Day Three

Thanksforthehelp - runs at Cheltenham Today

It is a big day for the stable today with our best chance of a Festival winner all week running in the Pertemps final handicap hurdle at 2.10pm.  Thanksforthehelp is being ridden for the first time by Mark Walsh who takes over from Kevin Brogan who was on board him when he won at Chepstow last time to qualify for this race.  He was visually very impressive when scoring eased down and the handicapper put him up 11 pounds to a mark of 128 which was enough for him to get in this race.  He is a lovely big horse who we have always liked a lot at home but it took a while for the penny to drop and that was his first win last time when stepped up to three miles for the first time.  He ran very well at Punchestown last year but disappointed on his seasonal reappearance at Wetherby over Christmas.  He had a wind operation after that run and this really seems to have helped him a lot.  I think there is more to come off his new rating, he won't mind conditions and with a bit of luck I hope may win - I am keeping everything crossed!

It is hard to believe we have reached Day Three of the Festival already, there is such a long build up to these four days and then it goes by in a flash!  Energumene was very impressive in winning his second Champion Chase yesterday.  While Edwardstone failed to give his true running, you could not me more impressed by the Willie Mullins trained nine year old.  It was another good day for the Irish and they won another five of the seven races.  I love horses that come back year in year out to the Festival and just run let alone win!  Delta Work won the cross country race for the second year in a row, his third Festival win of his career.  Langer Dan got compensation for finishing runner up to Galopin Des Champs in the Martin Pipe two years ago and unseating early in the same race last by switching to the Coral Cup and winning!  Mr McManus got his first winner of the week winning the Champion Bumper, well in fact he had a one-two in the race, fingers crossed we may get a winner in the green and gold today. Sizing Pottsie was disappointing in the Grand Annual with no specific reason found at this stage.

Looking ahead to today there is once again plenty to look forward to. I think Mighty Potter will win the opening Turners novices chase while my heart would like Shishkin to win the Ryanair.  I think Gordon Elliott could win the Stayers hurdle with Teahupoo while Luccia will be hard to beat in the mares novices hurdle.  I haven't a strong view on the other two handicaps, the Plate and the Kim Muir so good luck in all of the races.  Amateur Gearoid Harney was due to have his first Festival ride in the Kim Muir but unfortunately for him it is a non-runner.

Away from Cheltenham there is also jumping action at Hexham and meetings on the all-weather at Southwell, Chelmsford and Dundalk.  If you are heading to Cheltenham be prepared for a bit of rain and have a good day while if you are watching from home, get comfortable and enjoy all the action!