Cheltenham Festival 2019 – Day 3 Preview

The Cheltenham Festival moves past its halfway point with a betting opportunity that punters could be forgiven for referring to as ‘a walk in the Park’.

That’s because the horse on everyone’s lips for the Grade 1 Sun Racing Stayers’ Hurdle is the seemingly invincible PAISLEY PARK, carded as a favourite by Hollywoodbets in the 18-runner contest.

The Emma Lavelle-trained gelding stretched his unbeaten run this season to four and demonstrated his likely for the Cheltenham undulations by storming to a 12 lengths triumph over West Approach in January, with reopposing rivals such as BLACK OP even further back.

He looks the kingpin of the staying division and plenty will make him their third-day banker to confirm under Aidan Coleman that he’s the real deal.

The first of three Grade Ones happens in the opening JLT Novices’ Chase. With just ten acceptors, it’s a small but select field headed by West Country hope LOSTINTRANSLATION who trainer Colin Tizzard believes can emerge as a possible Gold Cup horse of the future.

The other Grade 1 is the fiercely competitive Ryanair Chase over an extended two and a half miles in which just a couple of points separates the first six in the betting.

FOOTPAD, winner of last season’s Arkle Chase, takes a step up the distance ladder following a shock defeat over two miles at Leopardstown and is the spearhead of a mega strong Irish challenge that comprises two-thirds of the field of 12.

His trainer Willie Mullins also runs a serious contender in UN DE SCEAUX whilst if England is to take the spoils that could happen through the tough and consistent FRODON for Paul Nicholls and Bryony Frost.

If you are seeking salvation after the Stayers’ Hurdle there are three very tough puzzles to achieve that in which Hollywoodbets’ Five Fixed Odds places really come into their own. Twenty-four are set to contest Race 5, twenty-two Race 6 and twenty-four Race 7, but getting it right can lead to riches!