RACING fan Gerry Taylor (@thefurlongpole) shares his NAP, his next best and his each-way fancy on Day 3 of the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday.
The NAP, the next best and the each-way on Day 3 at Cheltenham Festival
The best four days of the racing year are upon us and racing fans have a feast of action to look forward.
The Prestbury Park meet gets underway on Tuesday and I’ll be looking at my NAP of the day, my lay of the day and a horse to back at a nice each-way price on each day of the meeting.
The NAP: Paisley Park (9/4 Paddy Power) in the Stayers Hurdle (3:05)
Baracuda, Inglis Drever and the legend that was Big Bucks. All fairly recent multiple winners of the Stayers Hurdle. Can Paisley Park join this elite Cheltenham Festival stayers role of honour? I think he can.
If it were a handicap, Paisley would be at least 5 lbs well in with the rest of the field. He is the best horse in the race rated 165 – the closest two to him are Sire Du Berlais and Flooring Porter – both rated at 160. The selection gets to run off level weights.
If you've read up on any recent Emma Lavelle and Barry Fenton articles you will know that owner Andrew Gemmill's Oscar gelding did not have an ideal run-up last year to defend his crown.
This season though, has been much more like the thing, as seen by Paisley sneaking up late on Thyme Hill in the Long Walk at Ascot, so I for one am envisaging a Tiger Roll type comeback, when some maybe have already written off a potential Cheltenham legend off, after one bad day at the office(festival). His previous three form figures in the Cotswolds were 1-1-1.
As the horse was named after the Prince song..and the lyrics go..”Paisley Park is in my heart”- but my head also tells me that the Thursday NAP should be Paisley Park at 9/4 with Paddy Power.
The Next Best: Envoi Allen to win by over 3 lengths (5/6 William Hill) in the Marsh Novices' Chase (1.20)
Henry de Bromhead is already having his best Cheltenham Festival, having bagged three grade ones this week.
When the class act that is Envoi Allen was transferred from Cullentra House, by the owners of Cheveley Park Stud to his stable in the last fortnight, he probably quietly, couldn't believe his luck.
Envoi is unbeaten in 11/11, has hacked up, with the minimum of fuss in his three chases this season. The strapping, athletic Muhtathir gelding is 8 lbs clear in the ratings from the opposition, he could be the next best thing – as his previous stable held him in such high regard, and were devastated when he was moved.
Jack Kennedy keeps the ride, and if he is as good as I, and most others think, he should be able to win this 2 miles 4 furlongs novice chase by in excess of three lengths to land the next best bet at 5/6 with William Hill.
The Each-Way: Mounta Ida (13/2 Paddy Power) in the Kim Muir Handicap Chase (4.50)
A few trends for this race:
- Aged 7 to 9.
- Rated at least 137.
- There have been five 7 year old winners since 2012.
The Cullentra stable, currently under the banner of trainer Denise Foster, have won this race twice in the last 10 years.
Mount Ida is an intruiging runner, second last time out to the Willie Mullins mare Colreevy (a grade 1 winner) at Thurles over 2-and-a-half miles, she is now stepped up to 3 miles 2 furlongs for her handicap debut.
The half sister to Sizing Tennessee( who was 3rd in the 4 mile National Hunt Chase in 2018), gets in here off a mark of 142 and looks sure to improve for the big step up in trip.
Jack Kennedy rides, for the stable who already have had a winner each day of the Festival, so for that reason I'm happy to get involved each-way at 13/2 with Paddy Power.
Best Bets
Stayers Hurdle – Paisley Park (9/4 Paddy Power)
Marsh Novices' Chase – Envoi Allen to win by over 3 lengths (5/6 William Hill)
Kim Muir Handicap Chase – Mount Ida (13/2 each-way Paddy Power)
