Tips for Cheltenham Day 3 - Gordon Elliott could have a big say with 12/1 shot

1.30pm Turners Novices' Chase - This is a race the British trainers think they can keep on their side of the Irish Sea with Grey Dawning and Ginny's Destiny at the head of the market. I wouldn't be so sure and I'm with FACILE VEGA (11/4) for the Willie Mullins machine. He's been in and out of form but has class and has shown glimpses of brilliance. He won his first start over fences easily but was then beaten by Il Etait Temps and Found A Fifty. They gave the form a nice boost on Tuesday behind Gaelic Warrior. I think Facile Vega will improve for the extra couple of furlongs in trip and can prevail here. It is a very competitive race all the same. 

2.10pm - Pertemps Handicap Hurdle - I don't often go for the top weight in these races but FAROUK D'ALENE (16/1) is worth an eachway bet. Gordon Elliott has a good record in this race and does have the favourite too in the shape of Cleatus Poelaw. Nevertheless, a seven-pound claimer on our lad's back brings him back into contention and he won't mind the ground. In a good betting heat, he is certainly capable of running into the frame and possibly winning this.

2.50pm - Ryanair Chase - I'm a big ENVOI ALLEN (9/2) fan and I'm sticking with him. He won this race last year and is a three-time Cheltenham Festival winner. This is a good renewal of this race and you could make a decent case for half a dozen of them but Envoi Allen has had a better prep for the race this year than he did last year when he beat Shishkin. He looked tough in the finish and he may have to be again to fend off some of these rivals. He was just a neck behind Gerri Colombe at Down Royal in November and only two horses have beaten that rival over fences, one of them being Gold Cup champion Galopin Des Champs. 

3.30pm - Stayers Hurdle - This race can throw up mad results with a 33/1 winner last year and a 50/1 winner in 2020. Teahupoo is sold in this market as he was second (beaten favourite) last year and has won at Fairyhouse on his sole start this season. I can't be backing him at 7/4 in a race like this and I'd much rather an eachway bet and hope for one of those mad results. ASTERION FORLONGE (50/1) might appear like a no hoper here but he's got some decent form over hurdles. He was second to Klassical Dream at last year's Punchestown festival with the winner and runner-up (Sire Du Berlais and Teahupoo) in this race last year both behind him. He was second behind Irish Point last time out, albeit beaten 11 lengths. If that horse was lining up here, he'd be close to the favourite in the market so that's good enough for me to suggest Asterion Forlonge will give me a run for my money.

4.10pm - Plate Handicap Chase - A lot of tipsters shrewder than me have been tipping up Crebily in this and it's probably reflected in his price. I like an eachway bet in the Plate and a 3/1 shot isn't the answer. I love FRERO BAMBOU (20/1) in this. His form with Shakemup'arry looks good and his Cheltenham form is also rock solid. He was third in the Grand Annual in 2022, he was third here in December and second in January. He was midfield in this race last year but comes in here off a two pound lower mark. He has an eachway chance and will cope with the ground.

4.50pm - Mare's Novices' Hurdle - It's hard to ignore Willie Mullins' mare Jade De Grugy in this given his form this week but I'm with the hype horse from the Gordon Elliott yard in this - BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD (11/8). The Meath trainer has hinted that this horse might be the best he's ever had in training and he has had some good ones and won everything from the Grand National to the Gold Cup. It's hard to go that big on a novice but she has taken the eye of many a good judge in her five runs and five wins to date. She has an average winning distance of almost nine lengths and had 12 to spare on her most recent victory at Navan. She's a star in the making but will have to beat another in the shape of Willie Mullins' Jade De Grugy who has on her two starts to date. 

5.30pm - Kim Muir Handicap Chase - This is very hard to work out but I'll be backing a few of these eachway. CHAVEZ (20/1) has run respectably on a number of occasions this season, albeit over a shorter distance, so could be anything up at this trip. He fell last time out but his form behind Uncle Phil two starts ago is decent. It's just a matter of him staying the extra mile but Patrick Mullins is a top amateur jockey in this sphere so will give him a good spin. I also like WHERE IT ALL BEGAN (12/1) for Gordon Elliott who has a good record in this race. This horse could be much better at this distance and was a 16-length winner in his latest start at this distance and on heavy ground at Punchestown just last month. Barry O'Neill is onboard and that's a huge plus too. 

Thursday Treble: Facile Vega, Envoi Allen and Brighterdaysahead ALL TO WIN - 25/1