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Cheltenham Tipping Competition: Day Three (or is two-and-a-half?)

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Graham Cunningham was the only one left smiling after the Festival opener - but will he be happy at the end of mega-Thursday as our tipsters go toe-to-toe again...

The tipsters' banks:

Graham - £1255.75
Wayne - £910 (£25 still riding on Ruby Walsh for top jockey)
Simon - £830
Nick - £770

Graham Cunningham

You're only supposed to blow the bloody doors off.

Sadly, the Gloucestershire gales did a lot more than that at Cheltenham on Wednesday, but as a result we have a spectacular ten-race Thursday extravaganza which will inspire some punters and leave others on bended knee by 6pm.

I'll kick off with a small lay of Over The Creek in the 12.30. Oscar Park win and place looks a fair shout in the 1.05, while a small lay of Pomme Tiepy is worthwhile in the same race given that she is in much deeper than before.

A dry night would help Twist Magic in the Champion Chase at 2.20, while in the Ryanair at 2.55 I am pro The Listener and anti L'Antartique.

A place lay of My Way de Solzen and a place back of stablemate Blazing Bailey could be the answers to the World Hurdle at 3.30, while Noir Et Vert is one I have had my eye on all week for the 5.15.

Last but not least is Zaarito, who must go well in the concluding bumper at 5.50. It promises to be a thrilling ride. Good luck with your trades and don't forget to join me and my showbiz chums on Betfair Radio to savour the ups and downs.

Graham's day three thoughts:

12.30 - £25 win lay Over The Creek
1.05 - £25 win and £25 place Oscar Park
1.05 - £30 win lay Pomme Tiepy
2.20 - £40 place and £15 win Twist Magic
2.55 - £25 win and £25 place The Listener
2.55 - £40 place lay L'Antartique
3.30 - £25 place back Blazing Bailey
3.30 - £25 place lay My Way de Solzen
5.15 - £15 win and place back Noir Et Vert
5.50 - £35 win and place back Zaarito

* * *

Wayne Bailey

The weather spoiled the party on Tuesday, but now we've a feast to look forward to over the next two days.

Peter O'Sullevan National Hunt Chase - Pass It On can continue Jonjo O' Neill's domination of this race. He's a big price too.

Royal & Sun Alliance - There's value to be had in opposing the favourite here with the overpriced Joe Lively and Silverburn.

Jewson Novices' Handicap - A race for up-and-coming chasers, and Something Wells has plenty of potential. With four places up for grabs I like his price.

Queen Mother Champion Chase - Master Minded may be the next big thing for Nicholls and can take this. Also, Mansony is overpriced on the exchanges at 20/1.

Ryanair Chase - Course form is key here, and L'Antrartique can cause an upset.

World Hurdle - Inglis Drever can make it three in a row.

Racing Post Plate - French-bred horses do particularly well in this, and Palarshan is worth a few to win and place.

Pertemps Final - A tough race to call, but Ballyfitz can take some place money at least.

Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap - My Immortal gets a token vote in what's always a difficult puzzle.

Champion Bumper - Murphy's yard have been excited about Zaarito for some time, and he can deliver the goods today.

Wayne's Day Three fancies:

12.30 - Pass It On £10 to win and £10 to be placed
1.05 - Joe Lively and Silverburn, £10 on each in the place market
1.40 - Something Wells £10 win and £10 place
2.20 - Master Minded and Mansony £10 win on each, £10 place on each
2.55 - L'Antrartique £30 win and £10 place
3.30 - Inglis Drever £40 win
4.05 - Palarshan £10 win, £10 place
4.40 - Ballyfitz £20 place
5.15 - My Immortal £5 win
5.50 - Zaarito £50 win

* * *

Simon Rowlands

As you were! I did OK with my own bets on day one at the Festival and managed to break even on day two - which is a decent result - but find myself lagging behind in the Betfair Tipping Competition. We don't want excuses: we want profitable advice!

Let's start with a small place lay of Silverburn (1.05), who keeps being backed as if he is Denman, rather than Brother of Denman. He scored a soft victory last time and had been put in his place before that.

Finger Onthe Pulse is an interesting one in the 1.40: a smart hurdler who has been second in two Grade 2 novice chases and gets to run off a handy mark of 135. He looks worth supporting win and place.

I have been sweet on the chances of Tamarinbleu (2.20) for a long time now and regard him as one of the bets of the meeting now that the ground looks ideal. I'm hoping he'll go from the front and run his rivals ragged.

There is all sorts of buzz about the bumper but the market looks to have the right pair at the head of matters in Apt Approach and Zaarito (5.50). The former is a more likely winner in my book, while the latter has plenty of experience and looks a solid place-back proposition.

Simon's tips:

1.05 - Sliverburn place lay to lose £50
1.40 - Finger Onthe Pulse back £40 win and £40 place
2:20 - Tamarinbleu win back £100
5.50 - Apt Approach win back £50
5.50 - Zaarito place back £50

* * *

Nick Shiambouros

Pomme Tiepy is my selection in the 1.05 .I do not think this is the strongest renewal and this mare should go close.

In the 2.20 Master Minded should be crowned champion in this great race.He has the form in the book to win and is sure to go very close.

In the 2.55 Our Vic has plenty of form in the book and the addition of headgear is a positive in my opinion.

My banker of the week is Inglis Drever in the 3.30 .He is the clear form pick and has no dangers in this big field.

In the 4.40 Ballyfitz comes in to this race as one of the improvers and could run well at a price.

Noir Et Vert should run very well off the shelf in the 5.15 and does have some smart form in the book.

Nick's six:

1.05 - Pomme Tiepy £30 Win
2.20 - Master Minded £50 Win
2.55 - Our Vic £40 Win
3.30 - Inglis Drever £300 Win
4.40 - Ballyfitz £20 Win
5.15 - Noir Et Vert £30 Win