The Cheltenham Festival 2021 - Betfair’s Best Tips on Day Three

Tiger Roll was the star on the second day of the Cheltenham Festival, bouncing back to form in spectacular fashion by trouncing his rivals in the Cross Country Chase, and we could get another fairytale story of day three should Paisley Park regain his Stayers' Hurdle crown.

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Here is our guide to the best players on Thursday at Prestbury Park.

13:20 - Marsh Novices' Chase - Envoi Allen

Day Three commences with the Marsh Novices' Chase, with Envoi Allen the star attraction and he's the Timeform pick.

"Envoi Allen has proved himself one of the most progressive chasers this season, landing a beginners chase at Down Royal, the Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse and the Killiney Novice Chase at Punchestown since his switch to fences, winning with plenty in hand on each occasion. He is a top-class prospect who looks very hard to beat on his first outing for Henry de Bromhead."

Envoi Allen (Fr)

Trainer: Henry de Bromhead, Ireland

Jockey: J. W. Kennedy

Age: 7

Weight: 11st 4lbs

14:30 - Pertemps Handicap Hurdle: Storm Arising and Mrs Milner each-way

Two runners in the Pertemps for our ambassador Paul Nicholls and he rates Storm Arising his best each-way chance of the day.

"He comes here on the back of a decent success early in January at Chepstow where he galloped on powerfully. I've kept him fresh for this and Bryony Frost gets a good tune out of him."

You can read Paul's thoughts on all his day three runners at the Festival here.

It's the each-way angle for our tipster Kevin Blake too, who fancies Mrs Milner at 14/1 to reach a place at least here.

"The return to this longer trip will very much suit, as will the sounder surface. It wouldn't be at all surprising to see her run a big race and with the Betfair Sportsbook paying out on six places, backing her each-way with them could well yield a dividend."

14:30 - Ryanair Chase: Fakir D'Oudairies and Roseys Hollow

There may not be a standout performer in the Ryanair Chase but it's a very deep Grade 1 where it's impossible to rule out any of the runners.

Joseph O'Brien says that Fakir D'Oudairies is his best chance of landing a Grade 1 this week.

"He looked better than ever on his latest start when second to Chacun Pour Soi in the Dublin Chase. We have always thought that mid-range trips such as this would suit him and we are really looking forward to seeing what he can do over it."

"It took Roseys Hollow three attempts to get off the mark over hurdles, but she produced a good effort to do so at Fairyhouse in January, and that form received a serious boost when the runner-up went very close to winning the valuable mares handicap at the Dublin Racing Festival subsequently.

"Roseys Hollow did her own bit to frank the form as well when following up in the Solerina at the same venue the following month, taking the step up in grade in her stride as she got the better of Royal Kahala."

15:05 - Stayers' Hurdle: Lay Paisley Park and Back Lisnagar Oscar

The feature race of the day, the Stayers' Hurdle, will see Paisley Park try to regain the crown he won two years ago but Patrick Weaver in his lay column wants to take the favourite on.

"The Irish squad includes the first two home in last year's Pertemps Network Final, Sire Du Berlais and The Storyteller. Add in Flooring Porter and Fury Road and there is a good chance that Paisley Park won't win the Stayers' Hurdle a second time."

15:40 - Paddy Power Plate Handicap Chase: Back Sully Doc Aa and Champagne Court

Tony also fancies a pair of runners in a competitive handicap chase at nice prices, believing Sully Doc Aa goes well fresh on good ground while Champagne Court showed signs of a revival last time and has come down enough in the weights to merit support.

"Sully Doc A had a wind op after running here last January and it seems to have done the trick, as he ran out a convincing and well-backed winner (when also sporting a first-time tongue-tie) at Ascot on good to soft ground in October.

"He went up 10lb for that 4¾-length win but that was justified, as the form has been franked time and again."

16:15 - Mares Novice Hurdle: Back Telmesomethinggirl and Allavina

With Betfair paying four places here, Kevin Blake is happy to take a chance on the Henry De Bromhead-trained Telmesomethinggirl.

"De Bromhead feels that the run will bring her on and that this course and distance will very much suit. She receives weight from a few of the leading contenders and looks to have an excellent chance."

In his Day 3 column, Olly Murphy says his Allavina is a big price but that he's looking forward to seeing her run.

"I think a strongly run race will suit her and she's in good form of late, bolting up at Taunton last time out. She seems to be improving with every race and I think she is one who can go well at a price."

16:50 - Handicap Chase: Back Bob Mahler

Tony Calvin's final tip of the day is Bob Mahler in the last.

"His saddle slipped at both Haydock and Kelso before he showed a bit more when third in atrocious conditions at Musselburgh last time, though he certainly will need to travel a bit more kindly for Harry Bannister than he did there. Or else he will be detached from an early stage.

"If he does, then he is handicapped to do some damage. He is on the same mark as when winning the Edinburgh National last season, and 5lb lower than when a 3 ¼-length third in this race last year."