Cheltenham Festival Day 3

Evnoi Allen was perhaps the star on day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival. Considered the next coming in Ireland, Envoi Allen delivered in no uncertain terms and looks very very good.

Champ came from a different county to pinch the RSA, I thought we had it with Minella Indo and the money was won. The mistake at the last cost us a nice pay out. That’s three horses so far that perhaps should have won but didn’t due to a bit of bad luck.

Dame De Compagnie brought home the bacon however when making no mistake in the Coral Cup. He’d been laid out for the race for some time and won with a bit in hand at fair odds.

Diesel D’Allier might have returned a 33-1 place if your bookie was kind in the Cross Country. Three bookies paid out on him, it’s important to shop around. Tiger Roll looked laboured to me, but the ground would have been against him.

Day 3 of Cheltenham is my least favourite day. It can be a blood bath for punters. A couple of selections and one speculative.

The day starts with the March Novices Chase. If Faugheen somehow won this at the age of 12, it would be one of the greatest efforts seen from a horse at Cheltenham. The roof would come off the main stand.

I hope Faugheen runs well but he’s not for me. I’m taking a chance on Samcro showing what he’s really made of. He ran poor last time when behind Faugheen but was found to be sick after the race whilst has also undergone a wind op since.

His effort the time before despite falling, was very good. Samcro came down two out when hard on the bridle against Fakie D’oudairies, he just came up short in the Arkle on Tuesday. Samcro looked outstanding at one stage of his career, it can take some time to get a horse back to peak health.

With Davey Russell taking over in the saddle, 9-2 EW with bookies paying four places looks great value to me. Samcro will either go very well or blow out. I’m more than happy to put my trust in Gordon Elliott.

Paisley Park will take a lot of beating in the Stayers Hurdle at 3:30. He’s 4-6 on with the next horse priced at 10-1. There’s some EW value to be had.

I’ve backed Lisnager Oscar at 66-1. A couple of bookies are paying 4 places.

Lisnager Oscar stays strongly and was only four lengths behind the jolly and Summerville Boy last time out. He's hugley overpriced. Another option, is backing Lisnager Oscar in the market without Paisley Park at 18-1. This means if Paisley Park wins, and Lisnager Oscar was 5^th, you would get a return depending on the bookie you bet with.

Champagne Platinum takes the eye in the Kim Muir at 5:30. I’m told this race has been the plan all season and a smart effort is hoped for. The key looks to be the trip. Champagne Platinum won an Irish P2P over three miles staying strongly.

Since racing in the UK, Champagne Platinum hasn’t gone further than 2m4f and was seen staying on well last time out at Sandown. The horse goes up in trip by a full mile today. I’m hoping this is significant and J P McManus has another Festival winner. 6-1 with five places on offer looks fine.