Barry Geraghty’s William Hill blog: Fresh Teahupoo to take some stopping in the Stayers’

William Hill ambassador Barry Geraghty looks over all seven races on Day Three of the Cheltenham Festival, picking out his best bets.

Cheltenham, Thursday

1:30pm – Turners Novices’ Chase

Grey Dawning probably sets the standard and should enjoy the going, so I think he’s the one to beat. However, IROKO, who won the Martin Pipe at the Festival last year, could be the dark one here. He jumped really well in Warwick on his only run over fences and while he lacks experience, Well Chief proved it is possible to win at the Festival after only one chase start when he won the Arkle in 2004. I think Iroko does jump well enough, so he could be the one to side with in an open race.

2:10pm – Pertemps Network Final

Plenty hold chances here, but one I thought that was of interest was Ted Walsh’s GAOTH CHUIL. He was dropped in at Leopardstown last time off a slow pace and had to come wide around the field but ran a good race to finish second. He is only a six-year-old, won well on his penultimate start and there could be more to come. Another to keep an eye on is LE MILOS, who was well fancied for the Aintree Grand National last season when he ran a bit keen and I would say he’s working his way towards Aintree again, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him put up a good show here.

2:50pm – Ryanair Chase

If the ground improves, I think it’s going to suit BANBRIDGE. It will also be on a fresh course, with racing switching to the New Course on Thursday, which will help him. On the other hand, the slower the ground the better it’s going to be for CAPODANNO. He won the Cotswold Chase here last time and I think he looks a good each-way bet.

3:30pm – Stayers’ Hurdle

For me this is all about TEAHUPOO. He comes here fresh and he has a brilliant record on the back of a break, winning seven from seven after a break of 50 days or more. He won the Hatton’s Grace at Fairyhouse last time out, beating quality opposition, and he beat Honeysuckle and Klassical Dream in that same contest in 2022. I don’t think we saw him at his best in the Stayers’ Hurdle last year when he was only a six-year-old. His age may have worked against him at this trip last year, but he should be stronger now and he’ll love the ground if it stays soft. I think he’s rock solid and is one of my bets of the week.

4:10pm – Plate Handicap Chase

Crebilly is the one that has been well backed and touted for this race and he has some strong form. It’s another JP McManus horse that interests me though in the form of IN EXCELSIS DEO. He was a little unlucky two starts back when finishing second at Cheltenham as he made a bad mistake at the fourth last. On his next start, he was then in a challenging position with Harper’s Brook when unseating at the last. He has looked like a horse that would benefit from stepping up in trip so it’s interesting that connections have chosen to go for this race rather than the Grand Annual.

4:50pm – Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle

This is an interesting contest and judging by the market it looks a match between Gordon Elliott’s Brighterdaysahead and Willie Mullins’ Jade De Grugy, but Dysart Enos definitely has a chance too. For me JADE DE GRUGY has been really impressive to date, and I think she’s going to suited by the 2m1f trip better than her main market rival. Brighterdaysahead won over 2m5f in testing ground at Navan last time out and before that I didn’t think she showed a who lot of pace when winning at Down Royal, so she may struggle to lay up with the Mullins mare.

5:30pm – Kim Muir

INOTHEWAYURTHINKIN finished third behind Gaelic Warrior at Limerick in Grade One company on his penultimate start. He looks to be well handicapped on that form so he’s definitely one that’s in with a big shout.