Cheltenham Day Three Betting Tips: Fabulous Frodon to do it again?
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Three fan favourites dominate thecard on Day Three at the Cheltenham Festival, with Faugheen, Frodon and PaisleyPark bidding to make it two golden hours instead of one at Prestbury Park.
Can they allget over the line and bring the house down? We’ve previewed all of the actionin our Cheltenham Day Three Betting Tips.
13:30 – Marsh Novices’ Chase – Faugheen (NB)
Staff at Cheltenham will need to call in the builders if Faugheen wins the Marsh. Why? Because punters will take the roof off the grandstand. This isn’t a sentimental pick, though; our selection has every chance.
The veteranhas excelled since trainer Willie Mullins made the ingenious decision to switchthe 12-year-old to fences after seven years over hurdles, beating some decentrivals in back-to-back Grade 1 successes.
Now he’sback at a track he loves having twice won at the Festival in the last decade.If his jumping holds up, then the Machine has every chance in a race which isn’tlaced with quality.
14:10 – Pertemps Network Final – WelshSaint
For such acompetitive race the Pertemps has a habit of throwing up short price winners.And with that in mind, it’s Welsh Saintwho gets the nod for Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville.
Thesix-year-old displayed his obvious staying qualities when taking a 3m qualifierat Haydock last month. He remains unexposed as a stayer and can continue hisprogression off 4lb higher in a competitive renewal.
14:50 – The Ryanair – Frodon
Frodonand Bryony Frost duly obliged for us 12 months ago. And we reckon one of the bestpairings in all of sport – let alone Horse Racing – has a fantastic chance offollowing that up on St Patrick’s Day this year.
Critics willpoint out Frodon’s form hasn’t been up to scratch this season. But it’s worthnoting his first run of the campaign came with six fences omitted, while fourulcers were detected after his run at Haydock.
Since thenhe’s won the Silviniaco Conti Chase, while those at Ditcheat are reporting thathe’s working well at home. It won’t be easy with A Plus Tard and Min to contendwith, but the omens look good for our pick.
15:30 – Stayers’ Hurdle – Paisley Park, City Island (each-way)
Paisley Park has swept aside all before him overthe last 18 months. It’s difficult to see how that will change as Emma Lavelle’sstar bids to become the first horse since Big Buck’s to land back-to-backStayers’ Hurdles.
With that inmind, it’s City Island who piques ourinterest each-way. The seven-year-old sprung a minor shock to win theBallymore 12 months ago and reverts to sticks after two unsuccessful spins overfences.
He’s hadwind surgery since that last run, and back over obstacles that he showed aparticular aptitude for at the Festival last year, he could be well-placed torun into the places at a nice price.
16:10 – Brown Advisory &Merriebelle Stable Plate – La Bague Au Roi (Lively Longshot)
Beware theGraded performer in Handicap company. LaBague Au Roi hasn’t enjoyed a great season by her own high standards, butshe is a dual Grade 1 winner, which warrants respect in a race like this.
She’ll gooff a handy mark here, and that combined with a reduction in trip should makeher a leading candidate if she can discover anything like the form she wasdisplaying last term.
16:50 – Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle – Minella Melody (NAP)
There’snothing exciting about going for the favourite but it’s hard to look past Minella Melody here.
Thesix-year-old is unbeaten over hurdles and won the Solerina at Fairyhouse lasttime out, which has thrown up two of the last four winners of the Mares Novices’Hurdle, including Laurina and Limini.
She’salready put it up to a number of those who reoppose today, and after recordinga decent figure against the clock the last day, she has obvious claims in this.
17:30 – Kim Muir Challenge Cup – LeBreuil
It’s hard tothink of a horse more ideally suited to a race than Le Breuil and the Kim Muir. The eight-year-old loves nothing morethan a good old-fashioned slog, as he showed last year in winning the NationalHunt Chase.
Ben Paulingwill have campaigned him with this race in mind. And on the same winning mark fromlast season, we reckon he can stick it out over 3m 2f with four-time winner ofthe race Jamie Codd on board.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
