Horse RACING

The Cheltenham Festival moves onto the new course today which means horse's stamina is put to the test.
Runners and riders compete in the 16:50 JT McNamara National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Riders' Novice Chase during Champion Day of the 2017 Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse. Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA Wire. PPP-170315-121919001Runners and riders compete in the 16:50 JT McNamara National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Riders' Novice Chase during Champion Day of the 2017 Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse. Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA Wire. PPP-170315-121919001
Runners and riders compete in the 16:50 JT McNamara National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Riders' Novice Chase during Champion Day of the 2017 Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse. Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA Wire. PPP-170315-121919001

The Stayers’ Hurdle (3.30pm) is the feature affair and all eyes will be on Uknowhatimeanharry, who has improved hand over fist since joining Harry Fry’s yard. He won the Cleeve Hurdle over course and distance in January when giving weight away all round and he doesn’t have that penalty today.

But the second-string JP McManus hoops will be carried by Jezki, who should not go underestimated.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He’s still just a nine-year-old despite his well documented injury problems. The 2014 Champion Hurdle winner steps up to three miles for just the second time in his career. The last time he did, he scalped the mighty Hurricane Fly and produced his best work in the business end of the contest.

The JLT Novices’ Chase (1.30pm) starts the day. The jumping of Willie Mullins’ Yorkhill has been slightly suspect but he’s a horse with a serious engine and won the Neptune Investement Management Novices’ Hurdle at the Festival last year.

The Ryanair Chase (2.50pm) also could go to Mullins. Un De Sceuax hasn’t often got the credit he deserves having only been beaten by Sprinter Sacre over fences when he’s stayed on his feet. The nine-year-old has been crying out for this sort of trip and is the one to beat.

West Sussex trainer Gary Moore saddles Baron Alco in the Stable Plate Handicap Chase . The six-year-old was second to Top Notch - second favourite for the JLT - in a Grade One at Sandown last month and if he runs to that form, he should give a good account of himself.

Tips for each race

1.30pm - Yorkhill

2.10pm - Splash Of Ginge each-way

2.50pm - Un De Sceaux

3.30pm - Jezki each-way

4.10pm - Let’s Dance

4.50pm - Baron Alco each-way

5.30pm - Unioniste each-way