Cheltenham Festival day 3 tips: Templegate's best bets for Stayers' Hurdle and other races at greatest show on turf
WELL there have been two days of thrills, spills, short-price winners and outsiders romping home.
Which sets it all up perfectly for day three of Cheltenham Festival.
SunSport tipster Steve Mullen – Templegate to you and me – has been poring over the form for months.
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Here, he reveals which runners he thinks can land the spoils, and bag you a small fortune in the process.
PAISLEY PARK (3.05 Cheltenham, nap – best bet)
He ran just about the race of his career when winning the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot last time and can win back the Stayers’ Hurdle title.
He had to come late to see off Thyme Hill that day and he doesn’t have to take on that top-class rival here. Trainer Emma Lavelle has brought him along quietly and there was plenty left to work on when second at Newbury on comeback. He left that form behind last time.
He clearly wasn’t right in this 12 months ago when things didn’t go well, with two of his shoes being pulled off in the sticky ground and he suffered an irregular heartbeat. That issue has been solved and he can give his true running.
ENVOI ALLEN (1.20 Cheltenham, nb – next best)
He looks a cut above these rivals and can land his third Cheltenham Festival win after taking the Champion Bumper in 2019 and last year’s Ballymore Hurdle.
He extended his 100 per cent win record to 12 with a bloodless victory at Punchestown in January. He stays this trip well and has landed big successes on fast and soft ground.
Something in the field would have to show a level of form they haven’t come close to if they were to get the better of Henry De Bromhead’s star.
MIN (2.30 Cheltenham, treble – chuck in for a big win)
He can win a second Ryanair Chase. There was clearly something not right when he didn’t get round at Leopardstown last month. He didn’t seem thrilled with dropping back to two miles and made one costly error.
Willie Mullins’ ten-year-old normally crosses his fences well and going back to this trip at a track where he’s performed before can bring out the best in him. He has Grade 1 winning form on good and soft ground so conditions won’t be an issue.
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CHELTENHAM
1.20 Envoi Allen (nb)
Has won at past two Festivals and can land the hat-trick.
1.55 The Bosses Oscar
Likes a big field and stays well so should run a good race.
2.30 Min (treble)
Won this last year and will be ready to go again.
3.05 Paisley Park (NAP)
Better than ever last time and can regain his crown.
3.40 A Wave Of The Sea
Impressive winner at Leopardstown latest and has more to come.
4.15 Hook Up
Ran well in a hot race last time and yard has great record in this.
4.50 Plan Of Attack
Good fourth in this last year and looks on fair mark.
Don't forget, there are more races going on around the UK on Thursday and Templegate has a pick in those too.
HEXHAM
12.40 Lady Villanelle
Has shown best form over this course and distance.
1.10 Don Herbager Gone up weights but was an easy winner last time out.
1.45 Fugitif
Good winner at Uttoxeter latest and should be right there again.
2.20 Kings Eclipse
Won well at Carlisle two runs ago and repeat would do trick.
2.55 One Fine Man
Looked rusty last time and has much more to offer.
3.30 Arqalina
In cracking form and will like these testing conditions.
4.05 Achill Road Boy
Ran well on last outing over this course and distance.
DONCASTER
1.35 Gilbertina
Went close at Market Rasen latest and should run well again.
2.10 Jack Sharp
Has been knocking on the door and should improve here.
2.45 Onemorefortheroad
Plenty in hand when scoring at Huntingdon last time out.
3.20 Quick Draw
Makes handicap debut over what should be an ideal distance.
3.55 Bootlegger
Ran on well when second here latest and will be right there again.
4.30 Furius De Ciergues
Won nicely last time and looks capable of better still.
5.05 King Ferdinand
Well bred and showed some promise when sixth on debut.
CHELMSFORD
4.40 Wiley Post
Good third at Lingfield last time and looks on a fair mark.
5.25 Shalaa Asker
Won well here on last visit and longer trip should be fine.
5.55 Show Me A Sunset
Nice win here last time and claimer takes off valuable 7lb.
6.25 United Front
Up fair 4lb for winning nicely at Newcastle last time out.
6.55 Noble Queen
Knocking on the door and champion jockey gets on board today.
7.25 Eyes
Has shown best form over this course and distance.
7.55 Queen Of Zabeel
Beautifully bred and capable of making a winning start.
8.25 Three Dragons
Should do better for this step up in distance.
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