Horse race with jockeys jumping over a hurdle

Cheltenham Festival Day Three Tips: Bank on Bob for Stayers’ Success?

Day three of this year’s Cheltenham Festival looks like an absolute cracker with the Ryanair and the Stayers’ Hurdle on the card.

Those Grade 1s are accompanied by the Mares’ Hurdle in which Wodhooh could be hard to beat.

We have picked out selections for all seven races on Thursday’s card including a course specialist that looks set to go well again.

Don’t forget to visit the BetMGM Cheltenham Festival Hub for all the latest odds, offers and tips as well as race day profiles and more.

Cheltenham 13:20 – Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle

This looks like an open renewal and one that makes appeal at the prices is Carrigmoorenaspruce (9/1).

She has improved plenty since she finished behind Bambino Fever last season and was not seen to best effect when runner-up in a Grade 1 last time out.

Selection: Carrigmoorenaspruce @ 9/1

Cheltenham 14:00 – The Golden Miler, Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase

Olly Murphy and Sean Bowen can break their Festival duck with The Bluesman (11/1), who looks a big price.

He is two from three over fences so far and was unlucky to lose his unbeaten record at Leicester on his penultimate start.

This stiffer test will suit and the assessor has taken a chance with his opening mark.

Selection: The Bluesman @ 11/1

Cheltenham 14:40 – Mares’ Hurdle

This small-field contest looks like an excellent opportunity for Wodhooh (4/6 fav) to get another Cheltenham Festival win on the board.

She bolted up at last year’s Festival before chasing home Lossiemouth, who won the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday, in a Grade 1 at Aintree.

Wodhooh has looked like she has retained all her ability in two graded starts this campaign, winning on both occasions, and will be tough to beat on Thursday.

Selection: Wodhooh @ 4/6

Cheltenham 15:20 – Stayers’ Hurdle

Bob Olinger (13/2) has an unblemished record of four from four at Cheltenham and he may be capable of reversing form with his owner-mate, Teahupoo (11/4) from last time out at Leopardstown.

He had too much to do from rear in that contest and this will have been his main target for the season, as is often the case with Henry de Bromhead horses.

Selection: Bob Olinger @ 13/2

Cheltenham 16:00 – Ryanair Chase

Banbridge (11/2) was as good as ever when narrowly denied back-to-back King Georges last time out and with the ground in his favour on Thursday, he looks overpriced in his bid for a first Ryanair.

Good in the going description is the key to the horse and there is a chance his main rival, Fact To File (8/13 fav), could bounce after a big effort in the Irish Gold Cup.

It is hard to see Joseph O’Brien’s 10-year-old finishing out the frame and he looks like the value play in the race.

Selection: Banbridge @ 11/2

Cheltenham 16:40 – Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle

Not many of these look well handicapped and, therefore, it could be a good opportunity for Bold Endeavour (10/1), who has dropped to a dangerous mark, to strike.

He shaped like he retained his ability on his first start since returning to Nicky Henderson’s yard at Huntingdon in January and this has surely been the long-term plan.

Selection: Bold Endeavour @ 10/1

Cheltenham 17:20 – Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys' Handicap Chase

Harry Swan is one of the better amateurs on the jockey circuit and he has a fascinating ride on board King’s Threshold (20/1).

He has been kept away from soft ground since winning at Newbury in December and has been let-off with a 6lb rise for that success.

Selection: King’s Threshold @ 20/1

Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change

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