Megan Nicholls Cheltenham Festival Day 3 Tips – Stayers’ Hurdle, Ryanair Chase & more

BetMGM horse racing ambassador Megan Nicholls is here every day of the Cheltenham Festival bringing her insight and opinion to bear on the biggest week in the sport. On this occasion the former jockey, now an award-winning television pundit, previews the action on the St Patrick’s Thursday at Prestbury Park. As always, all seven races are on her hitlist including the Stayers’ Hurdle and Ryanair Chase. Remember: for the latest odds, specials, profiles, blogs and more visit the BetMGM Cheltenham Festival Hub.

Cheltenham 1.30 – Golden Miller Novices’ Chase

The opening race today is fairly open but I’m going to say it’s between Grey Dawning (5/2 joint fav) and Ginny’s Destiny (7/2).

Ginny’s Destiny has received some pretty brilliant rides from Harry Cobden and he’s been very good round Cheltenham – he just lacks that form up at the very top grade yet. But he’s a progressive horse and he’s done very little wrong.

Grey Dawning was in in behind Ginny’s Destiny when making a bad mistake two out at Cheltenham on his penultimate start but has come back out and won the Novices’ Chase at Warwick since so his form is pretty solid as well.

There’s simply not an awful lot between the two of them. They’re going to be my Forecast but it’s ultimately up to the readers to decide which way round they will finish because I find it really hard to split them.

Both are solid and gone well around Cheltenham – the one thing that is in Ginny’s Destiny’s favour is that his jumping has been immaculate to date and he might just get a few under pressure if he can continue that theme.

Megan’s Selection: Ginny’s Destiny & Grey Dawning Forecast

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Cheltenham 2.10 – Pertemps Handicap Hurdle

Gaoth Chuil (8/1) for Tom Walsh is a pretty tough mare and still improving. She gets ridden with patience which might be the way forward in this race.

She’s had no real test of stamina but she’s going the right way and I love her attitude – Gaoth Chuil’s the winner here for me.

For an each-way shout I’m going Emitom (20/1), who really been revived since joining Alan King. She has been in great form and was tough and impressive when winning the Handicap Hurdle at Newbury last month.

Megan’s Selection: Gaoth Chuil WIN, Emitom EW

Cheltenham 2.50 – Ryanair Chase

I’m hoping my dad can have a good Thursday here with Stage Star (9/2).

He is usually very good around Cheltenham – yes he flopped last time but he wasn’t right afterwards and came back a bit sore.

Stage Star has trained well since and was so impressive when winning the Gold Cup Handicap Chase back in November, especially the way he made a mistake and managed to still pick up and run on up the hill. It was a massive performance.

Defending champion Envoi Allen (4/1 fav) deserves huge respect having bolted up last year but Stage Star’s main danger could just be Protektorat (9/1), who is dropping down in trip.

This could really suit Protektorat. He’s a bold jumper and they’ll be positive on him. Stage Star, thankfully, doesn’t have to lead but he can do it so I think Harry Cobden will be dictated to by what Harry Skelton does a little bit.

Megan’s Selection: Stage Star WIN, Protektorat EW

Cheltenham 3.30 – Stayers’ Hurdle

As an older and stronger horse, stamina won’t be an issue for Teahupoo (7/4 fav) this year.

There were arguments that he was unlucky last year in the Stayers’ but I think he still had the chance to get there if he was good enough on the day.

He’s a fresher horse coming into this one which is a massive plus. He’ll be tricky to beat.

There are a few horses to make an each-way case for and one worth mentioning that could sneak into a place at a bigger price, with blinkers on for the first time, is Home By The Lee (11/1).

Joseph O’Brien’s charge has had to make his own running the last couple of times, he’s been so lazy and just not gone a yard. He won’t have to make the running this time though and he ran a huge race in fifth and wasn’t beaten very far at all despite a mistake that meant almost coming to a standstill in the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown.

If Home By The Lee can get a nice lead he could outrun his odds. My ITV colleague Kevin Blake has been putting him up in lights here, there and everywhere as well and he won’t be far wrong.

Megan’s Selection: Teahupoo WIN, Home By The Lee EW

Cheltenham 4.10 – Festival Plate Handicap Chase

Theatre Man (9/2) has been in great form this season, he stays very well and having Harry Cobden on board will be a positive.

He’s been running very competitively without winning as well so I think he can get his head in front or at least go very close.

My each-way chance is In Excelsis Deo (10/1) who is stepping up in trip.

He wasn’t disgraced here previously when second to Madara in the Handicap Chase in December and we can put a line through that unseat at Sandown last month so hopefully he can put a good jumping round as he’s a very consistent horse.

Megan’s Selection: Theatre Man WIN, In Excelsis Deo EW

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