*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
It's Day 3 of the #CheltenhamFestival, and we've got best bets from a host of judges… pic.twitter.com/nbOoiUbdJt
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) March 18, 2021
CHELTENHAM TODAY:
- All your Festival best bets are in one place with our handy widget
- Thursday’s racecards: Click here for your Cheltenham Day 3 runners and riders
13:20 – Envoi Allen
A two-time winner at the Cheltenham Festival, landing the Champion Bumper in 2019 and the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle last year, Envoi Allen has made a hugely satisfactory start to life over fences, winning each of his three races over the larger obstacles without breaking sweat. He is unbeaten in his 11 outings under Rules and remains a top-class prospect with more still to give. He is impossible to oppose here.
13:55 – Imperial Alcazar
A winner of a novice at Leicester on his final outing of last season, Imperial Alcazar shaped as if in need of the run on his return to action in November, finishing down the field after 10 months off, but he got back on the up when landing the odds at Warwick in January, looking well ahead of his mark as he pulled clear to win with plenty in hand. He was eased down near the finish on that occasion, and despite an 8 lb rise, he still looks well handicapped.
14:30 – Allaho
After shaping really well to finish third in last year’s RSA Chase, Allaho disappointed in his first two outings of this season, running below form in the John Durkan at Punchestown and the Savills Chase at Leopardstown in December. He got right back on song dropped in trip in the Kinloch Brae at Thurles last time though, putting up a high-class effort to readily land the odds, running the majority of his rivals ragged and still having enough in the tank to see off the runner-up. He remains unexposed over this trip and has a good record at the Cheltenham Festival – placing at the last two – so he gets the vote in what is a very open-looking Grade 1.
15:05 – Paisley Park
After seeing his winning run come to an end in this race last year, Paisley Park deserves plenty of credit for returning this season as good as, if not better than ever, and this looks a good opportunity for him to regain his Stayers’ Hurdle crown. Paisley Park came up short against Thyme Hill in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury in November, but he looked to be carrying a little more condition that his rival that day, and he duly turned the tables on Thyme Hill in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot the following month, rallying well to find plenty to lead late on. He is still the leading light in this division and is likely to take all the beating.
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15:40 – Farclas
A winner of the Triumph Hurdle in 2018, Farclas scored on his first three starts over fences last season, and he has run well in some red-hot handicaps in Ireland this season, notably when fourth at Leopardstown last month, shaping well and still looking on a good mark. Farclas, who is still a relative younger, has taken to big-field handicap chases well and a big effort looks forthcoming.
16:15 – Roseys Hollow
Roseys Hollow showed improved form to get off the mark over hurdles at the third attempt at Fairyhouse in January, winning with more in hand than the bare margin would imply, and she coped fine with the step up in grade when landing the Grade 3 Solerina back at the same venue last month. Roseys Hollow travelled typically well, jumped fluently and, after edging ahead two out, she asserted on the flat to see off Royal Kahala. She appears to have plenty about her physically and is likely to progress further, so she gets the vote to land this year’s renewal of the Dawn Run.
16:50 – Mount Ida
A winner in both bumper and hurdle disciplines, Mount Ida has made an encouraging start to life over fences, opening her account over the larger obstacles at the second attempt in a Grade 3 at Cork in December, finishing off well having come off the bridle before the other principles. She was no match for Colreevy in a Grade 2 at Thurles subsequently, but she shaped as though still in good form, and this switch to a handicap, as well as the extra distance, should show her to better advantage.
Timeform’s Cheltenham Festival bet summary – Thursday, March 18
13:20 – Envoi Allen
13:55 – Imperial Alcazar
14:30 – Allaho
15:05 – Paisley Park
15:40 – Farclas
16:15 – Roseys Hollow
16:50 – Mount Ida
*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
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
*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.
Read More on Cheltenham 2021
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- Cheltenham Festival: Timeform’s 6 highest-rated runners at Prestbury Park
- Cheltenham tips: 6 favourites worth following at the 2021 festival
- Cheltenham tips: Mick Fitzgerald’s 5 to thrive in 2021
- Cheltenham tips: Championship races cheat sheet for the Festival
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