- Oldschool Outlaw (Mares‘ Novice: Cheltenham, 13.20) – 2pts each-way @ 4/1 (BetfredCoral)
- Ben Solo (Jack Richards: Cheltenham, 14.00) – 1pt each-way @ 33/1 (bet36already advised)
- Wodhooh (Mares’ Hurdle: Cheltenham, 14.40) – 3pts win @ 5/6 (William HillLadbrokes)
- Bob Olinger (Stayers’ Hurdle: Cheltenham, 15.20) – 2pts each-way @ 7/1 (BOYLE Sports)
- Fact To File (Ryanair Chase: Cheltenham, 16.00) – 6pts win @ 8/11 (Bet365Coral)
- Red Dirt Road (Pertemps: Cheltenham, 16.40) – 0.5pts each-way @ 40/1 (Sky Bet) already advised
- Gericault Roque (Kim Muir: Cheltenham, 17.20) – 0.5pts each-way @ 25/1 (BetVictorLadbrokes)
It’s day three and as the Cheltenham Festival moves into its second half, punters and bookies alike will be bracing themselves for round three of their annual tussle.
Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle (13.20, Cheltenham)
There’s little to choose between the top two in the market on betting sites based on what they’ve achieved so far but the second favourite, Oldschool Outlaw is a much bigger price than Bambino Fever, whom she’s already beaten when they met at Naas in December
Gordon Elliott’s six-year-old has done nothing wrong this season and she improved again when winning a Fairyhouse Grade 3 last time. Bambino Fever bounced back to win at Fairyhouse herself next time but strictly on the figures they should be fairly similar prices and I’m taking Oldschool Outlaw each-way.
Of the Brits, La Conquiere looks the most interesting.
Cheltenham tip: Oldschool Outlaw – 2pts each-way @ 9/2Cor
Jack Richards Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (14.00, Cheltenham)
Having previously tipped him at 50/1 for my Cheltenham acca, I still think there may be some value in the 33/1 on offer about Ben Solo in the Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase.
He’s a seven-year-old trained by Rebecca Curtis and is still feeling his way as he tries to establish himself over fences. He’s certainly shown ability, having won one of his four starts over the bigger obstacles, that coming over an extended 2m3f at Chepstow last November.
Both subsequent starts have been over that C&D, finishing a close second next time, which was his best effort yet. He’d looked like bettering that when unseating three out back there again last time, in a race that has worked out well.
His mark remains unchanged on 127 but I’d not be surprised if he ends up being at least a stone better than this. He’s in good hands and his trainer is no stranger to big-priced Festival winners. If you can get a non-runner no bet price about him, I’d encourage you to play him each-way to small stakes.
Cheltenham tips: Ben Solo – 1pt each-way @ 33/1et365
Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle (14.40, Cheltenham)
She’s several pounds clear of the field on official ratings and I think last year’s Martin Pipe winner Wodhooh is still a half decent price at a shade of odds-on with most horse racing betting sites.
She went to Aintree after winning here and succumbed to Lossiemouth but she’s 202 this season, winning an Ascot Grade 2 and a Leopardstown Grade 3. She’ll appreciate the fact that conditions have dried out recently, the trip looks her optimum and on a line through Lossiemouth she’d have the beating of Jade De Grugy, who switches back from chasing for this race.
Cheltenham best bet: Wodhooh (Mares’ Hurdle: Cheltenham, 14.40) – 3pts win @ 8/11Ladbrokes
Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle (15.20, Cheltenham)
Surely it’s only the fact that he’s now an 11-year-old that means Bob Olinger is a 15/2 chance for the staying hurdlers’ championship, as I write this. He’s 4-4 at Cheltenham, three of those wins coming at the Festival.
He goes on any ground that’s good to soft or slower and he just loves coming back here and performing. He’s always gone well when fresh, so with no run since December, he’ll be bursting to get involved and he’s not been out of the first two in his last eight starts, dating back to November 2023.
He looks a cracking each-way bet on betting apps when we have three places to play for.
Cheltenham tips: Bob Olinger – 2pts each-way @ 7/1 (BOYLE Sports)
Ryanair Chase (16.00, Cheltenham)
I’ve done this one to death all season, as you know! I’ve been praying that Willie Mullins would send Fact To File to this race and Gaelic Warrior to the Gold Cup and I’ve got my wish in that respect. I’m not saying that Fact To File can’t win a Gold Cup but I do think he is perfectly suited by this trip at a stiff track and on the more or less any ground.
He has nothing at all to prove in terms of class and really, we just have to hope that he doesn’t run ‘flat’ as was the case in the King George.
I respect Banbridge, who’ll get his ground, while the presence Jonbon makes it that bit more intriguing but I think the favourite should emerge head and shoulders above the rest of this field, if he runs his race.
Cheltenham best bets: Fact To File – 6pts win @ 8/11Coral
Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (16.40, Cheltenham)
I’m prepared to take a chance here on a lightly raced nine-year-old who I’ve already tipped to no avail this season but I’m happy to hold my nerve and suggest a small each-way play on Red Dirt Road.
Regulars may recall that he was my selection at Sandown in January, where he’d won a Grade 3 decisively last year. On this occasion, he led before going out like the proverbial light on ground described as heavy.
He was significantly better than that last time out at Haydock, when he was not without support at a price and was still in there pitching two out, before fading. He’s won on good, soft and heavy, so whatever the conditions are by Thursday, he shouldn’t have any excuses but the thing for me is his mark.
That Sandown win last February came off an official rating of 133. He went up 9lb for it, which may have been part of the problem since but a further 2lb drop since Haydock means the handicapper is giving him a clear chance again off a mark of 134.
Even if he ran to within 5lb or so of that career best, he’s still well treated and if the O’Neill yard his right on the day, he would be very interesting. At 33/1 on Cheltenham betting sites, I think we can take the chance.
Cheltenham best bets: Red Dirt Road – 0.5pts each-way @ 40/1 (Sky Bet)
Rosconn Group Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys' Handicap Chase (17.20, Cheltenham)
Only two of the last ten favourites have won this and I’ll warn you, I’ve not backed the winner in that entire decade. I’m going to go with a sporting selection in Gericault Roque, who was third here in the Ultima in 2022 and went on to be third in Newbury’s Coral Gold Cup later that year.
He was off the track for a long time after that and it’s fair to say he’s been inconsistent in just four starts since returning to the racecourse in January of last year. However, he gave the impression that he was resurgent when second in a premier handicap at Ascot last month and he looks a bit of each-way value here at 25/1, after just a 1lb rise. He’s certainly well treated on old form.
Cheltenham best bet: Gericault Roque – 0.5pts each-way @ 25/1Ladbrokes
Gamble responsibly
Bettors should always gamble responsibly, especially during the Cheltenham Festival, with a number of offers and betting markets widely available.
If you’re planning on having a bet on any race at Cheltenham, you should remember to always stick to a budget and never exceed it.
Never chase your losses. Always remain in control of your time and budget.
Bettors should use responsible gambling tools provided by gambling sites, such as deposit limits, loss limits and self-exclusion among others.
These safer gambling principles should apply whether you are using online bookmakers, slot sites, casino sites, bingo sites, or any other gambling medium.
In the UK, there are a number of gambling addiction charities ready and prepared to help you with counselling, support groups and practical advice on how to help you recover if you do lose control:
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