The stars aligned for us in yesterday's Champion Chase, for which our preview advised:
The tri-cast returned at nearly 12,000/1.
Day three looks set to be the most compelling of the meeting so far, with larger fields and competitive racing throughout, including in the two big championship contests.
TURNERS NOVICES’ CHASE
First up are the novices in what looks to be a top-class renewal of the Turners Novices' Chase.
You could make a case for virtually all 11 runners, with the first four in the market looking to hold particularly strong claims.
We think trip, track and ground will all be ideal for GREY DAWNING, who runs here instead of yesterday’s Browns Advisory. His yard couldn’t be in better form either.
It would be no surprise to see something at bigger odds make the frame at least, and the one we like is COLONEL HARRY.
He’s a big, chasing type who loves soft ground. His only disappointing run so far came on good ground at Sandown last time out and we expect him to bounce back to his best here.
PERTEMPS NETWORK FINAL
The Pertemps Final is up next and as always a huge field is set to go to post.
Few of the 22 runners go into the race in better form than KYNTARA and despite another slight rise in the weights for finishing second to Emitom last time out, he could still be improving and ahead of the handicapper.
Pick of the Irish could prove to be the unexposed CLEATUS POOLAW, whilst MONMIRAL is also interesting now that connections seem to have abandoned his chasing career.
He is a former Grade 1 winner over hurdles and hinted at a return to form at Chepstow last time out. He has blinkers on for the first time today
Chantry House would also have been on the shortlist for an ultra-competitive renewal had his yard been in better form.
RYANAIR CHASE
There’s another mouthwatering battle to look forward to in the Ryanair Chase.
Like the Turners, all of the runners come here with realistic chances including AHOY SENOR, Conflated and Protektorat, all of whom ran in last year’s Gold Cup.
Of the trio, AHOY SENOR seems to have been underestimated by the bookies as he comes alive in the spring. If his jumping holds up he could be hard to pass.
FUGITIF comes into the race with a totally different sort of profile, as he has mainly plied his trade in handicaps so far.
He was upped to a Grade 1 contest here last time out and ran really well considering that contest was only over 2 miles. He loves it here and could prove the each way value.
Notably, Bet365 are offering 4 places on this race.
STAYERS’ HURDLE
The Stayers' Hurdle is often a tricky puzzle to solve, but this year we are going to keep things simple and rely on the favourite, TEAHUPOO.
He was third last year, but comes into this year’s race much fresher and that change in his preparation can pay dividends.
The ground has also come right for him and he can improve past old warriors like Paisley Park and Sire Du Berlais.
His biggest rival may prove to be the former National winner, NOBLE YEATS, who seems to be really enjoying the switch back to hurdling.
He has the cheekpieces back on again today as his top class trainer tries to eek out even more improvement.
FESTIVAL PLATE
Our TrustATrader Plate selections are CREBILLY, SHAKEM UP'ARRY and TORN AND FRAYED.
MARES NOVICES’ HURDLE
Irish raiders Brighterdaysahead and Jade de Grugy come here with huge reputations and will be hard to beat based on ratings in the Mares Novices' Hurdle.
However, they are priced up accordingly and the value may lie with GOLDEN ACE.
She’s unbeaten over hurdles and had some decent bumper form last year. Her trainer is a shrewd operator and he clearly thinks his mare is capable of getting in the mix here.
There have been some very big price winners of this in the past and of those at massive odds MOLLYS MANGO and Majestic Force look the most interesting.
Slight preference is for the former. She is having her first run for the excellent Harry Derham, and could also improve now fitted with a tongue tie for the first time
KIM MUIR CHASE
Our three fancies for the Kim Muir Chase are DAILY PRESENT, CHAVEZ and A WAVE OF THE SEA.
Various bookies are offering 6 places for each-way bets on the race.
