Robbie Power joins us direct from Cheltenham to give his best bets for Day 3 of the festival.
1.30 Marsh Novices’ Chase
It looks a very competitive Marsh Chase. Reserve Tank is already a Grade 2 winner over fences but his form needs to improve to win a race like this.
He was a dual Grade 1 winner over hurdles last season and we’re just hopeful that like the spring of the year last season, he will come back to his best.
I think your heart and the whole of Cheltenham would love to see Faugheen win another race at the Cheltenham Festival, after winning at the Dublin Racing Festival at the age of 12. The roof would come off Cheltenham.
Best Bets: Faugheen each-way (5/1)
Reserve Tank each-way (11/1)
2.10 Pertemps Network Final
Again, a very competitive Pertemps Network Final. The Storyteller is the eye-catcher. He snuck in here, qualifying in 6th place in Leopardstown earlier in the season.
He was unlucky not be placed and ran a good race in the American Grand National where he was brought down at the last fence.
He’s a Cheltenham Festival winner and for me he would have a very good each-way chance in a very competitive race.
Best bet: The Storyteller each-way (6/1)
2.50 Ryanair Chase
The Ryanair Chase looks a fascinating contest. Duc Des Genievres won the Arkle here last year.
The drying ground wouldn’t be in his favour, the softer the better for him. But he’s still a Cheltenham winner so he has to have a decent chance.
I was very impressed with Min when 2nd to Chacun Pour Soi at the Dublin Racing Festival. He’s hit the crossbar a few times at the Cheltenham Festival but I think this time he can get his head in front.
A Plus Tard is obviously the main danger.
Best bet: Min (5/2)
3.30 Stayers’ Hurdle
The Stayers’ can throw up a surprise but I’d be very surprised if Paisley Park doesn’t retain his crown.
He was very impressive here last year and he’s 2/2 this season. He’s done nothing wrong and he’ll take plenty of beating.
Penhill, a previous winner of this race, is in there as well but at a big price I think Ronald Pump could run in to a place. He was 2nd in a Pertemps qualifier with top weight on his back and he’ll be ridden to run well.
Best bet: Ronald Pump each-way (22/1)
4.10 Brown Advisory Plate
Vision Des Flos is probably his own worst enemy, he has plenty of talent but he’s very free going. If he settles and things go his way then he’d have an each-way chance in a very competitive race.
I’m looking at La Bague Au Roi.
She’s only got 11-4 on her back.
She was 5th in the Irish Gold Cup in Leopardstown in her last start so she’d have to have a big chance.
Best Bet: La Bague Au Roi (12/1)
4.50 Mares' Novices' Hurdle
Another top-class mare in here for Henry de Bromhead in Minella Melody. She was very impressive when she won a very competitive mares' hurdle in Fairyhouse.
My ride, Dolcita, was 3rd on that occasion. She was very impressive when she won her maiden in Tramore. I thought she looked a bit inexperienced that day in Fairyhouse and I think she’ll get a lot closer to Minella Melody this time.
Wherever Minella Melody finishes, I’m hoping Dolcita won’t be far away. She definitely has a good each-way chance but Minella Melody definitely sets a high standard.
Best Bet: Minella Melody (11/4)
5.30 Kim Muir Handicap Chase
Plan Of Attack for Henry de Bromhead will have an each-way chance and Fitzhenry has been unlucky this season. He was 2nd to Chris’s Dream in the Troytown Chase and then was an unlucky loser in the big handicap chase at Leopardstown at Christmas.
There is a big race around the corner for Fitzhenry, Patrick Mullins will be steering him and he definitely has to have a good each-way chance.
Le Breuil has Jamie Codd on board. Jamie has a huge advantage in these amateur races. I think Le Breuil and Fitzhenry against the field in a very competitive handicap.
Best Bet: Le Breuil each-way (7/1)
Fitzhenry each-way (10/1)
Robbie Power’s Cheltenham 2020 Day 3 Picks
*Prices correct at time of publication
1.30 Marsh Novices’ Chase
It looks a very competitive Marsh Chase. Reserve Tank is already a Grade 2 winner over fences but his form needs to improve to win a race like this.
He was a dual Grade 1 winner over hurdles last season and we’re just hopeful that like the spring of the year last season, he will come back to his best.
The drying ground will help him.""
I think your heart and the whole of Cheltenham would love to see Faugheen win another race at the Cheltenham Festival, after winning at the Dublin Racing Festival at the age of 12. The roof would come off Cheltenham.
Best Bets: Faugheen each-way (5/1)
Reserve Tank each-way (11/1)
2.10 Pertemps Network Final
Again, a very competitive Pertemps Network Final. The Storyteller is the eye-catcher. He snuck in here, qualifying in 6th place in Leopardstown earlier in the season.
This race looks like it’s been the plan for him for quite some time. ""
He was unlucky not be placed and ran a good race in the American Grand National where he was brought down at the last fence.
He’s a Cheltenham Festival winner and for me he would have a very good each-way chance in a very competitive race.
Best bet: The Storyteller each-way (6/1)
2.50 Ryanair Chase
The Ryanair Chase looks a fascinating contest. Duc Des Genievres won the Arkle here last year.
The drying ground wouldn’t be in his favour, the softer the better for him. But he’s still a Cheltenham winner so he has to have a decent chance.
I was very impressed with Min when 2nd to Chacun Pour Soi at the Dublin Racing Festival. He’s hit the crossbar a few times at the Cheltenham Festival but I think this time he can get his head in front.
A Plus Tard is obviously the main danger.
Best bet: Min (5/2)
3.30 Stayers’ Hurdle
The Stayers’ can throw up a surprise but I’d be very surprised if Paisley Park doesn’t retain his crown.
He was very impressive here last year and he’s 2/2 this season. He’s done nothing wrong and he’ll take plenty of beating.
Penhill, a previous winner of this race, is in there as well but at a big price I think Ronald Pump could run in to a place. He was 2nd in a Pertemps qualifier with top weight on his back and he’ll be ridden to run well.
Best bet: Ronald Pump each-way (22/1)
4.10 Brown Advisory Plate
Vision Des Flos is probably his own worst enemy, he has plenty of talent but he’s very free going. If he settles and things go his way then he’d have an each-way chance in a very competitive race.
I’m looking at La Bague Au Roi.
I know her Cheltenham form is not wonderful, but she’s dropped down the handicap.""
She’s only got 11-4 on her back.
She was 5th in the Irish Gold Cup in Leopardstown in her last start so she’d have to have a big chance.
Best Bet: La Bague Au Roi (12/1)
4.50 Mares' Novices' Hurdle
Another top-class mare in here for Henry de Bromhead in Minella Melody. She was very impressive when she won a very competitive mares' hurdle in Fairyhouse.
My ride, Dolcita, was 3rd on that occasion. She was very impressive when she won her maiden in Tramore. I thought she looked a bit inexperienced that day in Fairyhouse and I think she’ll get a lot closer to Minella Melody this time.
Wherever Minella Melody finishes, I’m hoping Dolcita won’t be far away. She definitely has a good each-way chance but Minella Melody definitely sets a high standard.
Best Bet: Minella Melody (11/4)
5.30 Kim Muir Handicap Chase
Plan Of Attack for Henry de Bromhead will have an each-way chance and Fitzhenry has been unlucky this season. He was 2nd to Chris’s Dream in the Troytown Chase and then was an unlucky loser in the big handicap chase at Leopardstown at Christmas.
There is a big race around the corner for Fitzhenry, Patrick Mullins will be steering him and he definitely has to have a good each-way chance.
Le Breuil has Jamie Codd on board. Jamie has a huge advantage in these amateur races. I think Le Breuil and Fitzhenry against the field in a very competitive handicap.
Best Bet: Le Breuil each-way (7/1)
Fitzhenry each-way (10/1)
Robbie Power’s Cheltenham 2020 Day 3 Picks
*Prices correct at time of publication