Cheltenham Festival Tips: Katie Midwinter's best bets on Thursday including 50/1 Jack Richards chance

• Katie Midwinter shares her selections on Stayers' Hurdle Day

• Previous Festival winner could pose a threat in Ryanair Chase

• Outsider shouldn't be discounted in novices' chase

• For the latest Cheltenham Betting odds click here

• Bet £10 get £10 on racing multiples every day of Cheltenham Festival

• Read our in-depth guide to the third day of the Cheltenham Festival

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Cheltenham Day 3 Superboost

Twelve-time Grade 1 winner Jonbon has been well-backed to win today's Ryanair Chase at 16:00, and the Betfair Sportsbook have generously super-boosted his price to 1/12.00 to finish in the first three.

The Nicky Henderson-trained stable star has never failed to finish out of the first two in all 26 career starts, and with the stable in hot form this week Jonbon should give followers an excellent run for their money

To take advantage of Thursday's Superboost just click on the odds in the below bet banner to go directly to the pre-loaded betslip.

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Another exciting day ahead on the third day of the Festival as the Stayers' Hurdle takes centre stage, along with the Ryanair Chase. A string of stars are on show as well as previous Festival winners including Fact To File, Bob Olinger, Impaire Et Passe and Teahupoo. Jonbon is bidding for his first win at this meeting for Nicky Henderson, hoping to add another prestigious accolade to his excellent record.

Two excellent mares are strong favourites in their respective races, both winners at last year's Festival. Bambino Fever lines up for Willie Mullins in the first whilst Woodhoh could prove very tough to beat later on the card.

Another fascinating day ahead featuring a multitude of talented horses, Thursday at Cheltenham is not to be missed.

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Mares' Novices' Hurdle, 13:20, Cheltenham - Back Full Of Life E/W @ 33/134.00

Henry de Bromhead has a decent recent record in this race and saddled surprise 16/117.00 winner Air Of Entitlement to victory twelve months ago. Full Of Life is an interesting contender for team Knockeen this time around, on the back of a Grade Three success over subsequent Grade One runner-up Carrigmoornaspruce.

The seven-year-old mare has been seen over fences since winning her maiden hurdle at Tramore during the summer, finishing fourth at Kilbeggan over the intermediate trip, before chasing home Relieved Of Duties in an extended two mile chase at Fairyhouse. She's a point winner, but has shown her efficiency over timber and has an interesting profile coming into the race having taken a different route to her rivals, gaining different experiences in the process. 

She has shown to be highly effective over the minimum trip as a hurdler, however, and the form of her latest win could hardly be any better.

The mare she beat is a promising talent who has already franked the form and holds strong claims herself in this race, providing substance to the form and further enhancing Full Of Life's chances.

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Mares' Novices' Hurdle, 13:20, Cheltenham - Back Kingston Queen E/W @ 25/126.00

Kingston Queen holds an each-way chance, too, particularly if it turns into a stiff test of stamina. She drops down in trip following a gutsy Grade Two win at Warwick last month, when she fought back to beat White Noise by three-quarters-of-a-length.

The likeable grey had previously finished third to Old Park Star at Cheltenham, following a seven-length defeat of now 135-rated subsequent Grade Two winner Kripticjim in a Chepstow maiden. In bumpers, she landed Listed honours at Market Rasen, beating a number of promising types including Charisma Cat, having previously been narrowly denied by Baron Noir at Plumpton, before going on to finish third in Grade Two company at Aintree to Seo Linn.

With valuable experience in her favour, Kingston Queen shouldn't be discounted at a price, capable of making the frame if on a going day and the race pans out to suit.

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Jack Richards' Novices' Chase, 14:00, Cheltenham - Back Jordans Cross @ 15/28.50

Course-and-distance winner Jordans Cross impressed to beat Quebecois, who enhanced the form in the Ultima, on Trials Day at Cheltenham. He's up 6lb for that win, but could still be on an upward trajectory in only his fifth start over fences, his eighth lifetime outing.

The Point winner is yet to finish outside of the first two when completing a race, falling in his first trip to Prestbury Park. He has four wins from seven to his name, running consistently well throughout his career.

This will be the toughest test he has faced, and the biggest field too, but there could be plenty more to come from the likeable performer and he has proven course form in his favour.

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Jack Richards' Novices' Chase, 14:00, Cheltenham - Back Where's My Jet E/W @ 50/151.00

Where's My Jet ran well for a long way when sixth to Backmersackme at the Dublin Racing Festival, putting in a good effort at odds of 33/134.00 under Brian Hayes. He had struggled for form in prior appearances over fences, but had been running in races won by the likes of Romeo Coolio and Kitzbuhel, gaining valuable experience likely to hold him in good stead in future.

Last term, the Closutton representative finished second to The Yellow Clay at Grade Three level as a novice hurdler, following on from a brace of wins at Killarney and Listowel respectively. He was absent for 321 days following his latest run over hurdles, before embarking on a career over the larger obstacles, and has taken some time to warm up to the task so far this season. 

His latest run was eye-catching, however, and he could be worth keeping onside from a mark of 133. It's a potentially lenient rating considering the ceiling of his ability is unknown and he's still unexposed in handicap company, as well as having previous experience in the point-to-point sphere.

One to note for Willie Mullins, who is, surprisingly, yet to saddle a handicap chase winner at the Festival, Where's My Jet could create a bit of history if he is to return in front on Tuesday afternoon.

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Mares' Hurdle, 14:40, Cheltenham - Back Jetara E/W @ 20/121.00

Equipped with first-time blinkers, eight-year-old mare Jetara shouldn't be discounted at a price for Jessica Harrington. She finished fourth to Lossiemouth in last year's renewal, well beaten by the eventual winner who has since won a Champion Hurdle, but wasn't too far behind third-placed Take No Chances. The lack of eight runners means there's only two places available, therefore Jetara will need to improve plenty on her latest starts to have a chance of making the frame, however, with experience in the race from last year and dropping back in trip, she could be capable of a better showing.

Noted when available at generous odds of 66/167.00 in an antepost Festival longshot column last month, Jetara remains one to note at a price of 25/126.00 and could be able to spring a small surprise by at least landing a place.

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Stayers' Hurdle, 15:20, Cheltenham - Back Bob Olinger @ 13/27.50

Reigning champion Bob Olinger has proven form in the race in his favour as he attempts to retain his crown in the Stayers' Hurdle. He beat previous winner Teahupoo in last year's renewal, but has since been beaten by the same rival by seven-lengths when last seen at Leopardstown.

That was his sole run of this term so far, but he could have more to give and has a great record at Cheltenham, bidding for his fourth Festival win.

Unbeaten at this venue, Bob Olinger is a strong each-way contender, likely to be in the mix once again. He put in an excellent performance twelve months ago, and a similar effort should see him go close this time around too.

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Ryanair Chase, 16:00, Cheltenham - Back Impaire Et Passe E/W @ 6/17.00

Whilst Fact To File will be tough to beat in the Ryanair Chase, Impaire Et Passe is far from a forlorn hope and is at his best over this intermediate distance. The son of Diamond Boy is a previous Festival winner, having put in a hugely impressive performance to beat Gaelic Warrior as a novice hurdler in 2023.

Since then, he has landed another four Grade One contests, including two over fences, and could be capable of showing even further improvement in only his seventh start over the larger obstacles. He is four from six as a chaser, and is a likeable type capable of putting in a bold bid under Paul Townend.

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Pertemps Network Final, 16:40, Cheltenham - Back Minella Sixo E/W @ 20/121.00

Having snuck into the race with a close second to Melbourne Shamrock at Naas recently, Minella Sixo holds solid each-way claims coming into this competitive contest for Gordon Elliott.

From a mark of 137, he could be able to pose a threat having shown ability at a high level earlier in his career. He finished second to Potters Charm at Cheltenham as a novice hurdler, before chasing home Pray Tell in Grade Three company, then achieving third to The Big Westerner in a Limerick Grade Two.

There's substance to his form and, following a few below par efforts earlier in the term, showed he still retains plenty of ability when well backed into 4/15.00 in his latest outing. He stuck to the task well that day, finishing strongly, and there could be better days ahead for him this season after a quiet campaign so far.

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Pertemps Network Final, 16:40, Cheltenham - Back Ikarak E/W @ 40/141.00

Olly Murphy-trained Ikarak has been running consistently well since joining Olly Murphy, winning four from eight runs, rising from a mark of 117 to his current rating of 133. He could still be on an upward curve, and may be capable of putting in a competitive effort with a favourable trip in this contest. 

Now 6lb higher than his last win, the rise in weights may not be enough to deter his progression. He has shown toughness and resilience in his races, as shown when fighting back to beat Spike Jones on his reappearance in November, and that attitude should hold him in good stead in a race of this nature. 

At odds of 33/134.00, Ikarak warrants each-way consideration, capable of putting in a bold bid under the champion jockey Sean Bowen.

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Kim Muir Challenge Cup, 17:20, Cheltenham - Back Kim Roque @ 8/19.00 (NAP)

Unexposed gelding Kim Roque has made only three starts for Joseph O'Brien since joining from France, finishing second to Kdeux Saint Fray on debut over two-and-a-half-miles here, before achieving a fourth-placed finish in competitive company behind Glengouly in December. 

He was fifth in another competitive handicap at the Dublin Racing Festival when last seen, again gaining valuable experience and performing with credit, and, from only a 3lb higher mark of 131, could be well treated at the weights.

The six-year-old has the scope for plenty of further improvement and had already shown ability for his former trainer Daniela Mele, including when finishing second over 2m6f in his last run for his previous yard. There are some stayers in his family including Harmonie Roque, who finished third in a Listed chase run over an extended 3m7f, and this step up in trip could bring out more from a horse who appears to be potentially well treated from his current rating.

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Back Jordans Cross (14.00 Cheltenham) and Bob Olinger (15.20 Cheltenham) in a double 

Betfair is offering Bet £10 Get £10 on Racing Multis each day of the Cheltenham Festival, and the multi that makes the most appeal on Thursday is a double including Jordans Cross in the Jack Richards' Novices' Chase and Bob Olinger in the Stayers' Hurdle. Both have previous course form in the favour which should hold them in good stead and represent value at the prices, capable of putting in good performances. 

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Now read Sam Turner's latest tips here!

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