1.30pm: JLT Novices’ Chase (2m4f)

The recent rain that has hit Prestbury Park has tempted connections of TERREFORT to take their chance and the Scilly Isles winner comes here with potential for further improvement to come.

For each-way supporters, Kemboy may represent a little bit of value as his form over hurdles looks pretty strong and his jumping, apart from the last when he won at Fairyhouse, has been very solid.

2.10pm: Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle (3m)

Louis’ Vac Pouch has been saved for this since winning an Aintree qualifier in the autumn where he got the better of FORZA MILAN but Jonjo O’Neill’s gelding looks to potentially have more to offer over 3m and ground conditions will be no concern to this full-brother of last year’s Grand National winner One For Arthur.

Others worthy of consideration include Who Dares Wins, runner-up in the Coral Cup last year, and top weight Thomas Campbell who should prove to be happier back in handicap company.

 

2.50pm: Ryanair Chase (2m5f)

The race originally revolved around the star chaser of the north Waiting Patiently and whether he took his chance in this having proven himself to be decent in the Ascot Chase when getting the better of CUE CARD. In the absence of Ruth Jefferson’s horse, the 12-year-old holds a very realistic chance of winning the race for a second time having done so five years ago.

Standing in the way of a fairytale result is last year’s winner Un De Sceaux who arrives here having won both his starts this season but the form of those performances aren’t particularly strong and the Ryanair he won last year has only produced one other winner since.

 

3.30pm: Stayers’ Hurdle (3m)

The Jedd O'Keeffe-trained Sam Spinner is a leading fancy thanks to his victory in the Long Walk, while Nigel Twiston-Davies's stable stalwart The New One is set to tackle three miles for the first time as he makes his seventh consecutive appearance at the Festival.

UNOWHATIMEANHARRY was sent off 5-6 favourite for this race 12 months ago but was touched off in the end by Nichols Canyon. Harry Fry’s ten-year-old can run a big each-way race you feel this year flying just off the radar.

 

4.10pm: Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Plate (2m5f)

Gordon Elliott has been bullish about the chances of THE STORYTELLER and nominated this as the target recently. He was favourite for the Martin Pipe before a setback curtailed his season.

 

4.50pm: Trull House Mares Novices’ Hurdle (2m1f)

The banker of day three looks to be LAURINA who has looked very good in this division having won a maiden at Tramore and a Grade 3 contest at the end of January at Fairyhouse by 11 lengths.

The form of that has worked out subsequently with the runner-up bolting up at the Dublin Racing Festival in a handicap and there is little in the way of opposition to Willie Mullins’ mare.

 

5.30pm: Kim Muir (3m2f)

Several of these will have been laid out for this contest with familiar names like Mall Dini, Squouateur and Pendra all looking likely to do battle against one another again.

The trio all have concerns to overcome. Mall Dini is yet to win a race over fences and shaped in this last year as though a step up in trip would suit better, Squouateur has been sent off favourite for a couple of big handicaps but has ultimately disappointed each time, while Pendra has a 365 day absence to overcome and threw this race away last year.

One horse who definitely catches the eye in this is MISSED APPROACH.

He possesses valuable Festival form with his second to Tiger Roll in the National Hunt Chase, has been running consistently throughout the season, and has had a wind-op since his last start which could bring about further improvement.

 

*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*

Steven is a sports and horse racing enthusiast and is a member of the Horseracing Writers and Photographers Association (HWPA) in the United Kingdom.

He is a regular visitor to Paris Longchamp for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and a lifelong fan of the Aintree Grand National, a subject he writes about 52 weeks of the year. Last year he reached the impressive milestone of attending the last 30 renewals of the Grand National.