Coral Racing Ambassador, Tom Scudamore, provides an exclusive preview of the third day of the Cheltenham Festival, including his rundown of the Stayers' Hurdle.

Turners Novices’ Chase

Although he hasn’t had the ideal prep for this, I do like Iroko here. The Martin Pipe always throws up a good horse, and he was a very impressive winner of that last year. He also really impressed me on his chase debut at Warwick earlier in the season, so if he does return in that sort of form, then I’d say he has a big chance.

I’d respect Ginny’s Destiny because he looks very solid, and he has a very similar profile to Stage Star who won the race for this yard last year, but just at the prices I’d just side with Iroko.

Pertemps Handicap Hurdle

Extremely competitive as always, but I think Ted Walsh has an outstanding chance in this with his runner Gaoth Chuil. She’s got a lovely progressive profile, and she’s got a nice weight to carry too, so I’d be very hopeful that she won’t be far away in this.

Ryanair Chase

I was going to go with Envoi Allen on account of his excellent record at the festival, but I just think at the prices I’ll side with Capodanno. He put up an excellent performance here to win the Cotswold Chase last time, and I don’t expect the slightly shorter trip to inconvenience him at all.

It does look a very open Ryanair, and we’ll obviously be hoping Ahoy Senor can go well, but I suspect Envoi Allen will be the main danger to the selection.

Stayers' Hurdle

I really like the old boy Paisley Park here as an each-way bet. Other than his age, there’s nothing to suggest he’s on the downgrade, and he’s certainly one of the best staying hurdlers in this country. I’d respect Sire Du Berlais and Flooring Porter too as the old guard, because I’m not convinced the younger more progressive types in this race have proven that they are any better than their more experienced rivals.

Teahupoo is very short now, and he’s clearly capable of winning, but I haven’t seen enough to suggest him or Crambo are ready to take the crown off the old boys just yet.

Tom discusses the chances of the "old boys" at the Coral Racing Club Cheltenham Preview Night

Plate Handicap Chase

Crebilly has an obvious chance, but the price has gone now on him, so I’d side with Il Ridoto at a price with Freddie Gingell back on board. He was a little disappointing last time at Kempton, but if he can return to his previous Cheltenham form from earlier in the season, then I definitely think he’s overpriced.

Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle

I’d just slightly favour Brighterdaysahead over Jade De Grugy here. Those two do standout in this race, and even though they’ve got the penalties to carry, they’ve got them for a reason.

Gordon Elliott has made no secret of how highly he regards his mare, and the fact she had the option of taking on the boys shows how highly they rate her, so I’d say she looks a cut above the rest.

Kim Muir Handicap Chase

 

Another very competitive handicap, but I’ve been watching the way Amirite has been campaigned this year, and he looks like he might have a little bit up his sleeve. He was a decent fifth at Leopardstown behind Meetingofthewaters, and that horse franked that form when running a big race in the Ultima on Tuesday, so I can see Amirite going well here for Henry De Bromhead.

Tom Scudamore, Coral Racing Ambassador