The pick of the prices on Day 3 at the Cheltenham Festival....

Wednesday, 13th March 2024

The pick of the prices on Day 3 at the Cheltenham Festival….

Betting advice for this afternoon – Day 2 at the Cheltenham Festival – was distributed yesterday. View it here….

I go out early doors with my advice in the hope of bagging the best of the prices about my race selections….

Sometimes I get the value. Other times it goes the other way – like so much else in racing….

Because I go out early, we are always a little ahead of the game….

The flag hasn’t been raised on Day 2 – and I’m already thinking about Day 3….

…. which means the Pertemps Final, the Plate & the Kim Muir….

• ‘….he could be really dangerous….’

GABBY’S CROSS at the general 11s & 10s is the bet for tomorrow’s Pertemps (2.10)….

It’s certainly not unusual for a horse that’s done plenty of chasing to slip back into the hurdling division and take this prize….

The 9yo’s got some decent form in big-field handicaps over fences at staying trips….

…. and on a hurdling mark of 133….

…. 7lb below his current chase mark….

…. and 11lb below a peak chasing mark set back in January last year….

…. he could be really dangerous on ground that should suit….

He’s had two goes over timber – the last one under tomorrow’s jockey – as prep for tomorrow…..

…. and he was unlucky not to win at Punchestown in November over 3-miles on soft ground….

…. bumping into the extremely well-handicapped Jody Ted….

…. but leaving the rest behind….

He’s not been seen since but I’d say this has been a long-range target….

…. and Henry De Bromhead is pretty good at getting one right for this meeting….

• ‘….he can gain compensation….’

Harry Fry went pretty close with Twig in Yesterday’s Ultima – running a belter on the ‘wrong’ ground….

…. and IN EXCELSIS DEO – up at the general 12s & 11s – can gain compensation for the yard in tomorrow’s Plate (4.10)….

He’s been used sparingly this term – two goes before Christmas and one last month at Sandown….

…. all at the minimum trip….

…. and this extra half-mile could be the variable that enables the 6yo to step forward from his mark of 137….

He ran a cracker on seasonal debut at Cheltenham in October….

…. fairly flying up the hill after meeting interference when one of his opponents fell….

He was solid enough next time on the new course – doing all his best work late on….

At Sandown – in February – he unseated his rider when still very much in contention at the last….

…. having once again shaped like a sterner test will suit….

The bottom line is that he’s a strong candidate to improve for the extra furlongs tomorrow….

…. he’s in the right kind of place in the handicap….

…. and he’s on a lovely racing weight….

• ‘….a big player….’

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN at the general 14s is the bet for the Kim Muir (5.30)….

He was a wide margin winner of the Grand National Trial at Punchestown last time….

…. showing just how much he relishes a proper test of stamina….

He was absolutely dominant at the end – lengthening away and hitting the line hard off his mark of 123….

He’s up 12lb for that – so he hasn’t been missed….

…. but he’s still rated just 135….

…. he’s considered a future Grand National horse….

…. and it’s almost inconceivable that he’s reached the apex of his form curve at this stage of his development….

Gordon Elliott has a fine record in this race and I see this 8yo as a big player tomorrow….

• Finally….

That’s all for today….

I’ll be back tomorrow with my analysis and selections for Day 4 of the Cheltenham Festival….

Meantime – Contact me direct at nick.pullen@oxonpress.co.uk  

And remember – win, lose or draw – enjoy the racing….

Stay tuned….

Against the Crowd