17:00 Another one from the front
That's the way to beat 'em at Prestbury Park this week. Bounce your mount out in front, race at your own pace, jump well and the prize shall be yours.
Still eight rounds to go in our annual joust with the layers and the next looks very interesting indeed.
Frontal Assault could be a handicap blot, Mister Coffey is one I fancy to run a big race and Omar Maretti is another I like. All will be revealed in around half an hour's time.
One thing that has been noticeable today, however, is that they have been finishing very tired. I'll wager that tomorrow it will be very hard work indeed in the Gold Cup, possibly tacky, which could play into the hands of my selection Galvin. Having said that, you certainly wouldn't want to be trying to win that race, on this ground, from off the pace.
16:57 Full result - Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle (16:50)
1st 2 Love Envoi 15/2
2nd 8 Ahorsewithnoname 50/1
3rd 12 Grangee 13/2
NRs: 10 Brandy Love, 20 Say Goodbye, 22 Walk In Clover
19 ran
16:23 Full result - Plate (16:10)
1st 8 Coole Cody 22/1
2nd 4 Imperial Alcazar 7/2 fav
3rd 18 Spiritofthegames 12/1
NRs: 2 Simply The Betts, 3 Pistol Whipped, 5 Fusil Raffles, 7 Cavalry Master, 12 Presentandcounting, 17 Fancy Foundations, 22 Guy
15 ran
16:16 Coole has Cheltenham on a Plate
Wow! Of all the things I've seen this week, and despite backing Imperial Alcazar, that was sensational from a true Cheltenham horse, Coole Cody!
He won it from the front, he won it from just off the pace and then he won it from the front again. You have to genuinely love a horse like that who sets his stall out in front, jumps for fun and then, after looking beaten when surrendering the lead at the back of the third last, finding more to storm up the hill and win.
That's three wins and two placed runs from just nine outings here. At the age of 11, he's just won off a career-high mark of 145. Simply outstanding! Congratulations also to Adam Wedge for backing his mount and to Evan Williams, one of the nicest trainers on the circuit.
16:04 More non-runners in the next
In addition to those given earlier:
7 Cavalry Master and 17 Fancy Foundations now do not run in the Plate (16:10), coming up next. 15 now run in the next.
15:59 Irish eyes smiling
In contrast to the subdued nature of the return of Allaho, Flooring Porter appeared to have approximately 34,561 owners in the paddock for his return. That was much more like it Cheltenham!
Flooring Porter enters Cheltenham parade ring
The Guinness is flowing (other stouts are available) although sadly my press colleague alongside, Paul Jacobs, is unable to fight through the masses to buy me the one he promised, after picking up a four figure sum with Flooring Porter's win. Hey ho!
15:42 Full result - Stayers' Hurdle (15:30)
1st 2 Flooring Porter 4/1
2nd 9 Thyme Hill 11/2
3rd 7 Paisley Park 17/2
All 10 ran
15:38 Porter Floors 'em for a second time
Pardon me ma'am but I may have said this before... nothing is winning from behind.
I think the only fella who knew that in the Stayers' was Danny Mullins and hats off to him for a wonderfully judged ride, making every yard on the dual staying hurdle champion, Flooring Porter.
My pick, Klassical Dream, looked like he might sluice up turning in but he emptied up the hill when asked the question. Gallant efforts again from the 'nearly' horse Thyme Hill and the former champ, Paisley Park.
15:17 Surreal return for the hero
Well that was all a bit surreal. After they were dancing in the isles when Honeysuckle returned on Tuesday and cheering Energumene to the rafters yesterday, it was more a case "Allaho, how are you. Well, done old chap", as the middle distance star returned to what can only be desribed as the sort of polite ripple of applause they get at Southwell on a Monday afternoon, in the last.
Another Willie Mullins-trained winner and I'm hoping there'll be another in the next, too, as I'm on Klassical Dream.
15:08 Full result - Ryanair Chase (14:50)
1st 1 Allaho 4/7 fav
2nd 5 Janidil 12/1
NRs: 7 Mister Fisher, 8 Saint Calvados
7 ran
15:05 Penalty kick duly converted
If ever a field of opponents gifted a race to an odds-on 'jolly', that was it. Given an easy lead and retaining it throughout, Allaho confirms his dominance at the intermediate distance with a very easy win.
There was a heart-in-mouth moment at the last, when he put in his worst leap of the race but there was to be no repeat of Galopin Des Champs for Paul Townend.
If you were genuinely trying to beat the winner then you'd have thought you'd have done something different than watching him from the rear but perhaps he was just too quick for them in that ground and they were unable to even think about that.
14:47 Princess Royal ready for the Ryanair
Just been for a peek at the runners and was sharing the paddock with HRH The Princess Royal, as well as Allaho and co.
The Princess Royal enjoying the Cheltenham Festival
Beautiful weather out there. 'Coats' warmer than yesterday, as my mother would say.
Allaho is on his toes a little in the paddock and has two handlers alongside to settle him. Conflated looked in very good order, as did Fanion D'Estruval.Melon was warm behind the saddle but, as I mentioned, it is glorious.
14:33 Full result - Pertemps Final (14:10)
Following a Stewards Enquiry the result stands, as follows:
1st 8 Third Wind 25/1
2nd 13 Alaphilippe 11/2 co fav
3rd 12 Mill Green 33/1
4th 14 Winter Fog 11/2 co fav
NRs: 4 Didtheyleaveuoutto, 22 Go Another One
22 ran
14:30 The people you meet at Cheltenham!
While 'celebwatch' hasn't thrown up much this week the well known members of the racing media are all here as you'd expect. Racing TV and former Channel 4 presenter Nick Luck was over for a chat yesterday and I've just bumped into RTV's Chris Dixon.
He's largely taken a sabbatical this week due to the imminent birth of a child but tells me he will be on our screens previewing Gold Cup day for RTV tomorrow morning.
Apparently, it's not been the most profitable Festival yet for the Dixon brothers but we're only just past half way and it seems there is much riding on the chances of Allaho in the Ryanair (up next!) and A Plus Tard in tomorrow's Gold Cup. Good luck to two top men.
14:17 So close... and yet so, so far...
I was fairly lifting Alaphilippe up the run-in there! So close to tipping a winner in a big field Cheltenham Festival handicap but no cigar. Nutted by a 25/1 chance, Third Wind.
Finishing order was as follows but note this is NOT a confirmed result...
1st 8 Third Wind 25/1
2nd 13 Alaphilippe 11/2 co fav
3rd 12 Mill Green 33/1
4th 14 Winter Fog 11/2 co fav
They've called a Stewards Enquiry.
14:07 Full result - Turners Novices' Chase (13:30)
1st 1 Bob Olinger 6/5 fav
2nd 4 Busselton 50/1
All 4 ran
13:59 - First, number one!
Well, that was all rather lovely. I have friends in high places. The judge's box to be precise. What an absolutely stunning view of Prestbury Park and beyond. My thanks go to Senior Judge Nick Bostock, who was in the chair for the Turners Novices' Chase and Guy Lewis, who has invited me back up later in the day. They're alternating, apparently.
I have to say, watching that 'live' from way up in the stands was really something! Ok, so no great glory claimed by having the winner, Bob Olinger. He was beaten all ends up but jumping (and now, getting away from a fence) is the name of the game and he safely negotiated all of them.
Everything except my wallet feels for connections of Galopin Des Champs, who had it sewn up and barely touched a twig at the last, before stumbling on landing and unseating Paul Townend. In a portent of things to come this afternoon, the eventual winner finished extremely tired.
13:37 - Bob Olinger claims the Turners Novices'
Galopin Des Champs falls at the last when comfortably clear, allowing Rachael Blackmore to snatch victory on Bob Olinger.
13:00 It's nearly time...
For Bob Olinger versus Galopin Des Champs in the Turners Novices' Chase (13:30)
This could be one of the great races and these could be two of the great novices but let's not get too carried away just yet, remember the Queen Mother Champion Chase, less than 24 hours ago?!
I'm popping off to view this opener from the judge's box. Looking forward to actually seeing a race in the flesh.
11:25 Tented village time...
Well, well. I've just been with the 'hooray Henry's' in the tented village. What was on offer? It was jolly hockeysticks and tweed as far as the eye could see. Absolutely top hole Jeeves!
You can have a jumper for a mere £135, the flat caps are a snip at £75 and if you fancy commissioning one of the many equine artists who have a stall there, you could have your horse exclusively painted for anything upwards of £3,500.
Oh yah... I'll have my entire string done please... I'll pop back after the Stayers' Hurdle later and pick them up. Super!
There is also an absolutely beautiful stall of hand carved wooden furniture. The prices are eyewatering but they do look genuinely magnificently crafted by someone with skill, imagination and passion. When my phone comes back to life, I may even treat you to a snap or two.
10:50 Non-runners
Here are the non-runners through so far for Thursday:
14:10 4 Go Another One, 22 Didtheyleaveuoutto
14:50 7 Mister Fisher, 8 Saint Calvados
16:10 2 Simply The Betts, 3 Pistol Whipped, 5 Fusil Raffles, 12 Presentandcounting, 22 Guy
16:50 10 Brandy Love, 22 Walk In Clover
17:30 4 Janika, 12 Lord Accord, 17 The Mighty Don, 19 Rocco
10:20: Day three thoughts
Turners Novices' Chase (13:30)
Well, I suppose about 50 per cent of us will be right and the other lot wrong. So good are Bob Olinger and Galopin Des Champs perceived to be that they have scared off all but two opponents. If those two shrewdies complete, they'll take home £18,567.50 and £9,275 respectively just for jumping round... so that's a few quid more for Mrs S Ricci and Mrs Audrey Turley.
Anyone who claims they know who'll win this is a fantasist, I reckon. It's a slide rule call and I am just going to side with
Bob Olinger, given that he has Cheltenham Festival winning form on the board.
Pertemps Final (14.:10)
Often a nightmare race to fathom and this year is no different.
I fancy that topweight
Sire Du Berlais will again run a huge race. It would be great to see the JP McManus colours carried to success again and, although he has two others in the field, I think this Gordon Elliott-trained 10-year-old is his best chance.
I also like
Alaphilippe, who is unexposed, improving and sports a first-time tongue-tie. Whispers are that connections have slight concerns about him getting home, particularly after the rain, so I'd expect Paddy Brennan will be holding him up, to some extent at least, and creeping into it down the hill second time around, if he still feels he has a bit of juice in the tank.
Ryanair Chase (14:50)
Obviously the Gigginstown team would love to win this witrh Irish Gold Cup winner Conflated (Gordon Elliot/Davy Russell) and you wouldn't be writing him off. However, the banker of the week for my 'two pennorth' has long been
Allaho. Like Shishkin, we know the hotpots can burn here. Coming into the meeting, 27 of the last 53 odds-on favourites has won... meaning 26 had lost... but the form of the Willie Mullins-trained runner is significantly superior to all eight of his intended opponents and he looks like the penalty kick of the week on paper.
Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle (15:30)
Now this one is tricky. I think it's possible to make cases for several of them. From a consistency perspective, it would be lovely to see Thyme Hill win a big one like this. There's last year's winning, Flooring Porter, old favourite Paisley Park, fellow former winner Lisnagar Oscar, as well as Champ. I'm going to side with
Klassical Dream for the Mullins/Townend combi. He is unexposed at this trip and high class, as he showed when winning the Supreme a few years ago and the Punchestown equivalent of this last year. I accept that he can be a bit highly strung and could run his race before the tapes go up but I'm hoping the hood works and that perhaps they'll even take him down early and get him settled before the off.
Craft Irish Whiskey Co. Plate (16:10)
I'm not sure I have particularly strong thought on this race. I do like
The Glancing Queen, who would have interested me wherever she turned up this week. I'd not put anyone off backing her now that Alan King has plumped for this option for her handicap debut, suggesting they think they have a few pounds up their sleeves.
I did a Cheltenham preview night with Brian Hughes last week and the champion elect said that Paddy Brennan had been absolutely buzzing in the weighing room about the chance of the Fergal O'Brien-trained
Imperial Alcazar, who is another very likeable sort. I think I'll probably have an interest on those two.
Ryanair Mares' Hurdle (16:50)
I think this is one of the more difficult races of the week. It's been a Willie Mullins benefit for most of its early years of existence and given he has the market leader in Dinoblue, it could be 'as you were' for the Closutton team. However, there ain't a huge amount of value in their prices.
I'd like to suggest a small stakes each-way play on Say Goodbye, who seems to have become a professional at making the frame, without winning. He finished really strongly last time and we're not going to lose much face if he bombs out at around the 25/1 that he is, whilst writing.
You can obviously back him on the win markets and place markets separately and take up to six places if you prefer.
Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup (17:30)
Frontal Assault has been considered a potential handicap blot in the build-up. He runs off 145 and carries top weight, which in purely physical terms won't be easy when they've got into the ground by the last race. He is totally unexposed over fences and the key to improvement from him could be the fact that he's back up in trip here (he won over 3m as a hurdler).
If you have nerves of steel in a 20-runner field then go for it, because if what they're saying is true, he could be the easiest Festival winner you've ever backed.
If you fancy a bit of value instead, then I'd be keen on
Omar Maretti. He is 2-3 over fences and jumped really well when winning at Catterick (3m1f, soft) last month. Off a mark of 137, he could still have a few pounds in hand. I'll be having an interest.
I also think
Mister Coffey could run a big race for Nicky Henderson, with Sam Waley-Cohen up.
Wherever your money goes today, I wish you luck in running.
9:50 Going news - Soft, heavy in places
Well I've just ventured out on the track. It's a glorious, sunny morning. The ground staff were out there taking going stick readings and apparently the average stick reading is 5.4, which, I was advised is "mainly soft". Apparently there is the odds heavy patch and also some places that have drained very well and are more like good to soft.
From walking across the Old Course to get to the New Course, I can promise you it is far more squelchy underfoot on the track they've used for the last two days.
You'd have zero complaints about today's conditions. It's what you'd call lovely jumping ground, I'd say. It will clearly get more testing as the day goes on and those hooves get into it but there is no more rain forecast before the end of the Festival and the ground staff were saying it could even be back to good to soft tomorrow if the sun stays out throughout today.
There's little in the way of any breeze and unlike yesterday, it's a day where the spring is back in your step and the world is alright once again.
There were no non-runners through just a few minutes ago but given yesterday's 19mm that fell you'd be pretty confident that some of those who wanted it good here will be saved for another day.
09:00: Good morning and welcome to day three!
The car was iced over this morning, so after yesterday's deluge the ground has got a little crusty.
I'm off to walk out on to the track and check it out and go get the news from the weighing room.
Back soon!
