Cheltenham Festival Tips: Marsh Novices' Chase betting preview

RACING anorak Graeme Johnston (@GraemeJ_83) analyses the field for the opening race on Day 3 of the Cheltenham Festival, the Marsh Novices' Chase.

Marsh Novices' Chase | Thursday 18th March 2021, 13:20 | ITV1

Thursday starts off with the Marsh Novice Chase and sees yet another short priced favourite in the shape of Envoi Allen. He has won all his starts including two at the Festival and has upwards of 10lbs in hand over the field. He should win however the Betting Without market is interesting.

I feel that Chantry House is still a horse we are yet to see the best of and after only 7 runs under rules he is still quite raw.

Third in the Supreme Novice last year, expectations were high for him this campaign however he never exactly set the pulse racing on his first two chase starts. Last time out was a huge step in the right direction beating Coconut Splash in good style and even a small amount of improvement on that sees him a challenger for runner up here.

He is likely to be held up, given time to get into the race, and as we have already seen with Elderado Allen sometimes at the Festival it's more lucrative to pick up the pieces for place money than try to win the race. I've backed him without the favourite here.