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As it happenedended

Cheltenham Festival 2017 as it happened: Betting tips, odds, action and results from Day Three

Re-live day three of the festival

Rob Plumbridge
Thursday 16 March 2017 13:13 GMT
Comments
unowhatimeanharry is the favourite for the Stayer's Hurdle at 3.30pm
unowhatimeanharry is the favourite for the Stayer's Hurdle at 3.30pm (Getty)

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Day three of the Cheltenham Festival is headlined by the Sun Bets Stayers’ Hurdle at 3.30pm on the traditional St Patrick’s Day – the day before the Gold Cup day.

Thursday’s racecard:

1.30 - JLT Novices’ Chase - Odds: 1-1 Yorkhill, 4-1 Top Notch, 9-2 Disko, 6-1 Politologue, 16-1 Flying Angel, 20-1 Kilcrea Vale.

2.10 - Pertemps Final (H’cap Hdle) - Odds: 13-2 Tobefair, 7-1 Presenting Percy, 8-1 Jury Duty, 10-1 El Bandit & For Good Measure & Impulksive Star, 12-1 Others.

2.50 - Ryanair Chase - Odds: 2-1 Un De Sceaux, 3-1 Empire Of Dirt, 7-2 Uxizandre, 7-1 Josses Hill & Sub Lieutenant, 20-1 Alary.

3.30 - Sun Bets Stayers' Hurdle - Odds: 5-4 Unowhatimeanharry, 13-2 Jezki, 8-1 Cole Harden, 8-1 Shaneshill, 10-1 Others.

4.10 - Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Handicap Chase - Odds: 9-2 Diamond King, 13-2 Starchitect, 10-1 Bouvreuil & Sizing Codelco, 12-1 Baron Alco & Thomas Crapper, 14-1 Others.

4.50 - Trull House Mares Nov Hdle - 11-8 Let's Dance, 3-1 Airlie Beach, 7-1 Forge Meadow, 8-1 La Bague Au Roi, 12-1 Asthuria & Barra, 25-1 Others.

5.30 - Kim Muir H’cap Chase - Odds: 6-1 Squouateur, 13-2 Mall Dini, 7-1 Southfield Royale, 10-1 Doctor Harper, 12-1 Another Hero & Premier Bond, 16-1 Others.

Follow the live action below…

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Tips:

1.30: Top Notch

2.10: El Bandit (e/w)

2.50: Un De Sceaux

3.30: Unowhatimeanharry

4.10: Diamond King

4.50: Let’s Dance

5.30: What’s Happening (e/w)

Where can I watch it?

The Cheltenham Festival will be shown live on ITV from 13:00. You can also follow the action with The Independent’s live blog here.

20 Minutes until the Ryanair, which is arguably the best race of the day. Let's have a look at the main players:

The story of this race surely is Mullins Vs Elliot, with the extra spice of the sponsors Ryanair whose owner Michael O'Leary, also owns Gigginstown Stud. He moved all of his horses out of Mullins' stable in the summer, many of which went to Elliot after a dispute over training fees.

Mullins would LOVE to land this and he trains the exuberant and extremely talented Un De Sceaux. It's his first try at the distance over fences, but has won at 2m5f over hurdles.

Gordon Elliot has Empire of Dirt, who won here 12 months ago. He's getting on at 10 year's old but should have a big say here.

Expect fireworks!

Jack Austin16 March 2017 14:40

RYANAIR CHASE LATEST BETTING:

Un De Sceaux 7/4, Empire of Dirt 3/1, Uxizandre 9/2, Sub Lieutenant 15/2

Jack Austin16 March 2017 14:41

Un De Sceaux looks very well within himself. Not the biggest, but boy can he jump.

Jack Austin16 March 2017 14:43

The big question for UDS here has to be the ground. Is it soft enough?

Jack Austin16 March 2017 14:45

They're off in the Ryanair!

Jack Austin16 March 2017 14:50

Uxixandre leads them up with a decent pace on as promised.

Jack Austin16 March 2017 14:51

UDS is a touch keen and Ruby has allowed him to pull his way into the lead.

Jack Austin16 March 2017 14:52

UDS is jumping well despite being keen, and he's decided to put it on the chasing group. Will he stay 2m5 at this pace? The chasing group are largely unchanged and all going ok.

Jack Austin16 March 2017 14:53

Empire of Dirt has had a reminder or two, UDS guesses at a fence or two.

Jack Austin16 March 2017 14:54

3 out and it's still UDS under Ruby! He's tanking here and he's got them at it!

Jack Austin16 March 2017 14:55

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