*Paddy Power is now Non Runner Money Back for the 2025 Cheltenham Festival. That means that if your selection does not line up in the race you back it in for any reason – you will now get your stake back. TC’s apply.
As the clock counts down in the build up for the 2025 Cheltenham Festival, Matt Chapman‘s back with his picks across seven bumper races on Day Three.
You can check out Paddy’s full list of options across all markets on Cheltenham betting as the action gets underway.
Matt Chapman’s Cheltenham Day Three tips
13:20 Sixandahalf
14:00 Jagwar
14:40 Monmiral
15:20 Spillanes Tower (each-way)
16:00 Home By The Lee (each-way)
16:40 Springwell Bay
17:20 Midnight Our Fred (each-way)
13.20 Sixandahalf
Day 3 of Cheltenham 2025 gets underway with the Grade 2 Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle over 2m1f. SIXANDAHALF should take some beating here for Gavin Cromwell. A decent handicapper on the Flat with experience, she was third in the Irish Cesarewitch off a mark of 88.
Sixandahalf is unbeaten over hurdles with a staying-on success at Fairyhouse, and while she lacks experience, she could just be far too good for the field.
14.00 Jagwar
Now another new race in the Grade 2 Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase over an extended 2m4f.
JAGWAR is edging up the weights but has obvious claims here as an improver for Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero. This trip is ideal, and he kept on well to score at the track last time for which he’s up 7lb. He looks a good jumper and scored in a big field at Bangor back in November so should be able to cope with the hustle and bustle.
14.40 Monmiral
A big betting race in the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle over 3m. MONMIRAL is up to 149, having landed the prize off 138 last year, so it’s not going to be easy at all.
However, he actually comes into this in much better form than 2024, and decent ground will not be an issue. He might just run well once again with conditions ideal and he’ll be long odds. I like horses who return for races like this as not many are suited to the test. A good run against Gowel Road last time means he’s up in the weights but he’s talented and on his best form is not weighted out of it. Paul Nicholls trains.
15.20 Spillanes Tower (each-way)
The Grade 1 Ryanair Chase over an extended two miles and four furlongs. The ground might be too fast for Protektorat, and I’ll chance a return to form for SPILLANES TOWER, who won at Punchestown on a yielding surface.
His second in the John Durkan was a fine effort, but of course, he then flopped in the King George. Strong each-way claims at his best for Jimmy Mangan. If he doesn’t go then it will be the defending champion Protektorat for me who hacked up at Windsor last time. I’ll just have to hope for a bit of juice in the ground.
16.00 Home By The Lee (each-way)
This is just huge. The Grade 1 Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle over 3m. Teahupoo has an obvious chance, but HOME BY THE LEE is better than ever this season, and even though he is 10, I’ll back him each-way for Joseph O’Brien. The selection scored well at Navan and Leopardstown on his last two starts and was a decent third in this contest last year.
16.40 Springwell Bay
Now the Trustatrader Plate Handicap Chase over an extended 2m4f. This looks made for SPRINGWELL BAY, who has always had a bit of class about him.
The selection scored nicely at the track last time when rated 145, and while he’s up to 154, he might have a little more to come. He ran in Grade 1 company at Aintree as a novice hurdler and wasn’t disgraced. A chance for Jonjo & AJ O’Neill with the NRNB, as has other entries.
17.20 Midnight Our Fred (each-way)
Day 3 closes with the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup over 3m2f. MIDNIGHT OUR FRED stays well and is improving at the age of eight, so could be in the mix for the Johnny Flavin yard. He was second in a big field at Leopardstown and was also a decent runner-up here in April. A mark of 132 is tough but he’s got each-way credentials.
So best of luck, and pray for Yeeehaaas. You hear me, Paddy?
Matt Chapman’s Cheltenham Day Three tips
13:20 Sixandahalf
14:00 Jagwar
14:40 Monmiral
15:20 Spillanes Tower (each-way)
16:00 Home By The Lee (each-way)
16:40 Springwell Bay
17:20 Midnight Our Fred (each-way)
*Paddy Power is now Non Runner Money Back for the 2025 Cheltenham Festival. That means that if your selection does not line up in the race you back it in for any reason – you will now get your stake back. TC’s apply.
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