DAVY RUSSELL blog: Cheltenham Festival THURSDAY

Onto to the third day of the meeting and it’s my best day of chances if the betting markets are to be believed. Edelle came over to stay with me on Wednesday so it will be lovely having her about the place and hopefully she can bring me a bit of luck…

THURSDAY

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL

MIGHTY POTTER 1.30pm Turners Novices’ Chase

Listen, so much has been written and said about Mighty Potter ? in the build-up that there isn’t an awful left to say. He’s been brilliant in all three of his starts over fences this campaign and has made such huge progress from Down Royal to the last day in Leopardstown. He jumps, travels and puts his all in which is all you can ask for. He saw off all of Willie’s in Dublin and hopefully can do the same again. The rain in the build-up would have been ideal as he does like to get his toe in. Willie probably does saddle our main danger in Appreciate It, while Banbridge is a good horse that wouldn’t want too much more rain. ⭐ STARSPORTS.BET MARKET ⭐

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MAXXUM 2.10pm Pertemps Final

I’m back on board Maxxum ? who I haven’t ridden since he bolted up in Navan last November off a mark of 103. Jack defied a 17lbs hike in some fashion on him in Leopardstown over Christmas and the handicapper hammered him another 18lbs ahead of the Dublin Racing Festival. That seemed to do for him that day and he lines up here off another 7lbs higher mark. He’s a lovely horse but it would be some task to defy that mark – remember that’s over 40lbs higher than Navan. We’ll give it our best shot, but it won’t be easy. Gordon also saddles Salvador Ziggy who has a squeak with Aidan Kelly taking off 7lbs, although the rain isn’t ideal. We’ll be hoping Level Neverending may benefit from first time blinkers, but it’s a tall order for him. ⭐ STARSPORTS.BET MARKET ⭐

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FURY ROAD 2.50pm Ryanair Chase

If the real Shishkin turns up here, we are all in big trouble. He was brilliant in Ascot the last day and this sort of trip appears to be what he wants these days. There is a niggling doubt in the back of your mind what happened here 12 months ago so I’ll be positive aboard Fury Road ? who stays the trip well. He’s run well here in the past and has been in grand form this season. He should be bang there. ⭐ STARSPORTS.BET MARKET ⭐

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TEAHUPOO 3.30pm Paddy Power Stayers Hurdle

The rain is definitely a plus for Teahupoo ? who proved this trip is what he wants when winning in Gowran the last day. Don’t forget he had previously beaten Klassical Dream and Honeysuckle in Fairyhouse so that’s top notch form. This looks some race though with the likes of multiple winner Flooring Porter and new kid on the block Blazing Khal. I’ve been mighty impressed with Home By The Lee this season too so it has all the makings of a proper race. ⭐ STARSPORTS.BET MARKET ⭐

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4.10pm Magners Plate

No ride for me in the Plate where Gordon saddles Escaria Ten, Mars Harper and Gevrey. I’d say they all look slightly up against it, but Escaria Ten ? would have a definite squeak if conditions got really bad. So Scottish has been the talk of plenty preview nights I’ve been at and I’d say there’s a fair bit of confidence behind him. ⭐ STARSPORTS.BET MARKET ⭐

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HALKA DU TABERT 4.50pm Mares’ Novices Hurdle

I ride Halka Du Tabert ? here for Gordon who would have a chance if the rain falls as she’s a real stayer. This trip may be on the sharp side for her so the more emphasis on stamina, the better. Luccia and You Wear It Well both have chances for the home team, but both have to carry penalties. Lot Of Joy looks Willie’s main contender and she’s no penalty to carry, which may make her tough to beat. ⭐ STARSPORTS.BET MARKET ⭐

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5.30pm Kim Muir

Gordon saddles a couple of nice chances here in Punitive and Dunboyne. Jamie Codd rides Dunboyne who was just held in the Thyestes. The ground won’t be a bother for him but the 9lbs rise makes life tougher for sure. Punitive didn’t run so well in that Thyestes but is better judged on his win in Fairyhouse before that. Whether either are up to beating Stumptown ? remains to be seen. I think he was mentioned at every preview night I attended and may be a hard nut to crack. ⭐ STARSPORTS.BET MARKET ⭐

🧢 I’ll be back on Thursday evening with my thoughts on Gold Cup day.

Good Luck
Davy

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