Taking aim at the Cheltenham Festival - Day 3....

Wednesday, 12th March 2025

Taking aim at the Cheltenham Festival - Day 3….

In ATC today….

…. I swing the bat on Day 3 at the Cheltenham Festival….

I’m on KARL DES TOURELLES in the 2.40 – he’s up at 18s & 16s ….

…. I’m on AN PEANN DEARG at 14s & 12s in the 4.40….

…. and I’m on MUSIC OF TARA at 20s, 18s & 16s in the 5.20….

That’s the summary….

…. you’ll find all my reasoning below – as per usual….

Oh…. and if you’re looking for the standout place terms on offer – you’ll find them in the Bet Box below…. 

Read on….

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The Irish have a solid recent record in the Pertemps Final (2.40) – winning seven of the last nine renewals….

…. and I fancy Philip Fenton’s KARL DES TOURELLES to add to that tally tomorrow….

He’s only 5 – he’s the youngest runner in the field….

…. but he’s a serious tool in the making….

…. and despite giving weight to all but one of his opponents tomorrow he looks very fairly treated on a mark of 139….

He was only 4 when he stepped up to 3-miles for the first time in a qualifier for this final at Punchestown in November….

…. he found one to good but I reckon he would have won had he not raced so wide on the home turn….

The advantage was very much with the horse who beat him – he slid up the inside rail….

…. but Karl Des Tourelles finishing effort was notable….

…. he was gaining on the winner all the while – whilst putting distance between himself and the pack….

He handles a big field…

…. he could well improve for a sounder surface than he’s yet to encounter in Ireland….

…. and he’s clearly been held back for this – with Brian Hayes back in the saddle for the assignment….

This is a step-up – no doubt….

…. but I think he’s a good horse in the making – and the 18s & 16s are fair odds….

AN PEANN DEARG at the general 14s & 12s is my pick for the Plate at 4.40….

He turns out having won his last two races at – both handicaps – at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting and at the Dublin racing Festival….

Both victories were produced over 2-miles and I like the step-up in trip tomorrow….

…. which will suit if how he hit the line last time is any evidence to go on….

His trainer Paul Nolan had talked about the Grand Annual – which the 8yo would have got into….

…. but in this race I think they’ve picked the weaker option – with quite a few exposed horses lining up….

He’s up 12lb for that last victory and will need to improve again….

…. but he’s earned his rise….

…. he gives the impression there’s more to come….

…. and, like I say, I reckon he’ll improve again for the longer trip….

Johnnywho looks like a plot in the Kim Muir (5.20) and – if I’m right – he could prove hard to beat….

…. but you can’t be scared of one horse and I’m going with MUSIC OF TARA who represents a decent e/w shout at 20s, 18s & 16s….

She’s not been with Gordon Elliott long but she’s produced two decent performance for him….

…. one over hurdles and the other over fences – both at intermediate trips….

The step-up in trip tomorrow is seen as a negative in some quarters – fair enough….

…. but she’s been finishing her recent races off strong – getting outpaced last time over 2m6f on heavy ground….

…. and I’m mindful that when previous trainer Henry De Bromhead stepped her up in trip over hurdles he did so in the most valuable race she contested for him….

…. I think he must have thought the extra yardage would improve her….

We never found out because she was brought down that day….

…. but I take the view it’s worth having another crack at the staying trip tomorrow….

De Bromhead was of the view that she needed decent ground – which she’ll get….

…. and he also held the view – expressed as recently as last April – that she would make a better chaser than hurdler….

I don’t think he was talking about just two pounds better….

…. so given that she’s rated 130 over hurdles and runs off 132 over fences tomorrow….

…. I reckon she could be well-treated….

…. and her rider has more experience than most in these amateur races….

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Now, just to recap….

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That’s all for today….

I’ll be back tomorrow with my picks for Day 4 at 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