The Stayers’ Hurdle and a dramatic battle in the Turners Novices’ Chase took centre stage at the Cheltenham Festival on Thursday.
The action kicked off with a hotly-anticipated showdown between Bob Olinger and Galopin des Champs. The latter was well clear going into the final fence but fell, gifting victory to Bob Olinger.
Gordon Elliott’s well-fancied Sire du Berlais was unable to find third victory in a competitive Pertemps Final, as Third Wind got the better of Alaphilippe by a neck.
The dominant Allaho was the overwhelming favourite for glory once again in the Ryanair Chase and delivered with another dominant display.
Flooring Porter secured back-to-back triumphs for Gavin Cromwell in Thursday’s feature race, making all the running and proving too strong for the likes of Paisley Park and Thyme Hill at the finish.
Cheltenham specialist Coole Cody did it again in the Craft Irish Whiskey Co. Plate, producing an incredibly brave run to triumph at Prestbury Park once more, before Love Envoi took victory in the Mares Novices’ Hurdle for Harry Fry.
Chambard rounded off the day in style, giving Venetia Williams a big-price winner in the Kim Muir Handicap Chase.
Day three race card
1:30pm - Turners Novices’ Chase
1 - Bob Olinger | 2 - Busselton | 3 - El Barra
2:10pm - Pertemps Network Final
1 - Third Wind | 2 - Alaphilippe | 3 - Mill Green | 4 - Winter Fog
2:50pm - Ryanair Chase
1 - Allaho | 2 - Janidil | 3 - Eldorado Allen
3:30pm - Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle
1 - Flooring Porter | 2 - Thyme Hill | 3 - Paisley Park
4:10pm - Craft Irish Whiskey Co. Plate
1 - Coole Cody | 2 - Imperial Alcazar| 3 - Spiritofthegames
4:50pm - Mares Novices’ Hurdle
1 - Love Envoi | 2 - Ahorsewithnoname| 3 - Grangee
5:30pm - Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup
1 - Chambard | 2 - Mister Coffey| 3 - Didero Vallis | 4 - Fakir D’alene
