Cheltenham Day Three Tips: Spring Heeled can jump to victory at a big price

I'll cut straight to the chase - the biggest race of the day at 15:20 goes straight into the "no bet" bin I am afraid.

For personal reasons, I would love Big Buck's to silence the doubters and win his fifth World Hurdle. But I can fully see why people are questioning whether the 11yo still has it in him, especially giving 7lb to what could be the next wonder horse in Annie Power.

But can I get excited about Annie Power at around the 7-4 mark - and I appreciate she could go a lot shorter still - in what is certainly no two-runner race?
 
No.

It wouldn't surprise me at all if Paul Nicholls won the race with one of his other three horses, there is confidence behind Rule The World, and I was very impressed by More Of That last time. So whichever way I turn, my head, heart and wallet says just watch what promises to be a classic without a financial interest.

Cheltenham 14:40 - Boston Bob

I am not sure that it has been reported anywhere - or indeed whether it is true -  but I have heard that leading Ryanair Chase contenders Dynaste and Boston Bob have had breathing operations after disappointing runs last time.

Dynaste is the one to beat on the form he showed when splitting Cue Card and Silviniaco Conti in the Betfair Chase, but you do have to forgive him a dire run in the King George last time, choke or no choke, and you also have to remember that he was summarily mastered by Benefficient in the Jewson last year.

I think Al Ferof has big questions to answer and I can't have it at the price, but I am going to trust in the magic of Willie Mullins and go for Boston Bob at odds or 13.012/1 or greater.

He was very disappointing over hurdles last time but, breathing op or no breathing op since, then I have to give him a chance at double-figure odds back over fences in a race that lacks a stand-out performer.

He didn't look slow when winning over 2m4f at Punchestown on his reappearance, and he is a top-class chaser in waiting if his jumping holds up, and I take him to gain compensation for his last-fence fall in the RSA here last year, when he was in front and looking the likeliest winner.

A footnote. I have backed Menorah at 16-1 ante-post, and wouldn't put anyone off him for a saver at around 10-1, as well. Heprobably deserves to be a bit shorter.

Cheltenham 13:30 - Double Ross

Classy handicappers tend to be under-rated when running in Grade 1 company, even if their form puts them in with every chance and I think that is the case with Double Ross in JLT at 13:30.

He doesn't have the sexy profile of others from the top yards, but there is no denying that he loves it round here, is effective on good ground - for all that connections feel that he is best with plenty of dig - and you shouldn't underestimate the merit of his second to Wishfull Thinking off a mark of 148 here last time.

Back him at odds of 17.016/1 or greater.

Cheltenham 14:05 - If In Doubt

Richard Johnson is very sweet on the chances of Fingal Bay in the Pertemps Final at 14:05 but go and have a look at the race he won last time, and your eyes are immediately drawn to the horse he beat ½ length at Exeter, stablemate If In Doubt.

Not only he is 1lb better off today, I think it is fair to say that If In Doubt wasn't unduly punished there and the JP McManus-owned horse is the one for me at odds of 9.08/1.

Cheltenham 16:00 - Giorgio Quercus

I have backed Tap Night at 14-1 ante-post in the Byrne Plate but I cannot resist going in on again with Giorgio Quercus at odds of 30.029/1.

That looks a massive price for a horse who beat recent Kempton scorer Bally Legend last time out in November, and he only races off a 6lb higher mark here.

Granted, he hasn't shone on his previous visits to Cheltenham and he could be better going right-handed - though he has won at Haydock - but he will appreciate the ground and he is well worth chancing at the price.

Cheltenham 16:40 - Spring Heeled

I am going to round off the day with a decent punt on Spring Heeled in the Kim Muir at 16:40 at odds of 19.018/1.

Forget his last run, as he needs this better ground, and he didn't last home previously when a non-staying 7-1 chance for a 3m3f110yd handicap here in November.

But that was still a very promising run - he was still bang there going to 2 out - and he could be off an attractive mark judged on his second to good subsequent winner Double Seven at Limerick in October. 
 
Over this trip on good ground and off a mark 138, he looks set to go very close if his jumping holds up.

You can read my Cheltenham 2016 Day 3 Tips behind the link.

Recommended Bets

Back Double Ross @ 17.016/1 or bigger in the 13:30
Back If In Doubt @  9.08/1 in the 14:05 
Back Boston Bob @ 13.012/1 or bigger in the 14:40
Back Giorgio Quercus @ 30.029/1 or bigger in the 16:00
Back Spring Heeled @ 19.018/1 or bigger in the 16:40