Megan Nicholls in front of the MGM Grand

Megan Nicholls Racing Preview: Cheltenham Festival Day Three Tips

THURSDAY RACING TIPS

Cheltenham 1.20 – Mares Novices’ Hurdle

I’m taking on Bambino Fever (11/10f) with Oldschool Outlaw (5/1) who managed to beat her on Bambino Fever’s hurdling debut.

Oldschool Outlaw is three from three since joining Gordon Elliott, and easily won a Grade 3 last time out. It’s different ground this time and she's untried on it but I still give her a pretty decent chance.

She typically has jumped very well and tends to travel well too. I was impressed with her at Fairyhouse last time and I’m sticking with her here to give Gordon his first winner of this year’s festival.

Megan’s Tip: Oldschool Outlaw WIN

Cheltenham 2.00 – Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase

I was really torn here, Regent’s Stroll (6/1) is a horse that frustrates me because he’s very talented.

He may prove me wrong and we know what Caldwell Potter did last year but his quirks do concern me..

A big each-way shout is King Alexander (28/1) who’s likely to go forward. He’s a strong traveller and an improving horse – traits you need in this type of race.

Danny Mullins is in the saddle, and we saw him win off the front end earlier in the week. This horse has run well on quicker ground as well as heavy, so is versatile in that regard.

Megan’s Tip: King Alexander EW

Cheltenham 2.40 – Mares’ Hurdle

Wodhooh (5/6 Fav) is nine from 10 over hurdles and has only been beaten by Lossiemouth. She’s going to be a short price but I do think she’ll be very hard to beat.

Jade De Grugy (9/4) looks the one to likely be the pacemaker here, but Wodhooh just seems versatile.

She can hit a flat spot but she tends to run on well, and she sees the trip up no problem.

Megan’s Tip: Wodhooh

Cheltenham 3.20 – Stayers’ Hurdle

I went back and forth on this race and I’ve finally come down on Ma Shantou (11/2), who really impressed me last time in the Cleeve Hurdle – that is a race that typically bodes very well in terms of this contest.

He fairly bolted up that day and he seems to be improving with every run. He’s only been beaten once this year, which was too bad to be true at Haydock, and other than that, he has an impeccable record.

He does have a bit more to find on official ratings but he is rapidly going in the right direction, beating a Grade 1 winner already this season in Impose Toi (7/1) last time – I thought that this was really solid form.

Megan’s Tip: Ma Shantou WIN

Cheltenham 4.00 – Ryanair Chase

I’ve gone Fact To File (EVSf), who was right back to his best last time at Leopardstown in the Irish Gold Cup. The step back down in trip is no issue and he was devastating in this race 12 months ago.

I was a bit disappointed with him in the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day, but we know how good he is when he’s on song and while he doesn’t always back up a good run with another one, he’s the one to beat.

Megan’s Tip: Fact To File WIN

Cheltenham 4.40 – Pertemps Final

I’ve sided with C’est Different (7/1) here.

He’s lightly raced and is four from four in handicaps. He’s up another 10lbs for his latest win but managed to sneak into this race and is still nicely weighted.

He has been pretty impressive in his starts this season and looks to be improving, especially since up to this trip.

My each-way selection is going to be Absolutely Doyen (10/1), who is another massively improved horse.

I don’t know how much is left in terms of improvement off his handicap mark as he’s gone up a massive 22lbs for his five wins this season.

He is very consistent and there could easily still be more improvement to come.

Megan’s Tip: C’est Different WIN; Absolutely Doyen EW

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Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation

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