Cheltenham Festival 2026 - Day Three

 


14:00 - Jack Richards’ Novice Handicap Chase

There have been a few horses who have taken big steps forwards since leaving Paul Nicholls in the past year including Kabral Du Mathan later on the card, another is THE BLUESMAN who is now in the care of Olly Murphy. That improvement has also coincided with a switch to fences over which his form figures read 121. He has been held up and had to come through horses in all of this starts which is good experience when moving into a handicap of this nature - especially now switched to the new course. The second from his most recent race, Western Zephyr, ran a creditable race in the plate earlier in the week when 8th of 17 at 50/1.

JORDANS CROSS won the Timeform Novices’ chase back in January which is usually a very good pointer for this race - with 4 of the last 9 winners of this race contesting that January event. The form of that contest has already worked out well with 5th and 6th placed horses both winning handicaps next time, the second only beaten 3/4 length behind Johnnywho in the Ultima earlier this week and third ran very well in a decent race at Kempton last time.

THE BLUESMAN 14/1 - 1 Point Each-Way

JORDANS CROSS - 1 Point Each-Way


15:20 - Stayers Hurdle

The stayers hurdle is an incredibly competitive renewal this year and while I think KABRAL DU MATHAN would have an excellent chance if staying the trip - his price no longer compensates for that risk. MA SHANTOU has been a revelation this season, winning all three of his starts here at Cheltenham and climbing 25lb in the handicap as a result. Most recently he bolted up in the Cleeve Hurdle with the re-opposing Impose Toi well beaten seven lengths back in 2nd. The last 3 horses to win the that contest by 7 lengths or more went on to win this contest, so I’m hoping he can keep that run going.

MA SHANTOU - 1 Point Win


Multiples:

MA SHANTOU (15:20) & SUPREMELY WEST (16:40) DOUBLE 30.5/1 - 0.5 Point Win

The case for MA SHANTOU was made above and his form ties in closely with SUPREMELY WEST, who a bit like Madara earlier in the week - has certainly been running with this race in mind for a while. If Ma Shantou does win the Stayers then Skelton's will likely shorten further for the Pertemps - given that he was a never nearer 3rd behind him here trying to give him 8lb.


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