Joe Tizzard Blog | Cheltenham Festival Day Three
11 Mar 2026
Coral Racing Ambassador, Joe Tizzard, gives us an exclusive preview of his three runners on day three of the Cheltenham Festival, including JPR One who goes in the Ryanair Chase.
Golden Miller Novices' Handicap Chase (14:00) – Western Knight
This race has been the plan for this horse all season, he’s won a couple of novice chases this season and was a good second in the Grade 2 Reynoldstown last time. They were all small fields, with three or four runners, so this will be a new experience for him. It's certainly one I’m looking forward to, as I do think he could be a horse for a race like the Paddy Power Gold Cup next season and running in a big field will teach him and us plenty.
We’ll also find out here if he needs to go three miles next season. I do think there is a chance this trip might be a bit sharp for him, but he is a horse I like a lot and I hope a mark in the mid 130s is just the start for him. I certainly think he’s got a big pot in him next year.
Mares' Hurdle (14:40) – Sunset Marquesa
This is another race we’ve had in mind for our horse for a while, she won well at Sandown before Christmas and has run with credit in pattern company in two runs since. She is the outsider of the field here, but only seven line up and we’ll ride her to win as much prize money as we can.
She’s rated 129 so where else would we go with her? In a small field it’s worth rolling the dice and I don’t think she’ll finish last.
Ryanair Chase (16:00) – JPR One
The drier the ground the better for this fellow, so hopefully the forecast rain for Thursday will stay away. He’s in really good nick, and he needs to be as Fact To File sets a high standard. However, with a rating of 160, it was either a case of coming here or lumping top weight in a handicap.
He proved at Musselburgh last time that he relished the 2 ½ miles trip and I do think this was the right option over the shorter Champion Chase as they should just go a yard steadier here which will help him. I can definitely see him outrunning his odds and if he does come up short, we do have the option of going back to handicaps.
Joe Tizzard, Coral Racing Ambassador
Golden Miller Novices' Handicap Chase (14:00) – Western Knight
This race has been the plan for this horse all season, he’s won a couple of novice chases this season and was a good second in the Grade 2 Reynoldstown last time. They were all small fields, with three or four runners, so this will be a new experience for him. It's certainly one I’m looking forward to, as I do think he could be a horse for a race like the Paddy Power Gold Cup next season and running in a big field will teach him and us plenty.
We’ll also find out here if he needs to go three miles next season. I do think there is a chance this trip might be a bit sharp for him, but he is a horse I like a lot and I hope a mark in the mid 130s is just the start for him. I certainly think he’s got a big pot in him next year.
Mares' Hurdle (14:40) – Sunset Marquesa
This is another race we’ve had in mind for our horse for a while, she won well at Sandown before Christmas and has run with credit in pattern company in two runs since. She is the outsider of the field here, but only seven line up and we’ll ride her to win as much prize money as we can.
She’s rated 129 so where else would we go with her? In a small field it’s worth rolling the dice and I don’t think she’ll finish last.
Ryanair Chase (16:00) – JPR One
The drier the ground the better for this fellow, so hopefully the forecast rain for Thursday will stay away. He’s in really good nick, and he needs to be as Fact To File sets a high standard. However, with a rating of 160, it was either a case of coming here or lumping top weight in a handicap.
He proved at Musselburgh last time that he relished the 2 ½ miles trip and I do think this was the right option over the shorter Champion Chase as they should just go a yard steadier here which will help him. I can definitely see him outrunning his odds and if he does come up short, we do have the option of going back to handicaps.
Joe Tizzard, Coral Racing Ambassador
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