I cannot look past him  to get us off to a flyer.

MIGHTY POTTER bombed out badly in the Supreme last year but he’s proved himself a pretty useful chaser this term. He stays well and ultimately was a ready winner of a Grade 1 at Leopardstown last time.

It’s difficult to get away from MIGHTY POTTER with the only negative being his run at the Festival last year.

I have no opinion here and I’m not going to give you a horse for the sake of giving you a horse. Let’s move on.

The faster they go the better he looks and CAPTAIN MORGS has winning form at the track. He looks a good each-way play.

My idea of the winner is MAXXUM who has progressed into a proper stayer this season. He might have 11st 12lbs to carry but the fact that connections have decided not to claim off him suggests they have confidence in his ability.

It would be great to see the Pipe family back in the big time at Cheltenham and THANKSFORTHEHELP has every chance of doing that. Might be chucked in off 128 after bolting up at Chepstow last time.

SALVADOR ZIGGY may have top weight but he has a decent 7lb claimer easing the burden. He is completely unexposed at three miles  and looks to have solid each-way claims.

It looks like it’s SHISHKIN’S race to lose if he’s back to his best.

I’m a huge SHISHKIN fan. There’s a concern about the ‘bounce’ factor but I think he can under perform and still win the Ryanair Chase.

SHISHKIN let us down last year in the Champion Chase but he had valid excuses. He looked back to near his best at Ascot last time out and the step up in distance will suit.

I’m the biggest fan of Shishkin and expect him to take all the beating. As a wager I’ll be having a bit each-way on FURY ROAD for Gordon Elliott. The nine-year-old is owned by the sponsors.

SHISHKIN bounced back to his best last time at Ascot and should win if repeating that run. French Dynamite could hit the frame at rewarding odds.

A huge day for Davy Russell and the softer the ground the better his chance on TEAHUPOO. I can’t see the ground drying up enough for Home By The Lee.

HOME BY THE LEE certainly looks the safest option in the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle in what is a trappy race. He’s improved in leaps and bounds this season.

My vote goes to TEAHUPOO. His Hatton’s Grace performance was top drawer and he proved that the 3 miles trip wasn’t an issue at Gowran Park last time out. A perfect partner for Davy Russell.

I’ll stick with hat-trick-seeking defending champion FLOORING PORTER. Although beaten twice this season he comes alive at this track

If BLAZING KHAL is 100 per cent fit I fully expect him to take all the beating.

The step up in trip is going to suit Irish raider So Scottish but should suit FRERO BANBOU (each-way) who should also appreciate the ground. 

This looks the perfect opportunity for FRERO BANBOU (each-way) to do just as well as least year when placed in the Grand Annual. Stepping up to 2m 4f shouldn’t be an issue. SO SCOTTISH is the big danger.

SO SCOTTISH was just denied by Boothill at Ascot on his latest run but remains open to further progression for the team that produced The Shunter to win this in 2021.

IL RODOTO has at least an each-way chance for the UK champion trainer Paul Nicholls and jockey Harry Cobden. A mark of 146 is high enough but he won well at Cheltenham last time and the cheekpieces help.

FUGITIF has improved with every start this season. Despite a 6lb rise for his second place to Il Rodoto on Trials day, he’s a decent each-way price.

LOT OF JOY is the win option at the prices but don’t discount Gordon Elliott’s HALKA DU TARBET each-way.

Nico de Boinville was very keen on LUCCIA (nap) running in the Supreme Novices Hurdle and that tells you how good they think she is. The New Course puts less pressure on her jumping which is a slight weakness.

Nicky Henderson and LUCCIA might stop the might of Mullins on this occasion. This mare was considered for the Supreme Novices Hurdle against the geldings but reverts to her own sex.

I’ll be very surprised if LUCCIA doesn’t take all the beating for Nicky Henderson. She hasn’t lost yet and jumped very well at Exeter and Newbury.

LOT OF JOY bumped into two good horses on her first two starts over hurdles. Back against mares again, she could take plenty of stopping.

STUMPTOWN was really good at Sandown and he’ll be hard to beat. He’s my nap of the day. 

Patrick Mullins rides the top weight MR INCREDIBLE who has some really good back-form. This 3m 2f trip looks tailor-made for him.

With the benefit of Barry O’Neill and a workable mark of 135, STUMPTOWN has been my fancy for this race ever since he destroyed a good field at Sandown last month.

BEAUPORT has a huge run in a handicap hurdle at Aintree to his name and has been tackling tough novice company over fences. He will relish this trip and has a fine each-way chance.

BEAUPORT looks very well handicapped here off a mark of 143 and has decent each-way claims.