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Andy's Day Three Selections

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL – IRISH ANGLE – DAY THREE

JEWSON HANDICAP
CHINA ROCK stands out as an idea type for this race and is strongly fancied to justify hefty ante-post support. A creditable fourth in the last season’ Neptune Hurdle at the festival, Mouse Morris’ charge has been mixing it against the very best company in his first season over hurdles and on the pick of his form, he looks to have outstanding claims off a favourable handicap mark. His best effort came when he was only beaten seven lengths in the Grade 1 Knight Frank Novices’ Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas and with the runner up that day, Weapon’s Amnesty going on to land the RSA Chase here yesterday, the form looks rock solid.

PERTEMPS FINAL
SMOKING ACES (NAP) looks to have been plotted up for this by his shrewd handler and represents one of Ireland’s best chances of a winner on day three. Tom Taafee’s charge showed plenty of battling qualities when getting the better of a three-way go at Fairyhouse last time out and he looks the just the type for the hustle and bustle nature of this contest. Hopefully, the first-time cheekpieces will help the Old Vic gelding keep his mind on the job in the early stages of the contest and with the step up in trip likely to play into his strengths, it would be disappointing if he fails run up to expectations.

RYANAIR CHASE
TRANQUIL SEA arrives here on the back of a smooth performance at Leopardstown last time out and rates a decent bet to follow up his C&D victory in the Paddy Power Chase earlier in the season. The way Edward O’Grady’s inmate trounced the opposition back here in November left a lasting impression on the memory and with everything gone well in his preparation according to connections’ recent bulletin, the son of Sea Raven looks set fair to put up a bold show.

LADBROKES WORLD HURDLE
Not many major players from the away squad but there’s half a chance that POWERSTATION can sneak into the frame at a big price. Placed in each of the last three festivals, Eamon O’Connell’s charge proved good enough to finish third in this race last season and with the ground drying out in his favour in the build up to the race, there’s decent chance he can keep up his great record at this track.

BYRNE GROUP CHASE
IN COMPLIANCE probably isn’t quite the force of old but he’s certainly done enough this campaign to figure in the finish of this contest granted normal luck in running. Dessie Hughes’ charge has a victory over War Of Attrition against his name in Grade 1 company back in 2006 and although he’s not quite up to that standard nowadays, all but one of his four performances since he came back from injury have all indicated he stills retains plenty of class.

KIM MUIR
FALTERING FULLABACK has made a bright start to his chasing career and is worth more than a second glance with a decent pilot on his back in the amateur-rider’s Gold Cup. Eric McNamara’s charge made the perfect start to his life over fences with a smooth success at Limerick and although he’s failed to register another win in three subsequent starts, it’s fair to say the ground has been against him on each occasion. The son of Double Trigger didn’t run too badly despite heavy conditions hindering his cause last timeout and he wouldn’t be the world’s worst 16/1 in an open race now everything seems to be in his favour.

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