Not a bad day yesterday in betting terms and another winning preview for the website as Mikael D’Haguenet did the business in good style under Ruby Walsh. He’s a horse with very solid form in the book and should develop into a classy chaser next year. In my haste leaving for work I forgot to add an each-way pointer about Some Present, although at 33-1 I’m sure those of you backed it went each-way, he ran a mighty race in defeat but let’s face it, the winner Dunguib was an easy and facile winner – he looks a top class prospect for next year.

Today holds the third day of the Cheltenham Festival meeting and I have to say this looks one of the hardest festival cards I’ve encountered. Only two real races scream out as betting opportunities and the remainder are all trappy handicaps where one of many can potentially win, we’ll see though.

The first race on the card is the Jewson Novices Handicap Chase (1:30) and has some smart recruits challenging for this prize. Words are out in force for Northern Alliance but trainer Tony Martin has yet to train a winner in 2009 and the stable form is lacking in earnest. That doesn’t mean he can’t land a touch with this one though, and has been trained with this in mind. One that does interest me is Exmoor Ranger, and providing he brushes up his jumping ahead of this run he has the potential to go very close, stamina laden and doesn’t mind the surface he’s a smart sort and unexposed off his current mark, Christian Williams knows him well. Quws Law if returning to form could run a race at a price (66-1) and is worth looking at for a small each-way interest. Finally Tranquil Sea has to be respected for Edward O’Grady after making an impressive debut he’s since struggled, but the better ground here could be the key. If you are playing this race, PaddyPower are paying out on 1-2-3-4-5 (1/4 ODDS) OPEN AN ACCOUNT NOW!

Next on the list is the Pertemps Final (2:05) and yet another hard race to find the winner of. Solid words doing the round for the Jonjo O’Neill trained Synchronised and the stable could hardly be in better form at the festival. The Sliotar was fancied when last seen at Cheltenham but failed to run his usual race, and could return to form under Danny Cook taking the 5lbs off. However the one that catches my eye, and probably for sentimental reasons is Blue Shark. Returned from a long layoff with injury at Sandown in December and despite being well supported in the market dropped away tamely after running fresh. Next time he was still cruising when hampered by the fall of another runner, and last time failed to fire. Cheltenham is a track that will suit this horse, and off a mark of 130 is dangerous for this smart horse. Dominic Elsworth takes the ride and holds a 19% strike-rate riding hurdlers for owner Trevor Hemmings, I’ve had an each-way bet on this at 25-1.

Third up the Ryanair Chase (2:40) and a race that is really at the mercy of classy recruit Voy Por Ustedes for trainer Alan King. Once quick enough to winner a Champion Chase, Voy Por Ustedes ran with credit in both the Betfair Chase and King George so will have no problems staying this sort of trip. Our Vic winner of this race last year is back at his ideal distance, and can put a lacklustre performance behind him shown on his return at Kempton last time, Timmy Murphy gets on well with the son of Old Vic, and it’d be great to see him go close again after backing him last year. Tidal Bay has gone here after swerving the Queen Mother, but quite if he gets this trip in top company is still uncertain in my view, memory of his Arkle victory is still fresh in the memory and if reproducing that effort will go very close. Imperial Commander looked good in the Paddy Power and has been lightly campaigned since; a return to Cheltenham will be suited to this horse and both Monet’s Garden and Gwanako have to be given a mention. I’m going to give Imperial Commander another chance over a distance that will suit and now that the Twiston Davies team have returned to form he can bounce back into the winners’ enclosure.

Next the World Hurdle (3:20) and this should be pretty much straight forward for Kasbah Bliss, and the classy French recruit can show that impressive turn of foot to settle this in a matter of strides, my preview on that can be read here.

The Freddie Williams Festival Plate (4:00) is next on the card, and Ferdy Murphy’s Three Mirrors can be expected to go close, trip and ground in favour and is decently weighted to collect. PaddyPower are paying out on 1-2-3-4-5 (1/4 ODDS) OPEN AN ACCOUNT NOW!

1:30 – Exmoor Ranger
2:05 – Blue Shark (EW)
2:40 – Imperial Commander (EW)
3:20 – Kasbah Bliss (NAP)
4:00 – Three Mirrors (EW)

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