Sean Bowen Blog | Cheltenham Day Three
13 Mar 2025
Coral Racing Ambassador, Sean Bowen, previews his four potential runners on the day three of the Cheltenham Festival, including course and distance winner Fugitif who features in the Plate Handicap Chase (16:40).
13:20 Cheltenham – Jane Eire
She took three attempts to break her maiden but then was impressive when she did at Cork, scoring by over eight lengths. Henry De Bromhead has an excellent record at Cheltenham, and although she is going to be a big price in this race, he would not be sending her across here if he did not believe she could be competitive. She has had a good break since her last win, so she should be nice and fresh.
14:00 Cheltenham – Moon D’Orange
He was a good winner at Cheltenham last time, and he has been saved for this race since then. Although he is a novice, he has plenty of experience over fences. He enjoyed being dropped in last time and then coming through the field. I expect that will be the case again here, as he does little when hitting the front. The handicapper didn’t crucify him for the win, so he has a nice weight. I should imagine he will have a good chance again.
14:40 Cheltenham – Long Draw
As things stand, Long Draw is the first reserve for the Pertemps Network Final, so we are going to need some luck to get in. I really hope he does line up because he’ll have a good chance from the bottom end of the weights.
He won over this course and distance earlier this season, and the form of that race has worked out well, with the runner-up (Gowel Road) winning the Cleeve Hurdle. He stays well and he likes decent ground.
16:40 Cheltenham – Fugitif
This horse often saves his best for Cheltenham. We are sticking cheekpieces on him and they should sharpen him up. He was second in this race two years ago. I am hoping he can go one place better now.
Stayers’ Hurdle Preview
Teahupoo is back defending his crown in the Stayers’ Hurdle, and I think he is the one to beat in this race. He has had another lightly-raced campaign, which seems to suit him. Ireland have a very strong hand in this championship contest, so it would be a big surprise if an Irish-trainer winner did not prevail.
Ryanair Chase Preview
The Ryanair Chase is one of the best races of the week, and I could not call this one. Fact To File, Il Est Francais and Protektorat are all very good horses. It could come down to tactics. It is going to be fascinating to watch.
Sean Bowen, Coral Racing Ambassador
13:20 Cheltenham – Jane Eire
She took three attempts to break her maiden but then was impressive when she did at Cork, scoring by over eight lengths. Henry De Bromhead has an excellent record at Cheltenham, and although she is going to be a big price in this race, he would not be sending her across here if he did not believe she could be competitive. She has had a good break since her last win, so she should be nice and fresh.
14:00 Cheltenham – Moon D’Orange
He was a good winner at Cheltenham last time, and he has been saved for this race since then. Although he is a novice, he has plenty of experience over fences. He enjoyed being dropped in last time and then coming through the field. I expect that will be the case again here, as he does little when hitting the front. The handicapper didn’t crucify him for the win, so he has a nice weight. I should imagine he will have a good chance again.
14:40 Cheltenham – Long Draw
As things stand, Long Draw is the first reserve for the Pertemps Network Final, so we are going to need some luck to get in. I really hope he does line up because he’ll have a good chance from the bottom end of the weights.
He won over this course and distance earlier this season, and the form of that race has worked out well, with the runner-up (Gowel Road) winning the Cleeve Hurdle. He stays well and he likes decent ground.
16:40 Cheltenham – Fugitif
This horse often saves his best for Cheltenham. We are sticking cheekpieces on him and they should sharpen him up. He was second in this race two years ago. I am hoping he can go one place better now.
Stayers’ Hurdle Preview
Teahupoo is back defending his crown in the Stayers’ Hurdle, and I think he is the one to beat in this race. He has had another lightly-raced campaign, which seems to suit him. Ireland have a very strong hand in this championship contest, so it would be a big surprise if an Irish-trainer winner did not prevail.
Ryanair Chase Preview
The Ryanair Chase is one of the best races of the week, and I could not call this one. Fact To File, Il Est Francais and Protektorat are all very good horses. It could come down to tactics. It is going to be fascinating to watch.
Sean Bowen, Coral Racing Ambassador
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