Runners aplenty ahead of a strong Stayers Hurdle

If The Cap Fits (far side) landing the Stayers Hurdle at Aintree in 2019 but has been disappointing over fences since.

 

At the halfway point of the Festival we have already seen some very impressive performances from both horse and rider, in particular Rachel Blackmore aboard the likes of Honeysuckle. She still has fair mounts to come, including Allaho and A Plus Tard. Day three however poses some very tricky puzzles, but I have a few ante-post tickets to discuss below and hopefully land one or two like Tuesday!

1.55 - Pertemps Handicap Hurdle Final:

A fiendishly difficult puzzle most years and this renewal is no exception, with a few of last years runners trying again including the legend Unowhatimeanharry and Kansas City Chief, who ran well above his station that day. The one I like here though is Come On Teddy for Tom George and Johnny Burke, who hasn't been seen since his third place finish at Warwick in a qualifier for this behind Imperial Alcazar, who he faces again here. He was hampered on the bend that day as well, allowing Paddy Brennan aboard the winner to get away and by the time he was out in the clear, the bird had flown. Two major positives are the better ground, something he's not tried very often but I feel will suit, and also his previous Cheltenham win here earlier this season in impressive fashion, and importantly on the New course. He has a big chance.

2.30 - Ryanair Chase:

What a race this is. Loads of Festival form, nice post-scripts such as Amy Murphy and Dashel Drasher and a horse who deserves a Cheltenham win in Melon. I thought I'd make a case for a forgotten horse in Real Steel for Paul Nicholls. Rewind twelve months and he travelled like a dream in the Gold Cup, looking for a second as though he may even shake up Al Boum Photo, before as expected beforehand, fading up the run-in. He was trained by Willie Mullins back then and having moved to Ditcheat, he needed his first run at Ascot, described by his trainer as a "fact-finding mission". Onto the King George where he travelled well for a long time before bleeding and ultimately pulling up. Paul Nicholls says he has changed his routine and has been doing some great bits of work so that'll do for me at around 20/1. Tornado Flyer was in my horses to follow list at the start of the season and he could run above himself too.

3.05 - Stayers Hurdle:

I think it's a case of whether or not you fancy Paisley Park to be on a good day, like he was here two years ago. He seems fine this season too after his heart scare in this race last year and it would be a great sight to see him regain his crown. Last year's winner Lisnagar Oscar ran a much better race at Haydock last time and he will go well here but I like the chances of If The Cap Fits at the prices. Chasing has been a bit of a write-off for him as he now reverts back to hurdles, in a discipline that he is a Grade 1 winner. Interestingly he wears a tongue strap for the first time together with the reapplied cheekpieces, and with the potential of a burn-up with Sam Spinner, Flooring Porter and Lil Rockerfeller, he could just outstay them as he will keep galloping all the way. Sire Du Berlais would be my idea of the safest conveyance with his great course record.

I want to also give a small mention for Mighty Blue in the 4.15, in a race which I think will suit her down to the ground. She is still a maiden, but a very smart one and a big run at each way odds is by no means out of the question.

More great sport to look forward to.

Be lucky!