The weather could play a key role on day three of the Festival, with strong winds and heavy rain due to hit the track sometime this afternoon. As a result, punters will have to be prepared to switch allegiances to proven soft ground performers if that rain starts to get into the ground.
Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle
The mares have a big part to play today and first up are the novices at 1.20pm.
Bambino Fever has been many people’s idea of a banker for this meeting for many months now and everything looks to be in her favour in a race that lacks depth.
The fact that the contest is being run on the stiffer New Course will also play to her strengths. She could be one for a win double with Fact To File later on the card.
For those of you that don’t like backing short price favourites in big fields (especially when favourites have such a poor record in the race), CARRIGMOORNASPRUCE looks a solid each way alternative. She was second in a grade 1 against the boys last time out and I’ll Sort That ran really well for the yard yesterday.
At monster prices, DIAMOND DU BERLAIS and ST IRENE both look to have been underrated by the layers. The former hacked up in a modest contest at Ludlow on her debut for the Mullins yard, but has reportedly been working well at home since, whilst the latter would need the ground to stay as it is for her to show her best.
You can get 4 places for each-way bets on the Mares Novices' Hurdle with Bet365, BetMGM, Ladbrokes, Paddy Power, Virgin Bet and Boylesports.
La Conquiere (for a yard that won the race three years ago), Future Prospect and Mille Et Une Vies are others to note with the latter having her first run for the Skeltons.
Jack Richards Novices’ Chase
The Jack Richards Novices' Handicap Chase has a very competitive look to it, although sadly the early morning favourite Sixmilebridge is now out due to the ground.
Of those near the top of the revised market, MEETMEBYTHESEA is preferred as he should improve for the step up in trip. His trainer also doesn’t think he likes heavy ground despite him having winning form on it recently.
You can currently get best odds of 15/2 and 5 places with Unibet (and bump that up to 8/1 with a 'Uniboost').
Stencil and The Bluesman are feared but two at bigger price that catch our eye are KING ALEXANDER and KDEUX SAINT FRAY.
King Alexander will hopefully find some improvement now back on a sounder surface. He is improving all the time over fences. Coral are offering 28/1 with 5 places.
Kdeux Saint Fray looks overpriced compared to his stablemate, Jordans Cross. Both have good course form, but the selection may be suited by the stiffer test of stamina here.
Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle
The grade 1 Mares' Hurdle is next and it presents a real conundrum for punters as the short price favourite Wodhooh is trained by Gordon Elliott, who has been having a shocking meeting so far.
With only seven runners, each way options are limited, but for those looking to have a bet TAKE NO CHANCES could be the most solid option. She still seems to be improving and was third in this race on the Old Course last year. The switching of the contest to the stiffer track will hopefully help her get closer this year.
Stayers’ Hurdle
Until proven otherwise, we are going to steer clear of the Elliott runners, so the two to focus on in the Stayers' Hurdle are the young pretenders KABRAL DU MATHAN and Ma Shantou.
The state of the ground by the off time could be key with Kabral Du Mathan (and Impose Toi) desperate for the rain to stay away. If it does, we think the Skelton runner could have too much pace for these in the closing stages.
If Elliott is back amongst the winners then Honesty Policy could run a massive race, otherwise Ballyburn would be feared if back to his best.
Of the outsiders we think DODDIETHEGREAT is no forlorn hope. He did us a massive favour when winning the Pertemps last season and we are hoping a return to the New Course coupled with the first time blinkers could bring about enough improvement to make him competitive here.
You can get 4 places for each-way bets on this race with Bet365.
Ryanair Chase
There’s a cracking Ryanair Chase in store at 4.00pm with Jonbon’s presence giving a real lift to the race. It would be fantastic to see him finally break his Festival duck, but he is going to have to overcome the mighty Fact To File to do so.
All of Jonbon, Fact To File and Impaire Et Passe had hard races last time out and this could come down to which one has got over those exertions the best.
With the fewest miles on the clock we are going to take a chance on IMPAIRE ET PASSE, who was a top class hurdler and won the Ballymore here in 2023.
Banbridge will love the ground if it stays as currently described.
With so many big guns standing their ground it is hard to get too excited about any of the outsiders.
Pertemps Network Final
Our Pertemps Final selections are BOLD ENDEAVOUR, KIKIJO and MELBOURNE SHAMROCK, with most bookmakers offering 6 places for each-way bets on this race.
Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup
Our Kim Muir Chase selections are SANDOR CLEGANE, WEVEALLBEENCAUGHT and HUNG JURY.
Festival Placepot
Once again we'll take a shot at the Festival Tote Placepot, which has a £1 million estimated prize pool (£750,000 guaranteed), with the following selections:
1.20 - 5, 13
2.00 - 11, 16
2.40 - 6
3.20 - 9, 10
4.00 - 1, 4
4.40 - 6, 15, 21