Experts' Best Bets: Cheltenham Festival Day 3 tips with Enda McElhinney

The penultimate afternoon of the Cheltenham Festival comes along on Thursday, with the Stayers’ Hurdle taking centre stage as Teahupoo defends that crown.

The Ryanair Chase is amongst the supporting events, with lots of tough handicaps to enjoy as well. We’ve got race-by-race tips from the Racing Post’s Enda McElhinney for all the day three action at Cheltenham.

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1.20 – Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2, 2m1f)

Experts’ Best Bet: Sixandahalf at 3/1

Paul Townend partners Aurora Vega, leaving Patrick Mullins to get up on long-time antepost favourite Maughreen. They are respected, while Magic McColgan could go well at a price, but the smart Flat mare Sixandahalf made a really strong impression when scoring at Fairyhouse on her jumping bow in January and there could be plenty more to come from Gavin Cromwell’s challenger.

2.00 – Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2, 2m4½)

Experts’ Best Bet: Es Perfecto at 33/1

Top-weight Springwell Bay is a major player, while Caldwell Potter could feature on handicap bow and Pic Roc is considered for Ben Pauling, but Es Perfecto makes appeal for the Alan King team. He twice made the frame over course and distance as a novice last season and returns off the back of a career-best win at Sandown last month. He’s higher in the ratings now, but could have more to give.

2.40 – Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (3m)

Experts’ Best Bet: Zain Nights at 20/1

Feet Of A Dancer appeals most from those at the front of the market, while Paul Nicholls has a live chance of back-to-back wins in this contest as he saddles Henri The Second, bidding to emulate Monmiral from 12 months ago. The race Zain Nights finished third in over C&D in October was so hot it could burn. Lucy Wadham’s charge prepped for his with a sound fourth at Huntingdon in a qualifier and is nicely-handicapped.

3.20 – Ryanair Chase (Grade 1, 2m4½f)

Experts’ Best Bet: Protektorat at 6/1

Fact To File goes for this race as opposed to the Gold Cup after getting knocked around by Galopin Des Champs over further on home soil. He’s a favourite worth taking on. Last year’s winner Protektorat warmed up by hammering Djelo at Windsor in January and the Skelton’s should anticipate another big run from their 10-year-old, with last year’s second Envoi Allen also underestimated.

4.00 – Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1, 3m)

Experts’ Best Bet: Teahupoo at 6/4

There hasn’t been a lot of confidence in recent days, according to the betting, but Teahupoo won this in good style last year for Gordon Elliott and should repeat the feat now. He likes to be fresh, with his record coming back from 90+ days off reading 11111 prior to finishing second to Lossiemouth in the Hatton’s Grace this season. That was over an inadequate trip and reads much better after her Mares’ Hurdle romp here on Tuesday. He’s the one they all have to beat now.

4.40 – TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase (2m4½f)

Experts’ Best Bet: Personal Ambition at 20/1

Ben Pauling won this last year with Shaken Up’arry and while he’s back to try again, it could be his stablemate Personal Ambition that steals his thunder. He’s 0-4 since going chasing but has mixed it in some fairly decent company along the way and he might well have won at Ascot in December bar a mistake late in the race. There’s more to come in first-time cheekpieces.

5.20 – Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap (3m2f)

Experts’ Best Bet: Sa Majeste at 8/1

There’s a stamina question to answer but that aside Sa Majeste comes here with excellent claims for Willie and Patrick Mullins. He didn’t find the Coral Cup to his liking here last year but can be forgiven that. He’s making good strides since going chasing, with two wins in four attempts and a mark of 142 for this handicap bow could be within his range if his stamina holds out.

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