Course form is always an important factor to consider when trying to pick out winners, especially at Cheltenham. The track has a pronounced uphill climb towards the finish line and some horses don’t like it. Here we look at three horses running on Thursday with proven track records which could give them an advantage. We’ve combined them into a mammoth treble which could be very interesting. MyRacing will provide free tips for every race at the Cheltenham Festival and you can find Day 3’s selections here.
Springwell Bay (15/2, bet365) has only failed to make the frame once in six starts here at Cheltenham and has two wins to his name. Jonjo & A J O’Neill train this eight-year-old and he won a handicap here in very good style on New Years’ Day. A 9lb rise is significant but expected and the novice could have more up his sleeve.
Bob Olinger (20/1, bet365) isn’t quite the force he once was but the Henry de Bromhead-trained 10-year-old loves it round here. Technically unbeaten in three starts, he won the 2021 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle and benefitted from Galopin Des Champs’ fall in the Turners a year later. The return to Cheltenham is definitely a huge positive, as the track can revitalise him.
Ginny’s Destiny (10/1, bet365) raced almost exclusively at Cheltenham last season, winning three times in the process. Paul Nicholls’ gelding got the better of Grey Dawning in a novice chase here in December 2023 but the placings were reversed when the pair met in the Turners at the Festival. Still a more than respectable effort in the context of this race, he appears to be down to a nice mark. Things haven’t quite gone to plan this season but the handicapper has relented and he’s now in with a chance.
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