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⭐ Day 3 NAP – Grey Dawning to win the 13:30 @ 3.25
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1️⃣ Turners Novices’ Chase (13:30)
⭐ Grey Dawning to Win (Day 3 NAP)
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Odds: 3.25
GREY DAWNING is the standout selection in this Grade 1 prize for novice chasers over 2m4f. The Dan Skelton-trained Flemensfirth gelding would arguably have beaten one of the leading fancies for this race, Ginnys Destiny, if not for a shuddering error two out at this track in December. It was to the horse’s immense credit how close he got to the winner that day, keeping on powerfully to the line. A subsequent 14-length success at Warwick, in Grade 2 company, cemented his star potential and he rates a strong contender on form.
🏇 Iroko E/W
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Odds: 7.0
IROKO may not have the experience over fences that his rivals boast, but he cannot be ignored after a superb chase debut victory on soft ground in November. He scooted up that day, indicating the potential he has over fences, following a successful hurdles career, which culminated with a Cheltenham win last season. The J P McManus-owned six-year-old is thoroughly unexposed and should be included in all wagering options.
🏇 Zanahiyr E/W
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Odds: 21.0
ZANAHIYR certainly has the ability to be involved in the place shake-up. The classy hurdler built on a pleasing chase debut with a battling success at Thurles last month. With fair Cheltenham festival form, it would be folly to dismiss his each-way chance at double-figure odds, especially with low mileage over fences.
2️⃣ Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (14:10)
🏇 Chantry House E/W
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Odds: 19.0
CHANTRY HOUSE is undoubtedly well handicapped on the pick of his chase form, as a dual Grade 1 winner over fences. Nursed back from injury, trainer Nicky Henderson, has steadily brought the son of Yeats back over hurdles this term. A fourth at Huntingdon in January got him qualified for this and he looked to have more in the locker in that performance.
🏇 Farouk D’Alene E/W
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Odds: 13.0
Despite being a nine-year-old, FAROUK D’ALENE is unexposed over hurdles and has fair each-way credentials. The Giggingstown House Stud-owned bay took a big step in the right direction after a pair of modest chase runs, when an excellent second behind the reopposing winner, Gaoth Chuil, at Leopardstown. A Grade 2 winner over fences and hurdles, he could be lurking from a lenient handicap mark of 154, considering Rob James takes off a valuable 7lb.
🏇 Gaoth Chuil E/W
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Odds: 7.50
GAOTH CHUIL batted bravely to fend off one of our selections, Farouk D’Alene last time out. She is a progressive mare who has shown improved form all season, including a career-best second at Leopardstown last time, over an extended three-mile trip for the first time. She has the potential to rate higher, especially given her penchant for slow ground, which is expected at Prestbury Park.
3️⃣ Ryanair Chase (14:50)
👑 Stage Star to Win
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Odds: 6.0
STAGE STAR was three from three at Cheltenham, prior to a pulled-up effort on New Year’s Day. He was reportedly stiff and sore and is definitely worth a chance to redeem himself, judged on his previous exploits, including a Grade 1 success here last season. Soft ground would be no hindrance to the Paul Nicholls-trained Fame And Glory gelding, who would hold outstanding claims if back to top form, at a track he relishes.
👑 Envoi Allen to Win
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Odds: 3.75
ENVOI ALLEN must be seriously respected, despite reaching the veteran stage of his career. Kept fresh since a fine second in Grade 1 company at Down Royal, the Cheveley Park Stud-owned bay boasts an envious Cheltenham festival record of three wins from five runs and scored in this race last season. In what doesn’t appear a vintage renewal, he must go close if able to reproduce anything like his best form.
🏇 Hitman E/W
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Odds: 29.0
HITMAN may appear a speculative selection but his second to Envoi Allen in this race last season is strong form. His next three chase efforts were deplorable, but he made huge progress last time, when a fine second behind Gold Cup-bound Shishkin. He travelled smoothly into that contest at Newbury and clearly arrives in the best form since his good effort at this track last year. It would be folly to rule him out for a minor placing at huge odds.
4️⃣ Stayers’ Hurdle (15:30)
👑 Teahupoo to Win
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Odds: 2.75
TEAHUPOO, a close third in this race last season, arrives in excellent form after winning the G1 Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse. It was an excellent victory, considering he dropped to the extended 2m4f trip that day and has shown his best form over three miles. He also has shown top form after a break so being kept fresh for this seasonal target looks a wise move. If the ground is on the soft side of good, it would only help his chance and he appears a stronger horse this campaign.
🏇 Noble Yeats E/W
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Odds: 6.50
NOBLE YEATS bounced back to winning ways with a last-gasp success over Paisley Park in the G1 Cleeve Hurdle over track and trip in January. Last season’s Grand National Handicap Chase fourth is unexposed as a hurdler and has scope to improve further with the addition of first-time cheekpieces. Expect him to arrive late on the scene but be powering home strongly when it matters the most.
🏇 Home By Lee E/W
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Odds: 13.0
HOME BY THE LEE is an each-way chance who has the ability to go close, if on a going day. A leap of faith may be needed by some, after a pair of below-par efforts this term, but it’s the form of last season’s effort in this race that raises optimism. He made a shuddering error entering the final circuit before running on powerfully to the line, only being beaten by three-and-three-quarter-lengths. First-time blinkers could also be a catalyst for improvement.
5️⃣ Plate Handicap Chase (16:10)
👑 Crebilly to Win
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Odds: 4.33
CREBILLY rates an obvious contender for the Plate Handicap Chase, run over the extended 2m4f journey on the new course. The Jonjo O’Neill-trained and J P McManus-owned Soldier Of Fortune gelding showed progressive hurdle form, prior to raising his game further over fences this term. Looking the most likely winner on chase debut before falling, he followed up with a fair fourth on this track in strong company. An excellent handicap chase victory at Exeter subsequently, over 2m4f on deep ground, teed him up beautifully for this assignment.
👑 Theatre Man to Win
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Odds: 5.0
THEATRE MAN has been a model of consistency this season, completing a hat-trick of top-three efforts over fences, culminating in an excellent runner-up position behind Grade 1-bound Ginny’s Destiny at this venue. A rise of 3lb may underestimate his chance here, for a horse who may appreciate softer ground that he encountered last time, which should draw out his copious stamina reserves. Keep him safe for being involved at the business end under ideal conditions.
🏇 Glengouly E/W
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Odds: 13.0
One who appeals at the each-way prices is the Willie Mullins-trained GLENGOULY, following a fine second in the G3 Thyetes Chase at Gowran Park. Prominent throughout, he kept on nicely behind an impressive winner that day, showing his potential in handicap company. In fact, he’s unexposed over fences in handicaps after just two attempts and has scope to improve. His front-running style is ideally suited to this track and it would be no surprise if he ran well here.
6️⃣ Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (16:50)
👑 Brightdaysahead to Win
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Odds: 2.25
BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD has been well supported in the market in recent weeks, indicating the confidence behind the Gordon Elliott-trained Kapgarde mare.
The five-year-old created a favourable impression when scooting clear by 10 lengths on hurdle debut at Thurles last October. She followed up with an authoritative victory in the Grade 3 Feathard Lady Mares Novice Hurdle at Down Royal, despite running green and clearly having scope for progress with more experience. Her subsequent 12 length Listed success at Navan was by far her most convincing win to date, showing pace and jumping fluently, as well and appreciating the rise in trip to 2m5f.
The drop back to 2m1f for Cheltenham shouldn’t inconvenience her, especially with the race run on the new course, which should draw her stamina in to play. Her trainer has emphasised how smart he thinks she is, stating: “she is a proper mare. She’s very, very good and I don’t say that about too many.”
👑 Jade De Grugy to Win
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Odds: 3.0
JADE DE GRUGY is the obvious danger to Brighterdaysahead – undefeated in two hurdle starts, the daughter of Doctor Dino is 2lb inferior to the main selection but has an abundance of potential. She dispatched at Fairyhouse Grade 3 field by an easy six-and-a-half-lengths, displaying a smart turn of foot in the process. She already appears to be a straightforward type, who can be placed anywhere in a race. She deserves to be towards the head of the market and is likely to play a pivotal role in the outcome of the race.
🏇 Golden Ace E/W
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Odds: 13.0
One who could gain an each-way spot is the British-trained GOLDEN ACE. A Graded placer in a National Hunt flat race last season, the Golden Horn mare has been impressive in two novice hurdles at Taunton this campaign. Her jumping has improved with each run and she has earned the right to compete at this top table, despite needing to find more against the Irish protagonists. Her trainer has been complimentary to her in the build up to the festival and she isn’t one to write off at generous odds.
7️⃣ Kim Muir Handicap Chase (17:30)
🏇 Amirite E/W
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Odds: 11.0
AMIRITE has dropped to a kind handicap mark, since being sent off favourite for the Irish Grand National last season. Pulled-up that day, he has since bounced back to form with a pair of fair chase runs, including a staying-on fifth at Leopardstown. Raised in trip here, he appears to have mileage in his handicap mark and is lightly raced for his age. A fourth at this venue in October reads well, considering his saddle slipped, and he has the capability of going close this time around.
🏇 Daily Present E/W
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Odds: 12.0
DAILY PRESENT clearly appreciate the rise in journey on handicap debut at Down Royal, winning with something to spare over three miles. Stamina was his strong suit that day and the extra distance here is likely to play to his strengths, for a horse who is completely unexposed in handicaps. Keep him on side at tasty each-way odds, with the tongue-tie retained after his victory last-time-out, which boosts confidence.
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