sport news PADDY POWER'S CHEAT SHEET FOR DAY THREE: Ruby Walsh, Mick Fitzgerald, Nina ... trends now
We’re hoping that there’ll be no early drama for today’s seven-race card – at least until the racing starts – after Wednesday’s mishap.
The Paddy Power Stayer’s Hurdle is the headline act at 15:30 where Teahupoo is hoping to go a couple of places better than last season when denied by stablemate Sire Du Berlais who also lines up again.
And while this heavyweight bout splits the action, there’s still plenty of questions to be answered on the undercard as we enter the final two days of the four-day fiesta.
Will Facile Vega (1.30pm) finally show the world what he’s capable of? Will the month long gamble on Crebilly (4.10pm) be realised. And will Nicky Henderson’s runners bounce back to form?
Courtesy of Paddy Power News, their pundits Mick Fitzgerald, Ruby Walsh, Paddy Mullins, Matt Chapman and Nina Carberry offer up their tips for day three below...
Trainer Gordon Elliott has kept Teahupoo fresh for the Stayers' Hurdle on Thursday
Mick Fitzgerald
I fancy a British winner in this as we swap to the New Course for the next two days. GREY DAWNING (9/4 with Paddy Power) has solid form.
Matt Chapman
Now the mud has come I’m all over GREY DAWNING for the team of jockey Harry and trainer Dan Skelton. This grey has always had plenty of talent.
Paddy Mullins
FACILE VEGA should appreciate the step up in trip and soft ground will help him show his true ability.
Ruby Walsh
I’m not going to desert FACILE VEGA. The way Willie Mullins turned around Gaelic Warrior shows you can’t go against his runners.
Nina Carberry
I fancy FACILE VEGA. He’s crying out to go up in trip.
2.10 PERTEMPS NETWORK HURDLEMick Fitzgerald
ICARE ALLEN (9/1 with Paddy Power) is very interesting, there’s more to come from him. MILL GREEN is consistent and has an each-way chance.
Matt Chapman
Could LE MILOS be well handicapped? He’s on 142 here and was second at Kelso in a chase in March last year off 152. Will act on the ground.
Paddy Mullins
GAOTH CHUIL has been hugely consistent this season and has a lovely light weight.
Ruby Walsh
I’m hoping my dad’s GAOTH CHUIL (each-way) can deliver a third Festival winner for him. She will definitely stay and she can run into the money.
Nina Carberry
I’m going with GAOTH CHUIL. She’s been on form all season.
Envoi Allen is chasing a fourth Festival success in Ryanair Chase defence on Thursday
Mick Fitzgerald
I am wary of the ground conditions for BANBRIDGE so if he doesn’t run then ENVOI ALLEN is probably the one to beat.
Matt Chapman
PROTEKTORAT (10/1 with Paddy Power) has a cracking each-way chance for trainer Dan and jockey Harry Skelton. Rated 165 he’s bang in the mix and he’s not been disgraced behind Shishkin and L’Homme Presse this term.
Paddy Mullins
CAPODANNO will handle soft ground which will help negate the drop in trip to 2m 5f. There
