Cheltenham Festival 2024: Day 3 tips for Turners Novice Chase, Ryanair Chase and more

By Bob Cross

Day three of the Festival is upon us and the Irish have had it mainly their on way until now with only three of the races so far being won by a home based horse.

I believe today may well give the Brits their best chance of picking up some wins.

The day kicks off with The Turners Novice Chase at 1.30 and this looks an intriguing affair. I am siding with the home based horses here and fancy the Paul Nicholls trained GINNY’S DESTINY to land the spoils.

He has been trained specifically for this race – his previous four races have all been at Prestbury Park – and he jumps like a stag.

The each way selection is DJELO . The employed hold-up tactics last time out clearly did not suit and i expect he will be much closer to the pace today.

The Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle is off at 2.10 and gives FAROUK D’ALENE the opportunity to make up for his error here two years ago when he fell at the penultimate fence in the Brown Advisory when he was coming with a promising looking effort.

His stablemate, CLEATUS POOLAW , is having his first race over three miles. He looks as though this is within his scope and he is our each way selection.

The feature race of the day is The Ryanair Chase and this takes place at 2.50. Rachael Blackmore has had success on each day so far and I expect this run to continue with her mount ENVOY ALLEN taken to land this valuable prize.

STAGE STAR won the Novices Chase here last year and is taken to run into a place.

Gordon Elliot has not had the best Festival so far but TEAHUPOO (nap) could put a smile back on his face at 3.30 in the Stayers Hurdle. The seven year old has only raced twice since last years meet and a big run is expected.

The Fergal O’Brien trained CRAMBO get