Cheltenham Festival day three: Video highlights, results and reaction as Ireland dominate St Patrick’s Thursday

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Cheltenham Festival: Day Three round-up

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1740: Incredible! Just when you think it's going to be a complete Irish clean sweep on day three of the Festival, Missed Approach grinds out victory for Warren Greatrex in the Kim Muir.

And what a ride from Noel McParlan from the front - the horse just kept finding for him when he asked and although Patrick Mullins loomed up on the well-backed Mall Dini, Missed Approach was as brave as you like on the climb to the line.

RESULT: 5.30 Cheltenham – Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir

1st MISSED APPROACH (8/1)
2nd Mall Dini
3rd Squouateur
4th Will appear here
5th Will appear here

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1712: Click on the image below to place your bets on the lucky last!

1705: Willie Mullins 7-6 Gordon Elliott - just astonishing dominance from the two powerhouse Irish stables.

With that Willie Mullins becomes the winning-most Cheltenham Festival trainer of all time - taking him past Nicky Henderson, who may be able to hit back tomorrow, or even in the last today with Sugar Baron...

1700: Not a brilliant race in any regard but clearly a brilliant winner in Laurina, who has destroyed her rivals by a yawning margin.

Martin Dixon has made a pretty bold statement on Racing UK, suggesting this mare is the best two mile novice around, which might not be unfair on Summerville Boy et al.

RESULT: 4.50 Cheltenham – Trull House Mares' Novices' Hurdle

1st LAURINA (4/7 favourite)
2nd Cap Soleil
3rd Champayne Lady

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1638: Mares' Novices' next. And Willie Mullins has the 1/2 favourite Laurina. This is getting silly isn't it? Best of British if you're having a bet...

1634: Gordon Elliott drew a blank on day one... he's now had six winners and there's a chance he's not finished yet.

Elliott said: "Davy gave the horse a peach. He was my nap of the meeting last year in the Martin Pipe, but he went wrong so it's brilliant. The horse was great. I'm absolutely thrilled."

He went on: "Winning the Gold Cup (with Don Cossack in 2016) was something else, but just to be the position I'm in with the owners I have and the staff I have is unbelievable - this is brilliant.

"We're lucky to have Davy riding for us - it's been a brilliant week for the Irish."

1624: Elliott strikes again! Getting bored? I'm going skint, but plenty of punters are clearly filling their coffers with all these Irish good things.

It's now six all between Mullins and Elliott, with Irish horses winning every race since Altior in the Queen Mother yesterday. Gosh - poor Phil Tufnell must be taking a right kicking in the BetBright Cup banter.

RESULT: 4.10 Cheltenham – Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate Handicap Chase

1st THE STORYTELLER (5/1 favourite)
2nd Splash Of Ginge
3rd King's Odyssey
4th Ballyalton
5th King's Socks

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1600: It's the Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate up next at 4.10 and here's our most popular selections for this tricky looking handicap.

1554: High-class Flat horses don't always thrive as hurdlers but Penhill is definitely an exception to the rule, at least when he's faced a true test of stamina, and we could be seeing him back on the level through the summer.

He started off as a summer jumper as a novice but soon stamped his class last season and that three and a half length defeat of Monalee at last year's Festival obviously looks solid form now.

Sky Bet make him 4/1 favourite to repeat the feat in next year's Stayers'.

1540: Wow - what a training performance from Willie Mullins, last year's Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle hero Penhill defying a 323-day layoff to score under Paul Townend.

He just gets the better of Supasundae, whose stamina might just have ebbed away very late in the piece.

Front-runner Sam Spinner was a sitting duck turning in but ran his heart out, while Wholestone boxed on bravely for third.

RESULT: 3.30 Cheltenham – Sun Bets Stayers' Hurdle

1st PENHILL (12/1)
2nd Supasundae
3rd Wholestone

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1512: The Sun Bets Stayers' Hurdle comes up next and Sam Spinner is rock solid at the head of the betting. He is understandably the most popular selection.

1508: Paddy Brennan says of Cue Card: "At his age the ground may just have caught him out."

I would be inclined to suggest it's age over ground that has resulted in him not being able to cut it at this level, but it'll be interesting too see what the plan is for the rest of the season.

Colin Tizzard has just stated no decision will be made today.

1504: Nick Luck makes a good point on Racing UK (it was ever thus), in praising Paddy Brennan and Paul Townend for not putting their respective charges through the mill when their chance hads gone.

Un De Sceaux made one last bid coming to the last but the game was up for him after the winner cruised by under Davy Russell, who is having an incredible Festival himself.

1458: Gigginstown again, making it three from three on day three, with a first victory in 'their' race - the Ryanair Chase.

And very much a sense of changing of the guard as Cue Card is pulled up and Un De Sceaux brushed aside by the seven-year-old Balko Des Flos.

RESULT: 2.50 Cheltenham – Ryanair Chase

1st BALKO DES FLOS (8/1)
2nd Un De Sceaux
3rd Cloudy Dream

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1448: Here's where our money is going...

Click on the image to place your bets with Sky Bet

1438: A fascinating Ryanair Chase coming up at 2.50 and there could be a call for tissues if Cue Card roars to victory under Paddy Brennan. Win, lose or draw, Cue Card has been a magnificent horse in the eyes of every single National Hunt follower every since bolting up here in the 2010 Champion Bumper.

He produced an unbelievable effort to be second behind Waiting Patiently at Ascot last time and will surely give a good account as he bids for a second Ryanair win of his glittering career.

But Un De Sceaux is another superstar of the chasing game and has over a million quid of career earnings himself, winning 26 of his 20 starts including eight Grade Ones.

'No place for old bones', says a wise man sat next to me here...

If youth is to win out, perhaps Frodon is the one to spoil the party as he returns to the scene of his wide-margin handicap win in January.

1430: So that's 12 winners trained by Elliott, Mullins or Henderson. From 16. It can't be easy being one of the 'small guys' competing out there on the Cheltenham Festival stage these days.

1428: Ben Linfoot's Value Bet column bags a first winner of the week, with Delta work tipped at 12/1. Stunning stuff from Gordon Elliott, making it two from two on the day and five all told after yesterday's treble.

It's a one-two in the Pertemps to boot, with Paul Nicholls' Connetable running a massive race in third as the best of the rest.

RESULT: 2.10 Cheltenham – Pertemps Network Final

1st DELTA WORK (6/1)
2nd Glenloe
3rd Connetable
4th Taj Badalandabad
5th Who Dares Wins
6th A Great View

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1404: Elliott saddles just the two here but he's responsible for favourite Glenloe and interesting (and well-backed) second string Delta Work.

Glenloe is a fascinating horse here. He was the talk of the town before failing to make the cut for last year's Pertemps but he's got in this year. He's a full brother to Alfie Sherrin, who won the Ultima at the Festival a few years back.

1400: Cheers BL - fine (if a little brief) work.

The Irish knew didn't they? Invitation Only drifted like a barge as Shattered Love was pummelled in the betting. Gordon Elliott really could have an extraordinary day today.

1350: It has been an all-too-brief hour in the blog (my colleagues are nodding furiously) but I really must write Friday's Value Bet column for Gold Cup day. Matt Brocklebank is taking over with the Pertemps Final coming up next...

1340: Hard to believe Gordon Elliott didn't have a winner on day one isn't it? That's four for the week now and Shattered Love was a real plunge, going off 4/1 having been twice that price yesterday. She travelled well off a fierce pace set by Bigmartre and Terrefort and, despite a mistake at the last, she finishes her race strongly for a decisive win. Terrefort did well to finish second given he contributed to setting the pace, while Benatar stayed on from a long way back for third. Invitation Only looked beaten even before a bad mistake three out did for him. Finian's Oscar travelled well and loomed up menacingly two out but found very little.

RESULT: 1.30 Cheltenham – JLT Novices' Chase

1st SHATTERED LOVE 4/1
2nd Terrefort 3/1
3rd Benatar 10/1

1327: With the live action almost upon us I'll wrap the last three up quickly.

Kings Socks with his four big white socks has to be respected in the Plate. He has Footpad form in France so could be chucked in off 140 for David Pipe who has won this very race with similar types in Salut Flo and Ballynagour.

However, Last Goodbye and Willie Boy will do for me. For reasons given here.

The Mares' Novice does not appeal as a betting heat but how can you oppose Laurina? Willie Mullins' sourcing and training of mares is astonishing and it's no surprise he's won this race the last two years with Limini and Let's Dance.

Laurina won the Solerina Hurdle easily last time, just as Limini did prior to her Cheltenham win, and the form has been franked by the runner-up Alletrix, Jessie Harrington's mare winning a handicap easily at the Dublin Racing Festival.

And finally we have the Kim Muir. I've not really looked at the Kim Muir. But it wouldn't surprise me if Squouateur finally justified his reputation at the Festival. He was travelling sweetly when coming down in this last year and Jamie Codd takes the reins again. Perhaps redemption awaits.

1318: The Sun Bets Stayers' Hurdle could be the highlight of the day, even if Cue Card does the business in the Ryanair. Can Sam Spinner hold them all off from the front? It would be a tremendous performance if he did as this field us full of potential improvers. The ground does look to have gone against Supasundae but he's a much bigger price now if you think he'll get away with it, while Yanworth and Bacardys are really dangerous rivals here reverting from novice chases. Bacardys, at a double-figure price, remains my selection. I loved that Punchestown run last April where he had three G1 winners in behind. I think he'll love this test this afternoon. It should be yet more compelling viewing. DON'T MISS IT. IT'S ON AT 3.30.

1315: Okay, Ryanair, and I want to take on Un De Sceaux. I just think there are question marks at the price. If he's keen today in this ground over this trip against this opposition he might be in trouble. It's as simple as that. Last year's Ryanair was a poor one on better ground and he got away with running free. I don't think he will today. This looks a deeper renewal. And I think Cue Card could well raise the roof. He looked in pretty good nick behind a superstar in Waiting Patiently last time and a reproduction of that effort could well be enough. I guess the question with him is can he reproduce it after a hard race last time? Let's hope so.

1310: Pertemps next and Delta Work hasn't drifted thankfully. I like him. Samcro form, THAT Limerick Novice Hurdle form (four Festival winners have come from the race in the last decade), eye-catching run in qualifier, runs off Irish mark. There is loads to like. Okay, trainer Gordon Elliott has a more-fancied runner in Glenloe but so what? It didn't stop him winning the Fred Winter with a 33/1 shot. Glenloe is a massive danger, though. A full brother to Fez winner Alfie Sherrin, he'll love this test of stamina today. JP McManus could have a trifecta in this as Sort It Out and Protek Des Flos have solid claims, too. I'll stick with Delta Work, however. Come on Delta.

1308: It says Bigmartre next to my name on that so I better stick with him now. Put up at 16/1 last night in the Value Bet column, he's now 28s. This is embarrassing. I don't think I've ever tipped up one that has drifted quite as much. It's almost got to the point where I don't want him to win as I'll have to admit I tipped him at 16s! Anyway, we know why he's drifting. The ground might not be ideal and he's trained by Harry Whittington, with the big guns against him hailing from Nicky Henderson's, Willie Mullins', Gordon Elliott's and Paul Nicholls'. However, I maintain that this horse's form stacks up with the best of these. I still think he'll love chasing what looks a strong gallop. And I think he could even improve at the trip. As for the ground, he did beat Vintage Clouds on heavy as a novice hurdler. I'm clinging to that. Have I backed him again at 28s? Yes. Will I regret that? Almost certainly, yes. I can see the love for TerreforT, though, and he looks an altogether more sensible selection.

1301: Is there time to spin through the card before the first? Of course there is. And for the opening JLT I believe we have a swanky tips graphic.

1255: Afternoon all, Ben Linfoot taking over the blog for an hour as we head into day three of the 2018 Cheltenham Festival. It's been raining on and off this morning with the sunshine breaking through as well but we know the ground is going to be testing, even on the fresh part of the New Course that hasn't been used since Gold Cup day last year.

It has to be said, though, the softer ground has not put a dampener on the thrilling spectacle this magical venue provides. We've seen some top-class sport this week and some spine-tingling moments from the likes of Footpad, Samcro and Presenting Percy and some compelling action as Buveur D'Air and Altior did the business in the championship races for Nicky Henderson despite, perhaps, not quite being at their best.

Today looks set to be a cracker. We have an interesting JLT, a fascinating Ryanair and an ultra-competitive Sun Bets Stayers' Hurdle. Cue Card or Sam Spinner or both would raise the roof. It could be one of those afternoons.

1215: Latest Market Movers with Sky Bet:

1.30 JLT Novices' Chase (Money back as a free bet if you lose (up to £20 - Ts&Cs apply)

The feature of this race has been the weakness of Invitation Only. Terrefort is now vying for favouritism and the two for each-way support have been for Shattered Love (5/1 from 8s) and Kemboy (10s from 12s). Snow Falcon is a significant non-runner.

2.10 Pertemps Final - Six places with Sky Bet

Two JP McManus runners dominate here. Favourite Glenloe is very strong and 5/1 from 13/2 while the each-way money is for Nicky Henderson's Protek Des Flos (16s from 22s).

2.50 Ryanair Chase - Sky Bet Un De Sceaux Price Boost

Un De Sceaux is 8/11 from 11/10 and continues to be backed. Those looking for a bigger price have turned to Paul Nicholls' Frodon (8s from 10s).

3.30 Sun Bets Stayers' Hurdle - Sky Bet four places

Sam Spinner is another strong market leader and trades at 10/3 from 7/2. L'Ami Serge is 10s from 12s having chased home the favourite in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot.

4.10 Brown Advisory Plate - Sky Bet paying six places

Tully East a significant non-runner and King's Socks (6/1 from 8/1) and The Last Goodbye (17/2 from 11/1) have joined Guitar Pete (16s from 20s) and Splash Of Ginge (28s from 33s) as movers.

4.50 Trull House Stud Mares' Novices' Hurdle

Laurina very solid as the 4/6 market leader and the only one backed against her is Spice Girl (40s from 66s).

5.30 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir - Sky Bet paying six places

Millanisi Boy is 14s from 33s and a significant late mover in here. Aubusson (20/1 from 22s) and Sugar Baron (10/1) also backed - but so is favourite Mall Dini.

1150: The Sam Spinner story really is a remarkable one - and not just due to the amazing progress made by this hurdler, but also the human stories behind it all.

Jedd O'Keeffe's career highlight on the Flat came with Lord Yeats winning a Listed race at Newmarket last summer, but Sam Spinner has taken things to another level this jumps season and there really wouldn't appear to be many negatives over his claims in the Sun Bets Stayers' Hurdle (3.30).

1145: Gordon Elliott plunge alert: Shattered Love has been hammered in the JLT, our opening race due off at 1.30.

The Gigginstown-owned mare has halved in price from around 10/1 and is now a best priced 11/2 (9/2 in places).

It's Money Back as a free bet with Sky Bet in that event today - click on the image below to place your bets.

1137: Another fairly significant non-runner sees last year's Close Brothers winner Tully East miss today's Plate due to the ground.

Davy Russell has been passed fit to ride by the doctor, while Paul Townend has been confirmed as picking up the ride on Kilultagh Vic in tomorrow's Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Yesterday's RSA Chase clearly had significant ramifications on the Gold Cup market, with Presenting Percy - beaten by Our Duke in his prep - bolting up by seven lengths from Grade One winner Monalee.

Our Duke is now pestering Might Bite and Native River right at the top of the market.

Click on the image below for Sky Bet's live Gold Cup market...

1128: It doesn't end there with tips for day three. In fact, we've never been more blessed when it comes to quality tipping talent on these pages and all the previews can be found by clicking the graphic below, including Ben Linfoot's Value Bet, Lydia Hislop's selections and the Irish angle from Donn McClean.

1120: The question on everyone's lips today is what is Ed Chamberlin tipping. Well, ITV Racing's main man has had a brilliant week with his tips so far including Tiger Roll and Mister Whitaker.

Today's he's going for Un De Sceaux, Shattered Love and Pougne Bobbi.

There's an interesting word going round for Pougne Bobbi in the Plate this afternoon and the more you look at him the more he appeals.

Check out Ed's preview by following this link.

1116: How do we feel about scarves in connections' colours? I'm still undecided, though I guess it depends on who is wearing them.

1114: RAINING at Cheltenham. 'Set fair for the day' my...

1105: What a day it could be for Jedd O'Keeffe. Here's our own David Ord and Richard Mann reflecting on the day two highlights and looking forward to today's action.

1058: There's another £50,000 up for grabs in today's ITV7. Though it doesn't look easy today's card.

1055: Some images are just too zoomed in aren't they?

Nico de Boinville, following a lip-smacking victory on Altior in yesterday's Queen Mother Champion Chase, heads to Towcester today for one ride.

With Discretion is the horse and he's the general 11/8 favourite.

1045: Non-runners today include Douvan in the Ryanair Chase after his fall in yesterday's Champion Chase, Apple's Jade in the Stayers' Hurdle, Snow Falcon in the JLT and a bunch of others elsewhere.

Click here for the full list of non-runners.

1042: If you like a spot of Jim McGrath with your breakfast/brunch, tuck in...

1040: Woah, we're half way there! Woah, livin' on a prayer.

Morning all and welcome back to Cheltenham where we're building up to day three of the 2018 Festival, featuring of course the Sun Bets Stayers' Hurdle and the Ryanair Chase.

There was 9mm of rain overnight but they look to have escaped the worst of it so the official going remains Soft, Heavy in places.

It's set fair for a dry afternoon, before the potential for more rain on Gold Cup day tomorrow.

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