12/1 DIAMOND WINNER: SHAMROCK landed a shiny 12/1 WINNER with DIAMOND KING (recommended win and place) in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham yesterday. Now for Thursday.
A very Happy St Patrick’s Day to you all.
Time to get down to business on day three.
1:30 JLT Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) (Registered As The Golden Miller Novices’ Chase) (5yo+, Class 1, 2m 3f 198y, 9 runners)
Willie Mullins in the opener. It’s worked for the first two days and could well again today but the question is which one? Both Black Hercules and Outlander are at similar odds on the BETDAQ market and splitting them is hard. The good news is we don’t need to as backing them both for equal stakes still reaps a healthy reward.
If pressed I’d probably go with Outlander who has proven form at Grade 1 level and it remains to be seen if Black Hercules has any adverse effects from his last fence fall at Navan last time out.
2:10 Pertemps Network Final (Listed Handicap Hurdle) (5yo+, Class 1, 2m 7f 213y, 24 runners)
Not a race the Irish have a good recent record in. The top weight Taglietelle is of interest win and place. He should get a lot closer to Cup Final than he did at Musselburgh on 7lb revised terms.
2:50 Ryanair Chase (Grade 1) (Registered As The Festival Trophy Chase) (5yo+, Class 1, 2m 4f 166y, 15 runners)
There’s been so much rumour on twitter this morning about the well-being of Vautour that I’m not sure where I stand anymore. He was controversially taken out of the Gold Cup but the move looks a wise one as I think this is more his trip.
However, IF the ‘90% fit’ rumours are true I’d want to give him a wide berth as you don’t win Grade 1’s being short of your best. On the form book 2.06 looks a cracking bet all things being equal but I’m switching to the Mullins other runner Valseur Lido on the place market.
3:30 Ryanair World Hurdle (Grade 1) (4yo+, Class 1, 2m 7f 213y, 12 runners)
Alpha Des Obeaux looks a solid win and place alternative option in a race where the home trained Thistlecrack looks to have solid credentials. Alpha Des Obeaux has solid form at the top level and there was a lot to like about his 11 length win in the Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park last time out.
4:10 Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate (Grade 3 Handicap Chase) (5yo+, Class 1, 2m 4f 166y, 22 runners)
This looks tough but Ballycasey has an easier task than he has faced of late and may reward support in the place market.
4:50 Trull House Stud Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle) (4yo+, Class 1, 2m 179y, 17 runners)
A new race for the Festival but Willie Mullins and mares’ races go hand in hand and Limini should maintain her unbeaten record. She made a winning debut at Punchhestown and then handled the step-up in class well at Fairyhouse last time out when winning a Grade 3 with ease. She is my day three nap.
5:30 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (Amateur Riders) (5yo+, Class 2, 3m 2f, 22 runners)
Cause Of Causes’s won the Toby Balding National Hunt Chase last year after coming into the race on the back of a couple of disappointing runs and it’s the case again this year. He’s only beaten one horse home in his last two starts but a better run can be expected this afternoon.
SHAMROCK’S BETS:
1.30 OUTLANDER and BLACK HERCULES (WIN – back for equal stakes)
2.10 TAGLIETELLE (WIN AND PLACE)
2.50 VALSEUR LIDO (PLACE)
3.30 ALPHA DES OBEAUX (WIN AND PLACE)
4.10 BALLYCASEY (PLACE)
4.50 LIMINI (NAP)
5.30 CAUSE OF CAUSES (WIN AND PLACE)
£25 IN FREE BETS
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