Cheltenham tips: Mick Fitzgerald’s best bets for day 3 of the Festival

We are over the halfway mark of the Festival and Mick is back with all your Thursday picks

*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

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13:20 Marsh Novices’ Chase – Chatham Street Lad (e/w)

We’ve got another superstar to kick the action off in the Marsh Novices’ Chase. This race is all about Envoi Allen as he remains unbeaten and looks a superstar. His price does reflect that and even though he has changed stables, it hasn’t been that long since he did and I wouldn’t be concerned.

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.

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13:55 Pertemps Handicap Hurdle – Storm Arising

This contest looks wide open. The Bosses Oscar was fifth in the Martin Pipe conditionals handicap at last year’s festival, and he has to have a good chance with Jordan Gainford taking 7lbs off his weight.

The one I like is STORM ARISING. He is a bit of a character and this sort of contest will really suit him. He should be a good each-way prospect in a wide-open contest.

14:30 Ryanair Chase – Saint Calvados

Min was the winner of this race last year, but it’s fair to say he does not come into this year‘s contest in the same form as last year. He beat SAINT CALVADOS, but Harry Whittington’s gelding is the value in this contest.

Whittington has had a quiet season, but this would really turn it round. Mister Fisher is one who has promised so much but has not yet delivered what the Seven Barrows team feels he is capable of. However, the drying ground will help him.

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15:05 Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle – Paisley Park

The Paddy Power Stayers Hurdle lost a little of it’s sparkle when Thyme Hill came out, but there is still plenty of opposition to the favourite PAISLEY PARK. Vinndication unseated his rider in the Ladbroke Trophy at Newbury, was second in the Charlie Hall and fourth at last year’s festival carrying a big weight.

He is a really interesting runner and is a very good each-way price if you don’t fancy the favourite. I just feel Paisley Park will be too good for them.

15:40 Paddy Power Plate Handicap Chase – The Shunter

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. he is reasonably well handicapped but they have enlisted the services of 7lb claimer Jordan Gainford to help his chances. Caribbean Boy is fancied by connections but may not be that well handicapped. Happy Diva is interesting as an each-way bet and if The Shunter was not in this, she would be the pick.

Paisley Park

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    16:15 Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle – Hook Up

    We saw Appreciate It win on Tuesday and HOOK UP was not far behind him and Ballyadam – who was second to Appreciate It in the Supreme Novices Hurdle – at Leopardstown in February. She gets the vote ahead of Royal Kahala.

    16.50 Kim Muir Challenge Cup – Mount Ida 

    I like to find an unexposed, well-handicapped, improving chaser who will appreciate a step up in trip  when looking through the field. With that in mind, MOUNT IDA looks to tick all the boxes. She ran really well at Thurles last time behind that good mare Colreevy trained by Willie Mullins in a Grade 2 Chase over 2m 4f. She is a very decent each-way play in at trappy handicap.

    * 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.

    Mick Fitzgerald tips summary:

    13:20 Marsh Novices’ Chase – Chatham Street Lad
    13:55 Pertemps Handicap Hurdle – Storm Arising
    14:30 Ryanair Chase – Saint Calvados
    15:05 Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle – Paisley Park
    15:40 Paddy Power Plate Handicap Chase – The Shunter
    16:15 Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle –  Hook Up
    16:50 Kim Muir Challenge Cup –  Mount Ida

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